Testing the toxicity of sediments contaminated with diesel fuel
using glochidia and juvenile mussels (Bivalvia, Unionidae)
A.E. Keller*a, D.S. Ruesslera,
C.M. Chaffeeb
US. Geological Survey, Biological
Resources Division, Florida Caribbean Science Center, Gainesville,
FL 32653, USA US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bloomington Field
Office, Bloomington, IN 47403, USA
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Abstract
Sediment toxicity was evaluated for one site upstream
and three sites downstream of a diesel fuel spill that occurred
in Fish Creek (OH and IN) in September 1993 using glochidia and
juvenile unionid mussels. This fourth order tributary of the St.
Joseph River has the only known remaining population of white cat's
paw pearly mussel, Epioblasma obliquata perobliqua, and populations
of several other federal and state endangered mussels. The impact
of the oil spill was of treat concern because of the potential long
term threat it poses to the survival of these mussels. Sediment
samples collected two years after the spill contained low heavy
metal concentrations, and detectable, but not quantifiable levels
of organic components of diesel fuel. These levels coincided with
their lack of toxicity to juvenile Villosa villosa and Lampsilis
siliquoidea mussels after 9-day exposures. Fish Creek sediments
may be toxic to L. siliquoidea glochidia.
© 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd and AEHMS. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Lampsilis siliquoidea;
Epioblasma obliquata perobliqua; Fish Creek
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