Mollusc and sediment contaminant levels and trends in South Florida coastal Waters

Abstract

During the past 50 years, the south Florida ecosystem has been subject to an increase in human population and anthropogenic activity. Concentrations of organic and inorganic contaminants in sediments and molluscs collected in south Florida from 1986 to 1994 show temporal and spatial trends that reflect anthropogenic influence in areas removed from large population centers. Generally, contaminant levels found in south Florida sites are low compared with those found nationwide and as low as any found in uncontaminted sites in Central and South America for which bivalves were collected as part of the International Mussel Watch Program.