title: Assessment of metal contamination in the biota of four rivers experiencing varying degrees of human impact.
abstract: Urbanization, agriculture, and other land transformations can affect water quality, decrease species biodiversity, and increase metal and nutrient concentrations in aquatic systems. Metal pollution, in particular, is a reported consequence of elevated anthropogenic inputs, especially from urbanized areas. The objectives of this study were to quantify metal (Cu, Al, Cd, Ni, and Pb) concentrations in the waters and biota of four streams in South Georgia, USA, and relate metal concentrations to land use and abiotic and biotic stream processes. Additionally, macrophytes, invertebrates, and fish were identified to assess biodiversity at each site. Metal concentrations in the three trophic levels differed among sites and species, correlating to differences in land use surrounding the rivers. The highest metal concentrations (except Al) were found in the streams most impacted by urbanization and development. Al concentrations were highest in streams surrounded by land dominated by forested areas. Metal content in macrophytes reflected metal concentrations in the water and was at least three orders of magnitude higher than any other trophic level. Despite metal concentration differences, all four streams contained similar water quality and were healthy based on macroinvertebrate community structure. This study provides insight into the impact of urbanization and the fate and effects of metals in river ecosystems with varying degrees of anthropogenic impact.
authors.affiliation: Jacksonville University, 2800 University Blvd N., Jacksonville, FL, 32211, USA. gbielmy@ju.edu.
authors.forename: Gretchen K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Bielmyer-Fraser
authors.affiliation: Auburn University, 201 Funchess Hall, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew Neal
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.affiliation: Valdosta State University, 1500 N Patterson St., Valdosta, GA, 31698, USA.
authors.forename: Christina G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Duckworth
authors.affiliation: Valdosta State University, 1500 N Patterson St., Valdosta, GA, 31698, USA.
authors.forename: Pratik P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Valdosta State University, 1500 N Patterson St., Valdosta, GA, 31698, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin Cole
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.affiliation: Valdosta State University, 1500 N Patterson St., Valdosta, GA, 31698, USA.
authors.forename: Amber
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blocker
authors.affiliation: Valdosta State University, 1500 N Patterson St., Valdosta, GA, 31698, USA.
authors.forename: Cliff Hunter
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Crummey
authors.affiliation: Valdosta State University, 1500 N Patterson St., Valdosta, GA, 31698, USA.
authors.forename: Aundrea Nicole
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.affiliation: Valdosta State University, 1500 N Patterson St., Valdosta, GA, 31698, USA.
authors.forename: Somuayiro Nadia
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Nwokike
authors.affiliation: Valdosta State University, 1500 N Patterson St., Valdosta, GA, 31698, USA.
authors.forename: Codie Richard
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Picariello
authors.affiliation: Valdosta State University, 1500 N Patterson St., Valdosta, GA, 31698, USA.
authors.forename: James T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Ragan
authors.affiliation: Valdosta State University, 1500 N Patterson St., Valdosta, GA, 31698, USA.
authors.forename: Erika L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Schumacher
authors.affiliation: Valdosta State University, 1500 N Patterson St., Valdosta, GA, 31698, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca Lea
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.affiliation: Valdosta State University, 1500 N Patterson St., Valdosta, GA, 31698, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth Ann
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Tuttle
authors.affiliation: Valdosta State University, 1500 N Patterson St., Valdosta, GA, 31698, USA.
authors.forename: Charlie Rufus
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Wiggins
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D058448:Biota; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D007448:Invertebrates; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D014507:Urbanization; D060753:Water Quality
chemical_list: D008670:Metals
keywords: Biota; Land use; Metals; Streams; Water quality