Significance of environment and chronology on distribution of 16 elements (Na to Sr) in the shells of living oysters

Abstract

Although use of the shells of bivalves has been suggested for monitoring metals in natural waters, little is known of the relationship of environmental conditions and age of molluscs with the concentration and distribution of elements in the shells. This report covers technical aspects as well as some preliminary results for an experiment designed to provide information of the effects of these parameters. Using in-air and -helium PIXE, monthly analyses, covering a 7 month period, have been made on new shells of 10 young American oysters growing in each of three habitats: (I) filtered Atlantic seawater, fed cultured algae; (II) as for I with addition of silt from the Broadkill estuary; and (III) Broadkill estuary. Weekly analyses were also performed on particulates collected on 0.45 μm pore filters. After the 7 month period oysters were sacrificed, and soft tissues dried to constant weight and analyzed. Although definitive conclusions cannot be drawn until the study is completed, results demonstrate certain effects which suggest further experimentation.