A summary of total mercury concentrations in flora and fauna near common contaminant sources in the Gulf of Mexico

Total mercury concentrations are summarized for environmental media and biota collected from near-coastal areas, several impacted by contaminant sources common to the Gulf of Mexico. Water, sediment, fish, blue crabs, oysters, clams, mussels, periphyton and seagrasses were collected during 1993–2002 from targeted areas affected by point and non-point source contaminants. Mean concentrations in water and sediment were 0.02 (±1 standard deviation = 0.06) μg l⁻¹ and 96.3 (230.8) ng g⁻¹ dry wt, respectively. Mean total mercury concentrations in fish, blue crabs, brackish clams and mussels were significantly greater than those in sediment, seagrass, colonized periphyton and oysters. Concentrations (ng g⁻¹ dry wt) averaged 23.1 (two seagrass species), 220.1 (oysters), 287.8 (colonized periphyton), 604.0 (four species of freshwater mussels), 772.4 (brackish clam), 857.9 (blue crabs) and 933.1 (nine fish species). Spatial, intraspecific and interspecific variability in results limited most generalizations concerning the relative mercury contributions of different stressor types. However, concentrations were significantly greater for some biota collected from areas receiving wastewater discharges and golf course runoff (fish), agricultural runoff (oysters) and urban stormwater runoff (colonized periphyton and sediment). Marine water quality criteria and proposed sediment quality guidelines were exceeded in 1–12% of total samples. At least one seafood consumption guideline, criteria or screening value were exceeded in edible tissues of blue crabs (6% total samples) and nine fish species (8–33% total samples) but all residues were less than the US Federal Drug Administration action limit of 1.0 ppm and the few reported toxic effect concentrations available for the targeted biota.     

Widespread occurrence of estrogenic UV-filters in aquatic ecosystems in Switzerland

We performed a trace analytical study covering nine hormonally active UV-filters by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS in river water and biota. Water was analysed at 10 sites above and below wastewater treatment plants in the river Glatt using polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS). Four UV-filters occurred in the following order of decreasing concentrations; benzophenone-4 (BP-4) > benzophenone-3 (BP-3) > 3-(4-methyl)benzylidene-camphor (4-MBC) > 2-ethyl-hexyl-4-trimethoxycinnamate (EHMC). BP-4 ranged from 0.27 to 24.0 μg/POCIS, BP-3, 4-MBC and EHMC up to 0.1 μg/POCIS. Wastewater was the most important source. Levels decreased with higher river water flow. No significant in-stream removal occurred. BP-3, 4-MBC and EHMC were between 6 and 68 ng/L in river water. EHMC was accumulated in biota. In all 48 macroinvertebrate and fish samples from six rivers lipid-weighted EHMC occurred up to 337 ng/g, and up to 701 ng/g in 5 cormorants, suggesting food-chain accumulation. UV-filters are found to be ubiquitous in aquatic systems.     

Agricultural soil as a potential source of input of organochlorine pesticides into a nearby pond

A study was conducted in the southeastern region of Buenos Aires province, Argentina, to assess an agricultural soil as a potential source of organochlorine (OC) pesticides for the aquatic biota of a nearby pond. We analyzed gamma-HCH (lindane), still in use, and the following banned compounds: DDT, DDE, DDD heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, dieldrin and endrin in soil, bulrush, grass shrimp and fish using gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD). Among the OC pesticides, lindane was most dominant in the soil (32.6 ng/g dry wt in the upper and 173.9 ng/g dry wt in the lower horizon) and bulrush (1.9 pg/g lipid). Macrophyte also accumulated high levels of heptachlor epoxide (1.5 pg/g lipid). Heptachlor, although present in the soil, was below the detection limit in all aquatic biota studied. Its primary degradation product, heptachlor epoxide, was found in both soil and biota samples. DDT was found at low levels in the surface soil (6.8 ng/g dry wt), but at higher concentrations in fish (3.6 pg/g lipid), although levels were still below permissible levels for human consumption. Since most of the compounds were found in both soil and aquatic biota, our study suggests that agricultural soil could be an important source for OC pesticides in the nearby pond.     

