title: Spatial and taxonomic variation in trace element bioaccumulation in two herbivores from a coal combustion waste contaminated stream.
abstract: Dissimilarities in habitat use, feeding habits, life histories, and physiology can result in syntopic aquatic taxa of similar trophic position bioaccumulating trace elements in vastly different patterns. We compared bioaccumulation in a clam, Corbicula fluminea and mayfly nymph Maccaffertium modestum from a coal combustion waste contaminated stream. Collection sites differed in distance to contaminant sources, incision, floodplain activity, and sources of flood event water and organic matter. Contaminants variably accumulated in both sediment and biofilm. Bioaccumulation differed between species and sites with C. fluminea accumulating higher concentrations of Hg, Cs, Sr, Se, As, Be, and Cu, but M. modestum higher Pb and V. Stable isotope analyses suggested both spatial and taxonomic differences in resource use with greater variability and overlap between species in the more physically disturbed site. The complex but essential interactions between organismal biology, divergence in resource use, and bioaccumulation as related to stream habitat requires further studies essential to understand impacts of metal pollution on stream systems.
authors: Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA. Electronic address: fletcher@srel.uga.edu.
authors: Dean E
authors: DE
authors: Fletcher
authors: Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA. Electronic address: lindell@srel.uga.edu.
authors: Angela H
authors: AH
authors: Lindell
authors: Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA. Electronic address: garrett.stillings@ky.gov.
authors: Garrett K
authors: GK
authors: Stillings
authors: Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA. Electronic address: gmills@srel.uga.edu.
authors: Gary L
authors: GL
authors: Mills
authors: Area Completion Projects, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, Savannah River Site, Aiken 29808, USA. Electronic address: susan.blas@srs.gov.
authors: Susan A
authors: SA
authors: Blas
authors: Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA. Electronic address: mcarthur@srel.uga.edu.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Vaun McArthur
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D003031:Coal; D049874:Corbicula / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D017753:Ecosystem; D060434:Herbivory; D007313:Insecta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D003031:Coal; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: Bioaccumulation; Clam; Coal combustion waste; Mayfly; Trace elements