Metals and metalloids in Antarctic krill and water in deep Weddell Sea areas

The study on the concentration of trace elements in Antarctic krill and in water in the deep areas of the Atlantic sector of the Antarctic was performed. Concentrations of 22 trace elements were studied to determine their spatial distribution in krill, and to assess the accumulation ability of the krill against 8 of them. The trace elements concentration in krill diminished in the following order: Fe > Cu > Zn > Bа > B > Se > As > Cr > Ni > Ag > Li > Mn > V > Mo > Cd > Co > Hg > Be. Concentrations of Pb, Ti, Tl, Sb were below their detection limits. Concentration factors of trace elements by krill varied from n × 102 to n × 104. The Cu and As concentrations in dry krill exceeded their MPC. Concentrations of all trace elements in wet mass of krill were not exceeded established regulative values. •Recent assessments of 22 trace elements in Antarctic krill were determined.•The higher concentration factor of krill for elements is an additional risk factor.•For dry weight of krill the copper and arsenic concentrations exceeded their MPC.•For wet weight of krill no one trace element reaching the regulative values•The fresh wet Antarctic krill can be considered as a high quality product.