Tracing the bioaccumulation pattern of the heavy metals mercury, cadmium, and arsenic in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island

CHED 1154

Stacey A. Helming, shelming209@hawks.rwu.edu1, David L. Taylor, dtaylor@rwu.edu2, and Stephen K. O'Shea, soshea@rwu.edu1. (1) Department of Chemistry, Roger Williams University, One Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809, (2) Department of Biology, Roger Williams University, One Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809
There have been few studies investigating the bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of the trace metals cadmium, arsenic, and mercury in the estuarine food web of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. These metals are known to be toxic to humans, and the consumption of upper level trophic organisms and sport fish, including tautog (Tautoga onitis), bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus), and spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthius) demonstrates the risk of secondary poisoning in humans by bioaccumulation. The range of trace heavy metals in the surface sediments and water column samples has been shown to correlate to the metal concentration consumed by important prey species of the sport fish examined: prey species including blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), silversides (Menidia menidia), and herring (Alosa spp.). Using the DMA-80, AAS, and ICP-Mass Spectroscopy, the relationship between trace metals and trophic transfer shows how these concentrations relate to each other, fish size, and species.
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Environmental Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007