Fate of freshwater mussels transplanted to formerly polluted reaches of the Clinch and North Fork Holston rivers, Virginia
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., Blacksburg (USA)
The Clinch River in southwestern Virginia and eastern Tennessee contains roughly 45 species of freshwater mussels. However, environmental contaminants and toxic spills have eradicated mussels from a section of the river where the fauna was once diverse and abundant. Adult freshwater mussels (Unionidae) were translocated to reaches of the Clinch and North Fork Holston rivers in southwestern Virginia, where mussels had previously been eliminated by water pollution. A total of 3,872 adult mussels of seven species were translocated and monitored for up to four years. Annual declines of some species were roughly 10%, whereas other species appeared to decline much more rapidly. Losses were attributed largely to the high natural mortality of the older mussels that were translocated, as little active or passive movement of mussels from the sites was detected. Some mortality of mussels moved to the Clinch River may have been related to continuing perturbations in water quality. Site selection and the use of both young and adult cohorts appear to be key factors in the successful translocation of mussels. 20 refs., 2 figs., 3 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 6099223
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Freshwater Ecology; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Freshwater Ecology; (USA) Vol. 5:2; ISSN JFRED; ISSN 0270-5060
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FEDERAL REGION III
HABITAT
INVERTEBRATES
MOLLUSCS
MUSSELS
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION
RIVERS
SENSITIVITY
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
VIRGINIA
WATER POLLUTION