Accumulation of sediment-associated viruses in shellfish

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5245959

Landry, E F ^[1]; Vaughn, J M; Vicale, T J; Mann, R

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1. Analytab Products, Inc., Plainview, NY

The present study focused on the importance of contaminated sediments in shellfish accumulation of human viruses. Epifaunal (Crassostrea virginica) and infanual (Mercenaria mercenaria) shellfish, placed on or in cores, were exposed to either resuspended or undisturbed sediments containing bound poliovirus type 1 (LSc 2ab). Consistent bioaccumulation by oysters (four of five trials) was only noted when sediment-bound viruses occurred in the water column. Virus accumulation was observed in a single instance where sediments remained in an undisturbed state. While the incidence of bioaccumulation was higher with resuspended rather than undisturbed contaminated sediment, the actual concentration of accumulated viruses was not significantly different from the accumulation of viruses from oysters residing on uninoculated sediments. When clams were exposed to undisturbed, virus-contaminated sediments, two of five shellfish pools yielded viral isolates. Bioaccumulation of undisturbed sediments by these bivalves was considered marginal when related to the concentration of virus in contaminated sediments; they would only represent a significant threat when suspended in the water column. Arguments were advanced for water-column sampling in the region of the water-sediment interface to provide an accurate determination of the virological quality of shellfish harvesting waters.

• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 5245959
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 45:1; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
550700* -- Microbiology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CLAMS
CONTAMINATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FIELD TESTS
INTERFACES
INVERTEBRATES
MICROORGANISMS
MOLLUSCS
OYSTERS
PARASITES
POLIO VIRUS
SEDIMENT-WATER INTERFACES
SEDIMENTS
TESTING
VIRUSES
WATER QUALITY