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:6644827

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

Concentrations of lead, zinc, nickel, and cadmium were low in streamwater samples obtained quarterly over 1 year at three sites adjacent to highways of low to moderate traffic volumes (<50, 6550, and 15,000 vehicles per day). Sediment concentrations of lead, nickel, and zinc were highly correlated with traffic density. Stream sediments appeared to serve as the storage reservoir and primary source for bioconcentration of heavy metals. Whole body (dry weight) concentrations of heavy metals in benthic insects and fish were generally comparable to literature values for animals from contaminated waters. Lead concentrations in members of three benthic insect families were significantly correlated with traffic density, as were lead and zinc concentrations in three fish species. Two of the fish species also showed progressive increases in nickel and cadmium with traffic density. Seasonal variation in heavy metal content was evident only in sediment, with highest values during the spring period of maximum runoff.

• Research Organization: Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg
• OSTI ID: 6644827
• 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
560400 -- Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ARTHROPODS
CADMIUM
DEPOSITION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EXHAUST GASES
FISHES
FLUIDS
FOOD CHAINS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
LEAD
MASS TRANSFER
METALS
NICKEL
PARTICLE SIZE
QUANTITY RATIO
ROADS
RUNOFF
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SEDIMENTS
SENSITIVITY
SIZE
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VARIATIONS
VEHICLES
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
ZINC