The effects of the contemporary-use insecticide (fipronil) in an estuarine mesocosm

To examine the effects of environmentally realistic fipronil concentrations on estuarine ecosystems, replicated mesocosms containing intact marsh plots and seawater were exposed to three treatments of fipronil (150, 355, and 5000 ng/L) and a Control. Juvenile fish (Cyprinidon variegatus), juvenile clams (Mercenaria mercenaria), oysters (Crassostrea virginica), and grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) were added prior to fipronil in an effort to quantify survival, growth, and the persistence of toxicity during the planned 28-day exposure. Results indicated that there were no fipronil-associated effects on the clams, oysters, or fish. Shrimp were sensitive to the highest two concentrations (40% survival at 355 ng/L and 0% survival at 5000 ng/L). Additionally, the highest fipronil treatment (5000 ng/L) was toxic to shrimp for 6 weeks post dose. These results suggest that fipronil may impact shrimp populations at low concentrations and further use in coastal areas should be carefully assessed.     

Existence of nonpoint source of perfluorinated compounds and their loads in the Tsurumi River basin, Japan

Products containing perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have been widely used during the last 50 years. As a result, worldwide environmental pollution by PFCs has been reported. The sources of PFC pollution in the aquatic environment have been poorly understood. In this study, river water and sewage treatment plant (STP) effluent were sampled along the stretch of the Tsurumi River and also at a fixed station in the river. The concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) were measured. With an increase in river flow rate, it was observed that the PFC concentrations in the river water at fixed station were remained the same or increased for PFOS (179.9+/-34.4-179.6+/-69.5 ng l(-1)), PFHxA (5.5+/-0.8-9.0+/-2.6 ng l(-1)), PFHpA (3.1+/-0.3-4.4+/-1.0 ng l(-1)), and PFOA (15.9+/-0.3-13.4+/-2.5 ng l(-1)) whereas the concentration of PFNA (38.0+/-3.3-15.4+/-3.0 ng l(-1)) and PFDA (3.9+/-0.3-2.1+/-0.3 ng l(-1)) were decreased. On the other hand, the loads of every PFC increased with an increase in river flow rate. The loads of PFCs in rain runoff were estimated to be 2-11 times greater than those in STP effluents that are discharged into the river. These results indicate the existence of a PFC nonpoint source (NPS) and its impact to the total PFC load of river is significant.     

Persistent organochlorine pesticide residues in fish, sediments and water from Lake Bosomtwi, Ghana

Some organochlorine pesticide residues in tilapia fish (Tilapiazilli), sediment and water samples from Lake Bosomtwi (the largest natural lake in Ghana) were determined to find out the extent of pesticide contamination and accumulation in the lake. The extracted residues were analyzed on a micro-capillary gas chromatograph equipped with electron capture detector. DDE (p,p'-1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene) was the predominant residue in all the samples analyzed; detected in 82% of water samples, 98% of sediment samples and 58% of fish samples at concentrations of 0.061+/-0.03 ng g(-1), 8.342+/-2.96 ng g(-1) and 5.232+/-1.30 ng g(-1), respectively. DDT (p,p'-1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)ethane) was detected in 78% at a mean concentration 0.012+/-0.62 ng g(-1) of water samples analyzed. The mean concentrations of DDT in sediments and fish were 4.41+/-1.54 ng g(-1) and 3.645+/-1.81 ng g(-1), respectively. The detection of lower levels of DDT than its metabolite, DDE, in the samples implies that the presence of these contaminants in the lake is as result of past usage of the pesticides.     

Bioaccumulation of anthropogenic contaminants by detritivorous fish in the Río de la Plata estuary: 2-Polychlorinated biphenyls

