Influence of Methylmercury from Tributary Streams on Mercury Levels in Savannah River Asiatic Clams
Average methylmercury levels in five Savannah River tributary streams sampled 11 times over two years were nearly twice as high as in the Savannah River. Total mercury levels in the tributaries did not differ significantly from the river. All of the tributaries drained extensive wetlands that would be expected to support comparatively high rates of methylation. Mercury concentrations in Asiatic clams (Corbicula fluminea) collected from the discharge plumes of Savannah River tributaries were significantly higher than in Asiatic clams collected from the Savannah River upstream from the tributary mouths . These results indicate that streams draining wetlands into coastal plain rivers can create localized areas of elevated methylmercury with resulting increases in the mercury levels of river biota.
- Research Organization:
- Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-96SR18500
- OSTI ID:
- 821691
- Report Number(s):
- WSRC-MS-2003-00489; STENDL; TRN: US200411%%604
- Journal Information:
- Science of the Total Environment, Other Information: PBD: 1 Mar 2004; ISSN 0048-9697
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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