Trace elements in two wetland plants (Maytenus phyllanthoides and Salicornia subterminalis) and sediment in a semiarid area influenced by gold mining

Trace element (TE) concentrations were determined in sediments and plants collected from an evaporite basin near the mining district of El Triunfo, Baja California Sur. The elements were measured using ICP-MS. The TE concentrations in arroyo banks and beach sediments are close to background levels. According to the criteria of toxicity (ERL and ERM), the evaporite basin sediments may cause harmful effects on marine biota due to high average concentrations of As (233 mg kg−1), Cd (10.5 mg kg−1), Pb (970 mg kg−1) and Zn (598 mg kg−1). In general, the TE concentrations in tissues of M. phylanthoides and Salicornia subterminalis, are less than sediment concentrations and follow the pattern: Zn>Cu>Cd>Pb>As>Sb. The average bioconcentration factor (BCF) values for almost all elements are very low (<1), except for Cu and Zn in root of S. subterminalis (BCF >1). The translocation factor (TF) values were <1 except for Cd in S. subterminalis.