Research program in determination of heavy metals in sediments and benthic species in relation to nuclear power plant operation

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6223936

Phelps, H L

Heavy metals in the estuarine environment can be toxic to fish and shellfish early life history stages and concentrations build up to levels of concern in marketable shellfish. The present survey was begun just before startup in 1974 of the 1900 megawatt Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant on the Chesapeake Bay in order to assess and understand factors relating to heavy metal accumulation in estuarine biota. Oysters were collected in large numbers at test and reference sites in June 1974 to 77 and individually analyzed for copper and zinc. Oyster copper and zinc concentrations were correlated with salinity read at time of collection. The relationship of oyster age to metal concentration was examined with two sets of oysters of known age and genetic origin (laboratory spawned). Copper sorption by typical mid Bay sediments, and field studies on cadmium concentrations in sediments were examined.

• Research Organization: District of Columbia Univ., Washington (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6223936
• Report Number(s): N-84-25195; NASA-CR-173537
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ESTUARIES
SEDIMENTS
METALS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
CHEMICAL EFFLUENTS
CHESAPEAKE BAY
COPPER
GROWTH
HEAT EXCHANGERS
MARYLAND
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
SALINITY
SORPTION
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BAYS
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION III
MASS TRANSFER
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
POWER PLANTS
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)