Analysis of the contamination by and effects of highway-generated heavy metals on roadside stream ecosystems

Thesis/Dissertation · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:6943391

Mudre, J M

This study examined the consequences of the opening and operation of a new highway north of Richmond, Virginia with respect to contamination of the aquatic environment with heavy metals (Zn, Cd, and Pb), and the effects of these metals on the biota of roadside streams. Traffic densities on the highway averaged above 12,000 vehicles per day (vpd). Significant increases in the metals concentrations of sediment, benthic invertebrates, fish whole-bodies, and fish tissues (liver, kidney, and bone) were noted over the course of the study, although the increases varied in magnitude, and were not always consistent. Sediment metals concentrations followed a dynamic plateau. Fish whole-body concentrations of Cd and Pb increased steadily over the course of the study. A number of biotic parameters were investigated to determine whether metals contamination was affecting the biological integrity of the study sites. These were: benthic macroinvertebrate diversity and density; the percentage of the aquatic insect community that was composed of chironomids; and fish community diversity, density, and biomass. Only benthos density, the percent chironomids, and fish species diversity showed changes that could that could be related to metals contamination. Indications from spot sampling along the more heavily travelled highway were that if more contamination had been experienced, more biotic parameters would have been disturbed, and to a larger extent.

• Research Organization: Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6943391
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ARTHROPODS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
BONE TISSUES
CADMIUM
CONNECTIVE TISSUE
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
FISHES
GLANDS
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
KIDNEYS
LEAD
LIVER
METALS
ORGANS
ROADS
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES
ZINC