Trophic level accumulation of heavy metals in a coal ash basin drainage system

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1979 · Water Resour. Bull.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.1979.tb00304.x· OSTI ID:5324839

Guthrie, R K; Cherry, D S

The uptake of 10 hazardous chemical elements was measured in water, sediment, flyash effluent, and the major biotic components of the coal ash basin drainage system of the Savannah River Project powerplant. Concentrations were measured by neutron activation in organisms representing the different trophic levels that constitute the biotic community of the drainage system, including aquatic bacteria, algae, macrophytes, midges, dragonflies, crayfish, tadpoles, and fish. Water concentrations of all elements except cadmium, copper, and zinc, and sediment concentrations of all 10 elements were highest in the drainage system. Invertebrates generally concentrated high amounts of copper and zinc, although cadmium and mercury were accumulated most by crayfish. Selenium was selectively concentrated by bacteria, crayfish, and mosquitofish. Consequences of elemental concentrations in sediment and in specific trophic level groups are discussed. (1 diagram, 8 references, 1 table)

• Research Organization: Univ of Texas; Virginia Polytechnic Inst and State Univ
• OSTI ID: 5324839
• Journal Information: Water Resour. Bull.; (United States), Vol. 15:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
METALS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
WATER CHEMISTRY
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
COAL
FLY ASH
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
SEDIMENTS
WATERSHEDS
AEROSOL WASTES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTES
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)