The temporal variability and bioaccumulation dynamics of individual PCBs were studied in a detritivorous fish (Sábalo: Prochilodus lineatus) collected from 1999 to 2005 in the polluted Buenos Aires coastal area. Fish muscles contain high concentrations of total PCBs (11+/-7.2, 4.6+/-3.4 or 19+/-13 microg g(-1), dry, fresh and lipid weight, respectively) reflecting chronic bioaccumulation from sewage-industrial particulates. On a temporal basis, lipid normalized PCBs concentrations peaked by the end of 2001-2002 coincident with the rainiest period over the last four decades and shortly after PCB prohibition in the country, reflecting massive discharges to the coastal ecosystem. PCB composition in fish muscles show a prevailing contribution of hexachlorobiphenyls (35+/-4.2%), followed by hepta (23+/-3.0%), penta (20+/-3.6%), tri-tetra (16+/-4.8%) and minor proportions of octa-decachlorobiphenyls (5.7+/-3.1%) similar to an Aroclor 1242-1254-1260 1:2:4 mixture. During 2001-2002 maxima fish showed an enrichment in tri-tetrachlorobiphenyls ( approximately 1242-1254-1260 1:1:1 mixture) denoting a fresher signature. Fish/settling material lipid-organic carbon accumulation factors (BSAFs: 2.4-46, average: 21+/-10) plotted against kow showed a parabolic trend (BSAFs=-0.38 log kow2 + 5.16 log kow -15.85; R2=0.46) maximizing at hexa, hepta and octachlorobiphenyl 203 with reduced bioaccumulation of a few hepta (170, 191) and most octa-decachlorobihenyls suggesting limited intestinal absorption.     

Analysis of marine sediment, water and biota for selected organic pollutants

The concentrations of various organic pollutants (benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and pentachlorophenol (PCP)) were determined in samples of water, sediment and biota (flounder, killifish, shrimp, crabs and squid) from San Luis Pass, Texas. Sediment was also analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), phthalic acid esters (PAEs) and various pesticides. Only PCP was detectable in water. In sediment, the relative concentrations were PAEs > BaP > (PCBs HCB) > PCP. In biota, BaP was not detectable in any animal; HCB was highest in crabs and PCP was highest in all others (flounder, killifish, shrimp and squid). The relative concentrations of HCB and PCP were different in the different organisms. The differences between the relative concentrations in the biota and in sediment are discussed. The results of this study are compared to values measured at other sites. This study is part of a larger effort to identify and quantitate pollutants in various Texas estuaries and to serve as a basis for monitoring marine pollution.     

Factors affecting trace-metal bioaccumulation in Finnish headwater lakes

Fourteen unpolluted Finnish headwater lakes with pH values varying from 4.8 to 7.0 were studied for trace-metal concentrations in water, sediment, aquatic plants (Nuphar luteum L., Sparganium sp.), aquatic insect larvae (Limnophilus sp., Phryganea sp.) and fish (Esox lucius L., Perca fluviatilis L., Coregonus sp., Salvelinus fontinalis L., Salmo trutta L.). Trace-metal deposition was estimated by analysing the snowpack. Non-parametric correlation analysis was carried out between trace metal concentrations in biota and pH, ANC, TOC, CA + Mg concentration in water and a given metal concentration in water and sediment. Bioaccumulation of several trace metals increased with increasing acidity and decreasing ANC in water. This was especially true for Pb and Cd. Aquatic plants were, in general, the best indicator group concerning differences in trace-metal bioaccumulation in lakes with different acidity. There was some evidence that a higher concentration of TOC in water may reduce bioaccumulation of Pb, Cd and Zn in aquatic plants and fish. The copper concentration in sediment was the only background variable explaining Cu concentration in aquatic insects. Multivariate analysis of the whole background data gave comparable preliminary results. Over 80% of the trace metal concentrations in biota of different lakes was explained by the background variables. In general, elevated concentrations of most of these trace metals can be expected to occur in the biota of acidified low calcareous lakes.     

Decabrominated diphenyl ether in river fish and sediment samples collected downstream an industrial park

Fish, sediment and water samples from different places along the Spanish River Vero, a tributary of the Cinca River in the Ebro River basin, were collected in two different sampling campaigns, the first one during November 2004 and the second one in November 2005. The samples were collected up- and downstream from an industrial park. A total of 29 fishes, 6 sediments and 3 water samples were analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Analytical work included 23 congeners, from tri- to deca-BDEs. The highest values for both sediment and fish samples were found downstream of the industrial park. High BDE-209 contamination was found in these sediment samples, with values up to 12 microg g(-1) dry weight. Moreover, BDE-209 was detected in 14 out of 15 biota samples collected downstream the industrial park, at concentration levels ranging from 20 to 707 ng g(-1) lipid weight, whereas it was not detected in samples collected upstream. These fish concentrations proved the bioavailability of BDE-209 and represented the highest deca-BDE values found in aquatic biota. The analysis of industrial effluents revealed that some industries contribute in some way to the BDE-209 contamination found in this area, but the industry focused on the polyamide polymerization is the main responsible.     

