Metal concentration in oysters from the southern African coast

Journal Article · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01607711· OSTI ID:7090570

Watling, H R; Watling, R J

The survey presented of metal concentrations in Crassostrea margaritacea growing at 25 sites along a 500 km stretch of the South African coast was undertaken to provide data for the national marine pollution monitoring program and to supplement data from sediment and water sampling surveys of the estuaries in the region. Concentrations of Zn, Cd, Cu, Pb, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, and Cr in C. margaritacea were determined, and the data indicated that some contamination of Victoria Bay environment had occurred; oysters from this site had accumulated Zn, Pb, Ni, Cr, and possibly, Co. Oysters growing at the mouth of the Papenkuils River and the Swartkops River were also found to be contaminated with Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cr, to a lesser extent. C. margaritacea growing at the mouth of the Great Fish River unexpectedly had elevated Cu, Pb, and Cr concentrations. Because there are no urban or industrial developments along the river, it was likely that these elements are derived from leaching of mineralized sequences in the catchment, and a geochemical survey was recommended to ascertain the source of the metals. (JMT)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Port Elizabeth, South Africa
• OSTI ID: 7090570
• Journal Information: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States) Vol. 28:4; ISSN BECTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
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ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
AFRICA
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
COASTAL WATERS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
ESTUARIES
GEOCHEMICAL SURVEYS
INVERTEBRATES
METALS
MOLLUSCS
MONITORING
OYSTERS
POLLUTION
SAMPLING
SEDIMENTS
SOUTH AFRICA
SPECTROSCOPY
SURFACE WATERS
SURVEYS
WATER POLLUTION