Life Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Contaminated St. Lucie River Saltwater Sediments On An Amphipod (Ampelisca Abdita) And A Hard-Shell Clam (Mercenaria Mercenaria), Tham C. Hoang, Gary M. Rand

School of Environmental Sustainability: Faculty Publications and Other Works

The St. Lucie estuary (SLE) ecosystem in South Florida has been shown to be contaminated with metals and pesticides. Our earlier studies also showed that aquatic organisms, especially benthic species in the SLE ecosystem, might be potentially at high risk from copper (Cu) exposure. The objectives of this study were to conduct studies with separate groups of organisms exposed to seven field-collected sediment samples from the St. Lucie River according to standard procedures to evaluate toxicity and tissue concentrations of Cu and zinc (Zn). Short term and longer term whole sediment acute toxicity studies were performed with Ampelisca abdita and …