Surface-sediment and hermit-crab contamination by butyltins in southeastern Atlantic estuaries after ban of TBT-based antifouling paints

Butyltin (BT) contamination was evaluated in hermit crabs from 25 estuaries and in sediments from 13 of these estuaries along about 2,000 km of the Brazilian coast. BT contamination in hermit crabs ranged from 2.22 to 1,746 ng Sn g^-1 of DBT and 1.32 to 318 ng Sn g^-1 of TBT. In sediment samples, the concentration also varied widely, from 25 to 1,304 ng Sn g^-1 of MBT, from 7 to 158 ng Sn g^-1 of DBT, and from 8 to 565 ng Sn g^-1 of TBT. BTs are still being found in surface sediments and biota of the estuaries after the international and Brazilian bans, showing heterogeneous distribution among and within estuaries. Although hermit crabs were previously tested as an indicator of recent BT contamination, the results indicate the presence of contamination, probably from resuspension of BTs from deeper water of the estuary.

Occurrence of persistent organic pollutants in sediments and biota from Portugal versus European incidence: A critical overview

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are widespread compounds, such as organohalogenated compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pesticides, which can be found in all types of environmental compartments. Their presence in the aquatic environment is a worldwide problem, with emphasis on sediments which act as depository and consequently as a source of hydrophobic, recalcitrant and harmful compounds. Besides, these pollutants might affect the reproduction and mortality of living organisms, diverging in their potential to bioaccumulate in tissues. The present paper aims to review the occurrence of POPs in sediments and biota from the coastal, estuarine and river areas of Portugal. The list of the studied compounds comprises organohalogenated compounds, PAHs, organometallic compounds, pesticides, sterols, fatty acids and pharmaceutical compounds. The contamination of sediments by various pollutants is presented, such as PAHs up to 7,350 ng g^?1 found in Sado estuary and polychlorinated biphenyls up to 62.2 ng g^?1 in the case of sediments collected in Ria de Aveiro. The occurrence of these persistent toxic substances in sediments demonstrates aquatic contamination from agricultural, industrial and urban discharges and the concern about the potential risks to aquatic organisms, wildlife and humans. In fact, several classes of POPs have also been found in biota, such as polychlorinated biphenyls up to 810.9 ng g^?1 in sentinel fish from the Douro River estuary and pesticides in bivalves from the Sado River estuary. The importance of further systematic research on sediments and biota is here highlighted to compare the contamination of these two reservoirs; to assess their spatial and temporal variation; and to determine other classes of POPs that were not investigated yet (e.g., industrial compounds, estrogens and many classes of pharmaceuticals).     

Total mercury, methyl mercury, and carbon in fresh and burned plants and soil in Northwestern Ontario

Terrestrial plants and soil contain substantial amounts of organic carbon (C) and mercury. Flooding terrestrial areas stimulates microbial methyl mercury (MeHg) production and fish obtain elevated MeHg concentrations. Our purpose was to determine the loss of C, total mercury (THg), and MeHg from boreal plants and soil after burning to assess the potential of burning before flooding to lower MeHg. Fresh plants contained 4 to 52 ng g(-1) dry weight (dw) of THg and 0.1 to 1.3 ng g(-1) dw of MeHg. Upland soils contained 162+/-132 ng g(-1) dw of THg and 0.6+/-0.6 ng g(-1) dw of MeHg. Complete burning caused plants to lose 96, 98, 97, and 94% of the mass, C, THg, and MeHg, respectively. Upland soil lost 27, 95, 79, and 82% of the mass, C, THg, and MeHg, respectively. Our results demonstrated that a substantial loss of C, THg, and MeHg was caused by burning.     

