title: Bayesian spatial modeling of Lavaca Bay pollutants.
abstract: Locational risk of increased mercury and PAH concentrations in Lavaca Bay, Texas sediments and eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) harvested from Lavaca Bay, Texas were analysed. Chemical analysis results were evaluated utilizing Bayesian geo-statistical methods for comparison of the model fit of a random effects model versus a convoluted model which included both random and spatial effects. For those results fit best with the convoluted model, continuous surface maps of predicted parameter values were created. Sediment and oyster concentrations of mercury and the majority of measured PAHs were fit best with the convoluted model. The locational risks of encountering elevated concentrations of these pollutants in Lavaca Bay sediments and oysters were highest in close proximity to industrial facilities.
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, 4475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4475, USA. wbissett@cvm.tamu.edu
authors.forename: Wesley
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bissett
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Garry Adams
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Field
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Moyer
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Morgan Scott
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wade
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sweet
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D008628:Mercury / Q000737:chemistry; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010125:Ostreidae / Q000737:chemistry; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000737:chemistry; D013781:Texas; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014873:Water Pollutants
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014873:Water Pollutants; D014867:Water; D008628:Mercury