From individuals to ecosystems: the importance of subcellular metal distributions to toxicity and trophic transfer in metal-impacted marine benthic communities
In some cases, however, internal sequestration of metals via metal-binding proteins and/or metal-rich concretions (both involved in detoxification) may confer increased tolerance or resistance. Prof. Wallace has demonstrated that the subcellular storage of metal within prey plays a key role in controlling metal trophic transfer: metals bound to proteins and organelles are highly available to predators upon ingestion, whereas metals stored in concretions have much reduced availability.
Because subcellular metal storage can be species- and population-dependent, the composition of metal-impacted benthic communities may influence the bioavailability and trophic transfer of metals to predators. Communities dominated by species or populations relying on detoxification via metal-binding proteins may enhance trophic transfer, while those storing metals primarily in metal-rich concretions (similar to kidney stones) may reduce food-chain transfer. These metal-handling strategies have consequences at both the individual level (tolerance vs toxicity, altered metabolism, behavior, and growth) and the population level (persistence, reduced abundance, or absence from impacted environments).
As a result, community composition of marine benthic systems—shaped by species- and population-specific metal-handling strategies—has the potential to influence ecosystems by controlling metal trophic transfer from prey to predator. Although prey-dependent processes are central to this control, predator-dependent factors such as digestive strategies may also contribute. Professor Wallace and the Wallace Research Group have explored the ecological importance of subcellular metal distribution and trophic transfer since ~1999. This talk will review these studies, along with related work by other researchers who have applied the methods and approaches developed by Professor Wallace and his students.
THis is a CLUE event.
