Sources and accumulation of trace metals in sediments and the asiatic clam, corbicula fluminea in two South Carolina watersheds. Final report

Technical Report · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:6739951

Pickett, J R

A survey of trace element concentrations in the benthic bivalve, Corbicula fluminea, was conducted on the Santee-Cooper River Basin, S.C. from 1989-1991 as part of a nonpoint source water quality assessment. Trace metal concentrations in clam tissues were examined in relation to temporal and spatial variations in river water and sediment. It was found that C. fluminea was a suitable bio-indicator for monitoring trace metal inputs within the basin. Solute concentrations of Cd, Cu and Zn underwent appreciable accumulation as demonstrated by strong solute vs. tissue correlations and high bioconcentration factors. Conversely, the bioavailability of trace elements to C. fluminea was not necessarily related to sediment concentrations, as correlations were not observed between trace elements in sediment and clam tissue. The differences in the bioavailability of metals observed between the watersheds was likely a function of physicochemical factors affecting the partitioning of metals between the water and sediment compartments.

• Research Organization: Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States). Div. of Water Reactor Safety
• OSTI ID: 6739951
• Report Number(s): PB-93-123974/XAB; CNN: DI-14-08-0001-1735
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ELEMENTS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
TRACE AMOUNTS
WATERSHEDS
WATER POLLUTION
CLAMS
CORRELATIONS
MONITORING
PARTITION FUNCTIONS
POINT POLLUTANT SOURCES
SEDIMENTS
SOUTH CAROLINA
TISSUES
WATER QUALITY
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BODY
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FUNCTIONS
INVERTEBRATES
MOLLUSCS
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION
POLLUTION SOURCES
USA
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)