Using watershed characteristics,sediment, and tissue of resident mollusks to identify potential sources of trace elements to streams in a complex agricultural landscape |
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Authors: | Serena Ciparis Madeline E Schreiber Jr" target="_blank">J Reese VoshellJr |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 216A Price Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA;(2) Department of Geosciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 4044 Derring Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA |
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Abstract: | Trace elements used in animal feed additives can be introduced to aquatic environments through application of manures from
animal feeding operations to agricultural land as fertilizer. The use of poultry feed additives containing arsenic (As) is
of particular concern in the Shenandoah River watershed (Virginia, USA), an agricultural landscape with a high density of
poultry operations. This study investigated the relationship between watershed characteristics of Shenandoah River tributaries
and trace element concentrations in streambed sediment and tissue of resident mollusks, including: Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea), which are commonly used biomonitors, and pleurocerid snails (Leptoxis carinata), which are generally understudied. Results failed to support the primary hypothesis of a predictive relationship between
watershed densities of poultry operations and As concentrations in sediment and mollusk tissue. However, there were statistical
relationships between land use in tributary watersheds and other trace elements in sediment (Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn) and tissue (Cd,
Hg, Pb). Principal components analysis of the sediment data suggested a possible geologic source of As at some sites. Tissue
concentrations of As were significantly higher in snails than in clams, but clams accumulated higher concentrations of other
trace elements (Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, Se). Snails may be useful biomonitors of environmental As, but appear to be less suitable
than clams for studies of landscape sources of other trace elements. |
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