The Role of Biodetritus in Accumulation of Elements in Aquatic Ecosystems

Abstract

Biodetritus that formed over a 7-month period in microcosms with Viviparus viviparus, Unio pictorum, and Ceratophyllum demersum contained a number of elements. This is the first study to determine concentrations of some elements in biodetritus. Neutron activation analysis showed that the elements' concentrations decrease in the following order: Ca > Zn > Ba > Ce > Se > Nd > La > U > Hf > Sb > Sm > S > Cs > Au. The data obtained contribute to understanding of the polyfunctional role of aquatic organisms in aquatic ecosystems. © 2010 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.