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Metal concentrations in American oyster Crassotrea virginica and adjacent sediments from harvestable and non-harvestable sites in the Southeastern USA

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Abstract

Human population growth in coastal areas continues to threaten estuarine ecosystems and resources. Populations of Crassostrea virginica have declined across the USA due to water quality degradation, disease pressure, alteration of habitat, and other changes related to anthropogenic impacts. Metals that may be present in estuarine habitats can bioaccumulate in oysters, with potential consequences to the health of oysters and humans consumers. This study (1) evaluated the occurrence and relationships of metal concentrations in oyster tissue versus estuarine sediments, (2) examined oyster tissue concentrations in relation to state water quality designations, and (3) evaluated the potential risk for humans from oyster consumption related to metal concentrations from harvestable waters. Results indicated metal concentrations in sediments and oysters along coastal South Carolina remain low compared to other areas and that concentrations in oyster tissue and adjacent sediments were not highly correlated with each other. However, high concentrations of some metals occurred in oysters sampled from areas designated as Approved for Harvesting. This is important because most harvest area designation systems rely on regular bacterial monitoring when evaluating the safety of consumption. Others safety measurements may be necessary as part of routine monitoring.

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Acknowledgements

Staff of SCDNR’s Environmental Research Section and Shellfish Research Section that assisted in sampling and sample processing included L Coen, D Richardson, A Fornal, K Schulte, L Taylor, S Burns, L Forbes, J Felber, P Biondo, A Rourk, J Richardson, M Levisen, G Riekerk, A Coghill, M Dunlap, B Dyar, A Hollis, V Irvin, C Jendron, C Johnson, M Perkinson, S Roth, K Seals, and J Siewicki. Staff at NOAA NOS-CCEHBR lab (Charleston, SC) that processed sediment samples for contaminants included M Fulton, E Wirth, K Chung, B Shaddrix, L Thorsell, and D Liebert. Additionally, we thank E Wirth for the additional information and analysis concerning QA/QC. Much of the shellfish sampling and shellfish tissue processing was supported by NOAA Award No. NA04NMF4630309. We thank Cecelia Linder for her support of our project efforts under that award. Portions of the SCECAP program were funded by the USEPA National Coastal Assessment (NCA) Program under Cooperative Agreement R-82847201-0. Dr. Kevin Summers and Jim Harvey with the USEPA/ORD Gulf Ecology Division were particularly helpful in assisting with the implementation of the SC component of the NCA. This manuscript is Contribution No. 769 from the Marine Resources Center.

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  1. Department of Biology and Geology, University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken, SC, 29801, USA

    Virgnia R. Shervette

  2. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Research Institute, Charleston, SC, 29412, USA

    Virgnia R. Shervette & Robert F. Van Dolah

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  1. Virgnia R. Shervette
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  2. Robert F. Van Dolah
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Correspondence to Virgnia R. Shervette.

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Shervette, V.R., Van Dolah, R.F. Metal concentrations in American oyster Crassotrea virginica and adjacent sediments from harvestable and non-harvestable sites in the Southeastern USA. Environ Monit Assess 189, 481 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6158-1

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