Abstract
Fish scale are always exposing to the aquifer environment, which is expected to be capable of reflecting the accidental release of environmental pollutants in the habitat. In this study, we applied the technique of Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to determinate the spatial distribution of multi-elements on different species of fish scales. It was found that, as expected, the growth history is straightforwardly recorded as the distinct distributions and the hot zones of alkaline earth elements (Ca, Sr, and Ba) on fish scales. Results from our further adsorption experiments clearly suggested that those heavy metal elements (Mn, Ni, Zn, Pb) would locate the fish scale periphery, which is different from the distribution patterns of those naturally calcified elements. From this point of view, it is clear that calcified fish tissues that are excellent biomonitor recording the release of environmental pollutions in their habitat.