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D.J. Cain

Publications and source records attributed to D.J. Cain.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
USGS1990

Distribution and transport of sediment-bound metal contaminants in the Rio Grande de Tarcoles, Costa Rica (Central America)

A reconnaissance survey of the extent of metal contamination in the Rio Grande de Tarcoles river system of Costa Rica indicated high levels of chromium (Cr) in the fine-grain bed sediments (<60 μ m) of tributaries downstream from leather tanneries (50–83 times Cr background or 3000–5000 μg/g). In the main channel of the river downstream of the San Jose urban area, Cr contamination in sediments was 4–6 times background and remained relatively constant over 50 km to the mouth of the river. Sediments from a mangrove swamp at the river mouth had Cr levels 2–3 times above background. Similar patterns of dilution were observed for lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) sediment contamination, although the contamination levels were lower. The high affinity of Cr towards particulate phases, probably as Cr(III), allows the use of Cr contamination levels for delineating regions of deposition of fine-grained sediments and dilution of particle associated contaminants during transport and deposition.

Water Research↗
USGS1985

Copper and silver accumulation in transplanted and resident clams (Macoma balthica) in South San Francisco Bay

Accumulation of Cu and Ag by soft tissues of the deposit-feeding clam Macoma balthica was less than half in clams transplanted to a contaminated area than in clams native to that area. During a period of tissue growth, the transplants retained 50% and 90%, respectively, of the net Cu and Ag accumulated, but loss of metals from soft tissue by the resident population equalled net accumulation. Copper accumulation in the transplants did not occur during some periods when increases in the metal body burden of the resident population indicated that environmental exposures were high. The difference in metal accumulation of the two groups of clams may be the result of past environmental exposures. The results illustrate some limitations of using transplants as indicators of pollution events or of pollutant impact upon resident populations.

California↗
USGS1984

Comparison of sediments and organisms in identifying sources of biologically available trace metal contamination

Sediments and an indicator organism (Macoma balthica, a deposit-feeding bivalve) were used to assess the relative importance of secondary sewage, urban runoff, a landfill containing metal-enriched ash wastes and a yacht harbor in contributing to Ag, Cu and Zn enrichment in South San Francisco Bay. Spatial gradients in sediments and organisms showed Cu and Ag enrichment originated from sewage discharge, whereas Zn enrichment originated from both sewage and urban runoff. Elevated concentrations of Cu in the sediments of the yacht harbor resulted from a high abundance of fine particles. The biological availability of Cu, Ag and Zn did not coincide with metal enrichment in sediments. The availability of Cu and Ag was greatest nearest the sewage outfall and greater in winter and spring than in summer. The availability of Zn in urban runoff appeared to be lower than the availability of Zn associated with sewage.

Water Research↗
USGS1983

Variable tolerance to copper in two species from San Francisco Bay

In static toxicity experiments, tolerance to soluble Cu of the bivalve, Macoma balthica, and the copepod, Acartia clausi, varied substantially among populations sampled within San Francisco Bay. Intraspecific tolerance differed ten-fold or more for both species over relatively small distances, suggesting geographical isolation of populations is not a prerequisite for the development of intraspecific differences in tolerance by aquatic organisms.In static toxicity experiments, tolerance to soluble Cu of the bivalve, Macoma balthica, and the copepod, Acartia clausi, varied substantially among populations sampled within San Francisco Bay. Intraspecific tolerance differed ten-fold or more for both species over relatively small distances, suggesting geographical isolation of populations is not a prerequisite for the development of intraspecific differences in tolerance by aquatic organisms.

California↗
USGS1980

Determining the availability of sediment-bound trace metals to aquatic deposit-feeding animals

Physicochemical form affects, by as much as 1000 fold, the uptake rate by deposit-feeding clams of metals bound to sediments. The strength of metal binding to the different sedimentary binding substrates controls this effect. Statistical studies that were spatially intensive (comparing 35 stations in 17 estuaries) and temporally intensive (2 stations through 2 years time) indicate that sediments control the availability of Ag, Cd, Co, Pb, Zn, Fe, and Mn, and possibly Cu to clams and polychaete worms in nature. Metal concentrations removed from sediments by chemical extractants generally follow availability better than do total metal concentrations, but the specific extractant differs among different metals. Concentrations of binding substrates (Fe, Mn, organic carbon, humic substances) also statistically explain a proportion of the variance of metal concentrations in the animals, suggesting that metal partitioning among substrates in sediments is an important control on metal availability. The specific substrates which contribute to availability also differ among metals. Statistical assessment of metal form in sediments suggested that different substrates compete for the partitioning of metals, that each metal is partitioned among a variety of forms in an oxidized sediment, and that partitioning will vary with the physicochemical characteristics of the sediments. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