Abstract

Although heavy metal concentrations fluctuate naturally in the environment, anthropogenic sources of heavy metal concentrations can mask and override natural fluctuations. Large anthropogenic metal concentrations can lead to deleterious effects in organisms, such as malformation or death. Indicator species can be used to determine environmental concentrations of certain metals to help understand the impacts of anthropogenic sources of heavy metal concentrations. The aim of this study was to determine if Pagurus samuelis may play a role as an indicator species by analyzing specimens for Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), and Zinc (Zn) found in tidepool seawater in locations along the Southern California coast. Seawater and P. samuelis samples were collected from both Cabrillo Beach and White Point Beach locations and analyzed using Microwave Plasma – Atomic Emission Spectrometer (MPAES). Pb concentrations were higher at Cabrillo Beach in seawater, while at White Point Beach, Zn concentrations were higher than at Cabrillo. All other metals were not significantly different between locations. In hermit crab samples, Cd was higher in crabs collected from Cabrillo Beach and Cr was higher in crabs collected from White Point Beach. In comparisons of seawater with hermit crab samples, seawater had higher concentrations of Zn and Cd, while hermit crab samples had higher concentrations of Cu for both locations. Hermit crabs had higher concentrations of Cr at White Point Beach. While this study does not provide conclusive evidence of P. samuelis as an indicator species, it does demonstrate differences in metal concentrations between locations and populations of P. samuelis. Although P. samuelis may not be negatively impacted by the heavy metal concentrations found in this study, bioaccumulation is a potential threat to predators higher up the trophic pyramid. Expanded studies are required to confirm or deny if P. samuelis is an acceptable, wide-ranging indicator species along the west coast of North America.

LLU Discipline

Biology

Department

Biology

School

School of Medicine

First Advisor

Stephen Dunbar

Second Advisor

David Hessinger

Third Advisor

Danilo Boskovic

Fourth Advisor

Wolff Kirsch

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

2019

Date (Title Page)

6-2019

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Anomura; Metals, Heavy; Seawater

Type

Thesis

Page Count

xii, 52 p.

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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Biology Commons

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