The effects of copper pollution on fouling assemblage diversity: a tropical-temperate comparison.

Background: The invasion of habitats by non-indigenous species (NIS) occurs at a global scale and can generate significant ecological, evolutionary, economic and social consequences. Estuarine and coastal ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to pollution from numerous sources due to years of human-induced degradation and shipping. Pollution is considered as a class of disturbance with anthropogenic roots and recent studies have concluded that high frequencies of disturbance may facilitate invasions by increasing the availability of resources.

Historical contamination of the Anacostia River, Washington, D.C.

The tidal Anacostia River in Washington DC has long been impacted by various sources of chemical pollution over the past 200 years. To explore more recent inputs of various chemicals, six sediment cores were collected for dating and chemical analysis in the downstream section of the tidal Anacostia River. Profiles of contaminants in sediment cores can be useful in determining management direction and effectiveness of pollution controls over time.

Shellfish face uncertain future in high CO2 world: influence of acidification on oyster larvae calcification and growth in estuaries.

Background: Human activities have increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide by 36% during the past 200 years. One third of all anthropogenic CO(2) has been absorbed by the oceans, reducing pH by about 0.1 of a unit and significantly altering their carbonate chemistry.

Cadmium distribution in coastal sediments and mollusks of the US.

Cadmium (Cd) concentrations in the coastal United States were assessed using the National Status and Trends (NS&T) Mussel Watch dataset, which is based on the analysis of sediments and bivalves collected from 280 sites since 1986. Using the 1997 sediment data, Pearson correlation (r=0.44, p<0.

Modeling arsenic in the Patuxent Estuary.

A water quality model was developed to track the fate and transport of four arsenic species in the Patuxent Estuary: arsenate (As(V)), arsenite (As(III)), methylarsonate (MMA), and dimethylarsinate (DMA). Processes simulated include mass transport, solid-liquid partitioning with suspended solids, uptake and transformation of As(V) by phytoplankton, oxidation of As(III), demethylation of MMA and DMA, and settling/deposition/ resuspension of particulate arsenic in the water column. A sediment module was also developed and linked with the water column to generate fluxes of inorganic arsenic from the sediment bed.

Differences in the bioaccumulation of arsenic by oysters from Southeast coastal US and Chesapeake Bay: environmental versus genetic control.

The potential sources of relatively great concentrations of arsenic (As) in oysters from the Southeastern United States coast was examined in a study conducted from August 1998 through October 1999. A transplant experiment was conducted to determine whether genetic or environmental differences accounted for the observed difference between Southeastern oysters, and oysters elsewhere on the east coast. Oysters originating in South Carolina (a region where As in oysters is usually greater) and Maryland (a region where arsenic is oysters is less) were reciprocally transplanted to determine whether site of growth or site of origin would determine the accumulation of As.