Spartina alternifloraas a potential source of heavy metals to the food chain of the sepetiba bay, Rio de Janiero, Brazil

Spartina alterniflora growing in Sepetiba Bay were investigated for their ability to take up Zn, Cd, Cr, Mn and Fe from sediments and their subsequent potential availablity to the food chains of the bay through litter. Zn, Cd, Cr in sediments were highest in Coroa Grande and confirm that this is an area highly influenced by anthropo genic releases. When comparing the two marshes, the mean metal mass per square meter in grass tissues found in Pedra de Guaratiba were higher than Coroa Grande. Although in the litter these values were quite similar and were potentially available, mainly in summer and fall when the grass reaches its peak of productivity.