Influence of seasonal growth, age, and environmental exposure on Cu and Ag in a bivalve indicator, Macoma balthica, in San Francisco Bay

Marine Ecology Progress Series
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Abstract

Temporal and spatial variations in Cu and Ag in the deposit-feeding clam Macoma balthica and in surficial sediments were analysed at 8 stations in San Francisco Bay at near-monthly intervals for periods ranging from 3 to 10 yr during 1977 to 1986. Strong seasonal variations in metal concentrations of M. balthica were associated with seasonal variations in soft tissue weight. Aperiodic fluctuations in metal concentration appeared to be driven by changes in metal content of the soft tissues. Metal content of clams of standard shell length was less variable than tissue metal concentration, and generally followed changes in the concentrations of Cu and Ag in the sediments. Correlations between metal content and sediment concentrations were improved when content was standardized to age rather than shell length. Metal content of M. balthica displayed few consistent temporal trends among stations, evidently reflecting different sources of input and complex hydrologic and geochemical processes affecting metal availability in San Francisco Bay. Increases in Cu and Ag were noted at several stations in South Bay during 1977 to 1980. A continuous 10 yr record at one of these stations showed that the 1977 to 1980 increase and the subsequent decline beginning in 1981 coincided with fluctuations in metal inputs from a nearby source.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Influence of seasonal growth, age, and environmental exposure on Cu and Ag in a bivalve indicator, Macoma balthica, in San Francisco Bay
Series title Marine Ecology Progress Series
Volume 60
Year Published 1990
Language English
Publisher Inter-Research
Contributing office(s) San Francisco Bay-Delta, Toxic Substances Hydrology Program, Pacific Regional Director's Office
Description 11 p.
First page 45
Last page 55
Time Range Start 1977-01-01
Time Range End 1986-12-31
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial San Francisco Bay
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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