Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and metals in ambient sediment at mussel biomonitoring sites, Puget Sound, Washington
Caged mussels used as biomonitors can provide insights about ambient contaminant assemblages and spatial patterns, sources of contaminants, and contaminant exposure risks for consumers of wild and farmed mussels. This study explored the potential role of ambient sediment in the uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and potentially toxic inorganic elements by caged mussels and complements findings from a Puget Sound-wide stormwater-contaminant mussel-monitoring survey in Washington State. In summary, ambient sediment appeared to be related to mussel uptake of lead and possibly copper at all sites, PCBs at industrial sites, and PAHs at Liberty Bay, Eagle Harbor, and, to a lesser extent, Smith Cove. These findings indicate that resuspended bed sediment is one, but not the only, pathway that filter-feeding mussels are exposed to contaminants. Overall, PAHs, PCBs, arsenic, and potentially toxic metals were low in intertidal bed sediment at the nine sites measured in Puget Sound in February 2016 and signify a low risk of sediment-bound contaminant exposure to mussels at those locations.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2019 |
|---|---|
| Title | Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and metals in ambient sediment at mussel biomonitoring sites, Puget Sound, Washington |
| DOI | 10.3133/ofr20191087 |
| Authors | Renee K. Takesue, Pamela L. Campbell‐Swarzenski, Kathleen E. Conn |
| Publication Type | Report |
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Series Title | Open-File Report |
| Series Number | 2019-1087 |
| Index ID | ofr20191087 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center; Washington Water Science Center |
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Renee Takesue
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Renee Takesue
Research GeologistEmailPhonePamela Swarzenski
Chemist/Lab ManagerEmailPhoneKathy Conn
Hydrologist and Water Quality SpecialistEmailPhone