How to assess trace elements bioavailability for benthic organisms in lowly to moderately contaminated coastal sediments?

Abstract The bioavailability of trace elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn) in lowly to moderately contaminated coastal sediments from the Berre lagoon, France, was assessed by comparing their potentially bioavailable concentrations and bioaccumulated concentrations in the polychaete Alitta succinea. No linear correlations were observed contrarily to what is generally observed in similar works in areas with highly contaminated sediment. Correlations between trace and major elements (Fe, Ca, S, Mg, P, Al) in Alitta succinea tissues and their distribution in organism tissues show that, in such lowly to moderately contaminated sediments, biological variabilities should be considered. Normalization procedures allow to take into account these variabilities and to identify that sediment contamination is partly involved in the benthic ecosystem degradation of the Berre lagoon. Alitta succinea cannot be used as relevant bioindicator for Zn and Co bioavailability in sediment, since these elements are regulated by this organism. Highlights • In moderately contaminated sediments bioaccumulation is not correlated with the bioavailable form of contaminants in sediment • Biological variabilities of the target organism, such as the polychaeta Alitta succinea, must be considered • Geochemical measurement of major elements in organism tissues may allow normalization procedures • Sediment contamination in the Berre lagoon is partly involved in the benthic ecosystem degradation • Such method cannot be applied for biologically regulated trace elements (i.e., Co and Zn in this study) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]