Concentration of Elements in Marine Zooplankton from Coastal Waters of Boso Peninsula, Japan

Abstract

Concentrations were determined for 14 elements in zooplankters, which were collected along the Pacific coast of central Japan (Boso Peninsula) from October 1991 to August 1992. Analyses were conducted by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry on 5 separate species of Copepoda, 2 cladoceran species and other taxonomic groups including fish eggs. Less variable concentrations were noted for most elements (e. g. Ca, P and Sr) among different species or groups, except for cladocerans and fish eggs which had higher concentrations of some major elements (K, Mg and Na). Negative correlations were found between the concentration factors determined and oceanic residence time of elements.