The relationship of metal exposure and condition index in Potamocorbula amurensis in San Francisco Bay
- Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA (United States)
Trends in condition index were examined to assess the effects of metal exposure on the bivalve, Potamocorbula amurensis, in San Francisco Bay. P. amurensis is a euryhaline filter feeder used as a biosentinel of metal contamination in San Francisco Bay. Condition index, metal concentration, and metal content were determined monthly since November, 1990 at 6 sites. Condition index (Cl) is the weight of a 15 mm clam interpolated from the regression of weight and length at each site and time. The Cl was lower where metal concentration and content were higher. The Cl of P. amurensis over 4 years ranged from 13--19 mg in the upstream region of the North Bay where total metal exposure (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, V, and Zn) was greatest. The Cl ranged from 19--28 mg in the downstream region of the North Bay and at a site in the South Bay where total metal exposure was lowest. Seasonal trends in Cl, indicative of changes in reproductive status, were absent in regions of high, variable metal exposure. There were strong seasonal trends in the Cl in regions of low, less variable metal exposure. Temporal changes in Ag and Cd appear to have the strongest relationship with Cl in areas where tissue concentrations of these metals were high. Where metals appear to influence Cl, those influences may interact with other factors such as salinity and availability of food.
- OSTI ID:
- 211911
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9511137-; ISBN 1-880611-03-1; TRN: IM9617%%227
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) world conference, Vancouver (Canada), 5-9 Nov 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Second SETAC world congress (16. annual meeting): Abstract book. Global environmental protection: Science, politics, and common sense; PB: 378 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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