The Cesium-Potassium Ratio and Trace Metal Biomagnification in Two Contaminated Marine Food Webs

Muscle tissue concentration ratios of cesium (Cs) to potassium (K) appear to be useful indicators of the biomagnification potential of marine food webs. Application of this technique indicated that two metals-rich ecosystems in southern California, the Salton Sea and the municipal wastewater discharge zone off Palos Verdes Peninsula, are sufficiently "structured" to permit food web magnification. Despite this, with the possible exception of mercury no significant biomagnification of the contaminant trace metals was observed.