Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-2014
Publication Title
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Volume
67
Issue
2
Pages
224-233
Abstract
The St. Lucie estuary (SLE) ecosystem in South Florida has been shown to be contaminated with metals and pesticides. Our earlier studies also showed that aquatic organisms, especially benthic species in the SLE ecosystem, might be potentially at high risk from copper (Cu) exposure. The objectives of this study were to conduct studies with separate groups of organisms exposed to seven field-collected sediment samples from the St. Lucie River according to standard procedures to evaluate toxicity and tissue concentrations of Cu and zinc (Zn). Short term and longer term whole sediment acute toxicity studies were performed with Ampelisca abdita and Mercenaria mercenaria. Analysis of sediment chemical characteristics showed that Cu and Zn are of most concern because their concentrations in 86 % of the sediments were higher than the threshold effect concentrations for Florida sediment quality criteria and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Screening Quick Reference Tables (SQuiRTs) sediment values. There was no significant effect on survival of the tested organisms. However, increased Cu and Zn concentrations in the test organisms were found. Dry weight of the tested organisms was also inversely related to Cu and Zn concentrations in sediments and organisms. The effects on organism weight and Cu and Zn uptake raise concerns about the organism population dynamics of the ecosystem because benthic organisms are primary food sources in the SLE system and are continuously exposed to Cu- and Zn-contaminated sediments throughout their life cycle. The results of the present study also indicate that Cu and Zn exposures by way of sediment ingestion are important routes of exposure.
Recommended Citation
Hoang, Tham C. and Rand, Gary M.. Effects of Contaminated St. Lucie River Saltwater Sediments on an Amphipod (Ampelisca abdita) and a Hard-Shell Clam (Mercenaria mercenaria). Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 67, 2: 224-233, 2014. Retrieved from Loyola eCommons, School of Environmental Sustainability: Faculty Publications and Other Works, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00244-014-0029-3
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Copyright Statement
© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014
Included in
Environmental Sciences Commons, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons
Comments
Author Posting. © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014. This article is posted here with permission from Springer for personal use, not for redistribution. The article was published in the Archives of Environmental Containment and Toxicology, vol. 67, no. 2, 2014, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-014-0029-3