Mohamed, Fathimath2015-10-082015http://hdl.handle.net/10092/11125http://dx.doi.org/10.26021/6655Elevated levels of trace elements in the environment are of great concern because of their persistence, and their high potential to harm living organisms. The exposure of aquatic biota to trace elements can lead to bioaccumulation, and toxicity can result. Furthermore, the transfer of these elements through food chains can result in exposure to human consumers. Sea-fill or coastal fill sites are among the major anthropogenic sources of trace elements to the surrounding marine environment. For example, in the Maldives, Thilafushi Island is a sea-fill site consisting of assorted municipal solid waste, with multiple potential sources of trace elements. However, there is limited data on environmental trace element levels in the Maldives, and although seafood is harvested from close to this site, there is no existing data regarding trace element levels in Maldivian diets. Following the Christchurch earthquakes of 2011,enCopyright Fathimath MohamedSea-fillMunicipal solid wasteTrace element contaminationSedimentSeawaterAquatic food chainThilafushi IslandMaldivesLyttelton HarbourNew ZealandGreen-lipped musselCocklePipiSpottyWrasseCancer crabBioaccumulationBiomagnificationTrophic transfer potentialMPIPTWIRisk assessmentSolid phase extractionTheses / Dissertations