Biogenic carbonates, including bivalve shells, record past environmental conditions, but their interpretation requires understanding environmental and biological factors that affect trace metal uptake. We examined stable barium (δBa) and radiogenic strontium (Sr/Sr) isotope ratios in the aragonite shells of four native freshwater mussel species and two invasive species in five streams and assessed the effects of species identity, growth rate, and river water chemistry on shell isotopic composition. Shells were robust proxies for Sr, accurately reflecting Sr/Sr ratios of river water, regardless of species or growth rate.
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