Assessment of metal contamination in the biota of four rivers experiencing varying degrees of human impact
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- 作者：Gretchen K. Bielmyer-Fraser ; Matthew Neal Waters…
- 关键词：Streams ; Land use ; Metals ; Biota ; Water quality
- 刊名：Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
- 出版年：2017
- 出版时间：January 2017
- 年：2017
- 卷：189
- 期：1
- 全文大小：
- 刊物类别：Earth and Environmental Science
- 刊物主题：Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Environmental Management; Ecotoxicology; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Ecology;
- 出版者：Springer International Publishing
- ISSN：1573-2959
- 卷排序：189
文摘
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.