Temporal and Spatial Variations of Trace Metal Concentrations in Oysters from the Patuxent River, MD
1998
Riedel, Gehardt | Abbe, George R. | Sanders, James G.
Concentrations of copper (Cu), silver (Ag), and cadmium (Cd) in eastern oysters (Crassostreu tirgkicu)from the upper Patuxent River estuary analyzed since 1986 (Cd since 1991) were high relative to concentrations in othersites in the United States analyzed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Status and Trendsprogram. Patuxent River oysters had above average concentrations of Ag and Cu, and unusually high concentrations ofCd. Metal concentrations were highest in summer, a period in which oyster meat condition index was relatively low.Copper values were highest in 1986-1987, likely elevated by erosion from Cu-Ni alloy condensers at a local power plant.Silver and Cd values exhibited more year-to-year variation. A number of factors were examined as candidates to explainthe interannual differences, including river flow, salinity, and oyster condition, but none was able to explain the high andlow years. Samples collected in spring and late summer of 1996 at a number of oyster bars located along the length ofthe Patuxent River showed that concentrations of ail three metals increased with distance up-river. For Cd, the upstreamincrease was linear with distance, while for Ag and Cu, there was a secondary maximum near river km 16. A closecorrelation was observed between Ag and Cu for individuals at each site, with a poorer correlation between Cd andeither Ag or Cu.
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