Heavy metals in a stream ecosystem at sites near highways

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Trans. Am. Fish. Soc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8659(1980)109<636:HMIASE>2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:6528661

Van Hassel, J H; Ney, J J; Garling, D L

Water, sediment, benthos, and fish samples from Back Creek, a soft-water stream in southwestern Virginia, were analyzed to determine whether highway proximity and traffic density influence heavy metal content. Concentrations of lead, zinc, nickel, and cadmium were low in streamwater samples collected from three sites adjacent to highways of low moderate traffic volumes. Sediment concentrations of these metals correlated significantly with traffic density, as did whole body concentrations in benthic insects and fish. Seasonal variation in heavy metal content was evident only in sediment. Long-term field investigations of community dynamics are recommended as a means of assaying the threat to aquatic ecosystems posed by highway-generated heavy metal contamination.

• Research Organization: Virginia Polytechnic Inst and State Univ
• OSTI ID: 6528661
• Journal Information: Trans. Am. Fish. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: Trans. Am. Fish. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 109:6; ISSN TAFSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring &amp; Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BENTHOS
CADMIUM
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
FISHES
LEAD
METALS
NICKEL
POLLUTION
ROADS
SEDIMENTS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERTEBRATES
WATER POLLUTION
ZINC