Comparative study on the susceptibility of freshwater species to copper-based pesticides

Copper compounds have been intentionally introduced into water bodies as aquatic plant herbicides, algicides and molluscicides. Copper-based fertilizers and fungicides have been widely used in agriculture as well. Despite the fact that copper is an essential element for all biota, elevated concentrations of this metal have been shown to affect a variety of aquatic organisms. Nonetheless, comparative studies on the susceptibility of different freshwater species to copper compounds have seldom been performed. This study was conducted to compare toxicity of copper-based pesticides (copper oxychloride, cuprous oxide and copper sulfate) to different freshwater target (Raphidocelis subcapitata, a planktonic alga and Biomphalaria glabrata, a snail) and non-target (Daphnia similis, a planktonic crustacean and Danio rerio, a fish) organisms. Test water parameters were as follows: pH = 7.4 +/- 0.1; hardness 44 +/- 1 mg/l as CaCO3; DO 8-9 mg/l at the beginning and > 4 mg/l at the end; temperature, fish and snails 25 +/- 1 degrees C, Daphnia 20 +/- 2 degrees C, algae 24 +/- 1 degrees C. D. similis (immobilization), 48-h EC50s (95% CLs) ranging from 0.013 (0.011-0.016) to 0.043 (0.033-0.057) mg Cu/l, and R. subcapitata (growth inhibition), 96-h IC50s from 0.071 (0.045-0.099) to 0.137 (0.090-0.174) mg Cu/l, were the most susceptible species. B. glabrata (lethality), 48-h LC50s from 0.179 (0.102-0.270) to 0.854 (0.553-1.457) mg Cu/l, and D. rerio (lethality), 48-h LC50s 0.063 (0.045-0.089), 0.192 (0.133-0.272) and 0.714 (0.494-1.016) mg Cu/l, were less susceptible than Daphnia to copper-based pesticides. Findings from the present study therefore suggest that increased levels of copper in water bodies is likely to adversely affect a variety of aquatic species.     

HCHs and DDTs in sediment-dwelling animals from the Yangtze Estuary, China

HCHs and DDTs in sediment-dwelling animals including mollusks and crabs from the Yangtze Estuary were determined by GC-ECD. Levels of t-HCH were in the range of 1.2-5.5 ng g(-1) and averaged 3.5 ng g(-1) in mollusks, while t-DDT concentrations ranged from 26.0 to 68.8 ng g(-1), with a mean of 34.5 ng g(-1). In crabs t-HCH concentrations varied from 2.0 to 25.7 ng g(-1) and averaged 13.8 ng g(-1), whereas the concentrations of t-DDT were in the range of 1.5-24.8 ng g(-1) with a mean value of 5.9 ng g(-1). The HCHs and DDTs levels depend on geographical position and sources, showing the high levels at fresh water area in the estuary, such as XP, CM and LHK sites, and lower at brackish water area, such as FX site, and little difference between species. Results also indicate there was no significant relationship between t-HCH (t-DDT) concentrations and lipid contents both in mollusks and crabs because of non-equilibrium state under a specific estuarine dynamics; smaller individuals accumulated more HCHs and DDTs than larger individuals of mollusks at LHK site, showing different uptake rate for these pesticides; moreover, HCHs and DDTs levels were lower in female crab bodies than male crab bodies suggesting that the release of spawning. BSAFs (Biota- Sediment Accumulation Factors) from sediment-dwelling animals for HCHs and DDTs show a significant "one high with two low" and "one low with two high" effect in the Yangtze Estuary.     

Evaluation of pesticides and metals in fish of the Dniester River, Moldova

The Dniester River is one of the largest rivers in Eastern Europe and receives input from numerous anthropogenic activities. In October 2001, fish samples (Abramis brama, Rutilus rutilus heckeli, Perca fluviatilis, Chondrostoma nasus, Carassius auratus gibelio, and Cyprinus carpio) were collected and analyzed for metals and various pesticides. Maximum total DDT pesticide concentrations were between 27.7 and 34.2 ng/g wet weight in muscles and gonads, respectively. DDE isomers comprised up to 70% of total DDT measurement in fish tissues, indicating historical rather than recent DDT pollution. Chlordane and lindane were also detected in amounts up to 37 and 76 ng/g wet weight in gonads, respectively. Among organophosphorous pesticides, malathion showed extremely high concentrations--3 microg/g wet weight in muscles and 46 microg/g wet weight in gonads, indicating recent exposure. Copper concentrations in muscles (1.8-7.2 microg/g) exceeded Threshold Effect Concentrations for copper in fish. Detection of high concentrations of malathion and copper in fish tissues indicated potential anthropogenic stress for more sensitive aquatic biota, likely from agricultural sources in the Dniester River.     

