The Effect Of Tropical Storm Agnes On Heavy Metal And Pesticide Residues In The Eastern Oyster From Southern Chesapeake Bay

Authors

M. E. Bender, Virginia Institute of Marine ScienceFollow
R. J. Huggett, Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Files

Document Type

Book Chapter

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

1976

Book Title

The effects of Tropical Storm Agnes on the Chesapeake Bay Estuarine System

Publisher

Chesapeake Research Consortium

Series

Chesapeake Research Consortium publication ; no. 54

Abstract

The concentrations of cadmium, copper, and zinc in the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, are compared for samples collected before and after Tropical Storm Agnes. The "before" samples consisted of 475 animals from 95 stations collected in January 1971 and the "after" samples of 285 animals from 57 stations collected in January 1973. Shifts in the areal concentrations distributions were observed, apparently due to Agnes. Analyses of hard clams, blue crabs and oysters for chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides showed influx of these compounds to be minimal as reflected by the residue levels observed. Comparison of residue levels in oysters to pre-Agnes conditions revealed a decrease in pesticide body burden.

Recommended Citation

Bender, M. E. and Huggett, R. J., "The Effect Of Tropical Storm Agnes On Heavy Metal And Pesticide Residues In The Eastern Oyster From Southern Chesapeake Bay" (1976). VIMS Books and Book Chapters. 69.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/vimsbooks/69