The behaviour of heavy metals in transplanted hard clams, Mercenaria mercenaria

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Abstract
An area in Great South Bay, NY which has been closed to shellfishing on the basis of coliform bacteria standards was shown to have elevated levels of heavy metals in hard clams, Mercenaria mercenaria, and sediments. Clams from this area were transplanted into the central portion of the Bay which is open to shellfishing. The behaviour of heavy metals in the transplanted clams was primarily affected by long-term trends based on seasonal fluctuations in the organisms. While these clams were being depurated of bacteria, no depuration of any heavy metal analysed (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) was noted over the 50-day duration of this study. On the contrary, significant increases in the total body content of Cd, Ni, and Pb occurred. Resulting Cd and Pb levels in hard clams were not elevated above natural levels found in the transplantation area, but Ni levels were approximately 56% higher. This transplantation therefore introduced hard clams with significantly higher levels of Ni into the harvestable resource.

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