Insights into low fish mercury bioaccumulation in a mercury-contaminated reservoir, Guizhou, China

We examined Hg biogeochemistry in Baihua Reservoir, a system affected by industrial wastewater containing mercury (Hg). As expected, we found high levels of total Hg (THg, 664-7421 ng g(-1)) and monomethylmercury (MMHg, 3-21 ng g(-1)) in the surface sediments (0-10 cm). In the water column, both THg and MMHg showed strong vertical variations with higher concentrations in the anoxic layer (>4m) than in the oxic layer (0-4 m), which was most pronounced for the dissolved MMHg (p < 0.001). However, mercury levels in biota samples (mostly cyprinid fish) were one order of magnitude lower than common regulatory values (i.e. 0.3-0.5 mg kg(-1)) for human consumption. We identified three main reasons to explain the low fish Hg bioaccumulation: disconnection of the aquatic food web from the high MMHg zone, simple food web structures, and biodilution effect at the base of the food chain in this eutrophic reservoir.     

Concentrations of organotin compounds in sediment and clams collected from coastal areas in Vietnam

Levels of butyltin (BT) and phenyltin (PT) compounds were determined in sediments and clam Meretrix spp. collected from north and central coastal areas in Vietnam. Concentrations of TBT in sediments ranged from 0.89 to 34 ng g(-1) dry wt and those in clams ranged from 1.4 to 56 ng g(-1) wet wt. The levels of TBT in sediments and clams from Vietnam were within limits reported from other countries. Further, the TBT level in clams was lower than the tolerable average residue level (TARL) estimated based on tolerable daily intake (TDI). Trace amounts of PTs were also found in both sediment and clam samples. In sediments from north and central Vietnam, the concentrations of TBT were highest in the order of Hue (28 ng g(-1) dry wt), Cua Luc (15 ng g(-1) dry wt), Sam Son (6.3 ng g(-1) dry wt), and Tra Co (5.5 ng g(-1) dry wt). Among the clams from north and central Vietnam, the levels of TBT in clams from Cua Luc were dramatically high at 47 ng g(-1) wet wt. TBT formed the principal butyltin species in sediment at all sites studied. The ratios of TBT in sediment were higher among BT compounds at all study sites. Of total BTs, TBT was the dominant species in clams from almost all sites studied. In spatial distribution, TPT showed a pattern similar to TBT, suggesting the use of TPT as an antifouling paint. The partition coefficient between sediment and calms was calculated. The partition coefficients of TBT and TPT were 2.01 (0.56-5.5) and 9.23 (3.1-20), respectively. These results show that sediment-bound TBT is a source of contamination to clams in addition to dissolved TBT.     

A study of polonium-210 distribution aspects in the riverine ecosystem of Kaveri, Tiruchirappalli, India

Distribution of a natural radionuclide (210Po) in water, sediment and biota was quantified along a 95 km reach of the Kaveri River, India. It is observed that the soft tissues of animals concentrated a higher level of 210Po than the hard parts like shell and bone. The ranges of 210Po activity in biological samples were 2.32-10.78 Bq kg(-1) wet (aquatic weeds), 18.94-28.55 Bq kg(-1) wet (plankton), 32.51 to 46.17 Bq kg(-1) wet (snail), 57.42 to 105.78 Bq kg(-1) wet (bivalve), 12.13 to 19.10 Bq kg(-1) wet (prawn) and 1.86 to 4.17 Bq kg(-1) wet (fish). The concentration factors (CFs) for the aquatic organisms ranged from 10(3) to 10(4), indicating a high affinity of 210Po for organic moieties. The bivalve mollusc, Lamellidens marginalis, accumulated higher concentrations of 210Po, suggesting that it could serve as a biomonitor of 210Po radionuclide in riverine systems. Further, the levels of 210Po in water, sediment and biological samples from impoundments were higher than those from stations located in the open river. This may be largely due to aerial inputs of the radionuclide, accumulation of radionucliderich silt and organic matter, and increased biological production in the impounded water body.