Assessing mercury contamination in the Sudbury River with transplanted mussels
The authors transplanted freshwater mussels in downstream reaches of the Sudbury River, MA, to evaluate the bioavailability of methylmercury and potential impacts to resident species as a result of exposure to mercury. The potential mercury source is a former textile dye production plant situated near the Sudbury River in Ashland, MA, where mercury and chromium were used as catalysts in the production process from 1917 to 1978. Approximately 45 to 57 metric tons of mercury were released to the Sudbury River during plant operations. Numerous studies have been conducted since 1970 to assess mercury contamination in the river, but these studies focused on contamination in sediments, surface waters, and fish tissues with little emphasis on the overall impact of mercury contamination on natural resources. Freshwater mussels (Elliptio complanata) were collected from a pristine New England lake and transplanted to eight Sudbury River stations. Mussels (57--63 mm) were contained in flexible mesh bags (1 animal per cell; 3 replicates of 35 animals each per site) and deployed directly on top of the sediments. After a 12-week exposure period, mussels were retrieved and measured for changes in growth; tissues were analyzed for total mercury and methylmercury. Results of the study suggest that methylmercury is bioavailable in all portions of the river evaluated, with the wetland areas serving as a potential methylmercury source. Mussels transplanted to stations closest to the Nyanza Site had the lowest growth rates with individuals losing weight; growth rates increased downstream from the suspected source of mercury. There was no apparent relationship between tissue and sediment concentrations of methylmercury.
- OSTI ID:
- 203599
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9511137-; ISBN 1-880611-03-1; TRN: IM9614%%111
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) world conference, Vancouver (Canada), 5-9 Nov 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Second SETAC world congress (16. annual meeting): Abstract book. Global environmental protection: Science, politics, and common sense; PB: 378 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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