FURTHER EVIDENCE OF HIGH CADMIUM AND ZINC LEVELS IN BULLIA (NASSARIIDAE) FROM THE CAPE WEST COAST

SUMMARY

Abnormally high cadmium concentrations in the tissues of Bullia digitalis from Ou Skip, on the west coast of the Cape Province, are confirmed, while high zinc levels are reported for the first time. Values of cadmium and zinc in B. rhodostoma from the south coast are similar to those reported by previous authors, being about 25 per cent of the levels recorded from Ou Skip. The two species do not differ markedly in their abilities to accumulate the two metals. There is a close correlation between cadmium and zinc concentrations on both west and south coasts. A possible association of high tissue levels with cells of upwelling water is briefly discussed.