Distribution, bioaccumulation, and trace element transfer among trophic levels in the southeastern Gulf of California.

Our understanding of the trophic transfer of pollutants in marine subtropical ecosystems remains limited due to the complexity of their food webs. Thus, we aimed to evaluate Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn sources, incorporation, and trophodynamics throughout the food web of the southeastern Gulf of California by stomach content analysis, stable isotope analysis, isotope mixing models, and trace element analysis in biological and environmental matrices. The food web comprised three main trophic guilds (TG1, TG2, and TG3). The bioaccumulation of Cd and Zn from seawater was efficient (> 1000) in TG2 and TG3. Bioaccumulation factor from sediment (BSAF >1) evidenced of Cd in all trophic guilds. In addition, non-trophic Cd relationships were identified in the food web. Based on the trophic magnification factor (TMF), Mn and Pb showed biodilution (TMF Mn = 0.38; TMF Pb = 0.16), while Cu and Zn exhibited biomagnification (TMF Cu = 2.08; TMF Zn = 3.31). [Display omitted] • Trophodynamics of Cd, Cu, Mb, Pb, and Zn were investigated in the Gulf of California • Efficient bioaccumulation of Cd and Zn from seawater was observed in TG2 and TG3 • Cd bioaccumulation from the sediment to organisms was evident across all trophic guilds. • Notable biodilution was observed for Mn and Pb throughout the food web. • Cu and Zn exhibited significant biomagnification within the Gulf of California's food web. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]