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Many of the these materials are found in the foods concentrated many thousands of times over their concentration in seawater. The values for phosphorus are the best example of this. Such high concentrations in foods are often normal and necessary. For example, phosphorus is found in all organisms as a component of proteins and the energy transfer systems. However, the high concentrations of phosphorus in proteinaceous foods means that over very short periods of time, an aquarist who is feeding regularly and heavily may add very significant amounts of this element to their systems. The same is true of many trace elements. Additionally, Atkinson and Bingman (1999) indicated that most synthetic seawater mixes have abnormally high concentrations of many trace materials. Regular feeding or supplement addition may significantly boost such trace materials even higher. Consequently, the use of additives containing significant amounts of trace elements is unnecessary and potentially
dangerous.

The following trace or minor materials were found concentrated in some products from 100 to 100,000 times their concentration in natural sea water: cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, silver, tin, titanium, vanadium and zinc.

While necessary in very low concentrations, concentrations of some of these materials exceeding natural levels will be toxic to some organisms. The data in this study and Atkinson and Bingman (1999) indicate that water changes may well be necessary in reef aquaria to reduce abnormally high concentrations of some trace materials. I will leave to the reader the examination of these materials on a case-by-case basis.