Evaluation of Using Caged Clams to Monitor Contaminated Groundwater Exposure in the Near-Shore Environment of the Hanford Site 300 Area

Larson, Kyle B. ; Poston, Ted M. ; Tiller, Brett L.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (U.S.)

关键词: Clams;    Uranium;    Columbia River;    Ground Water;    Upwelling;   

DOI  :  10.2172/926940
RP-ID  :  PNNL-17270
RP-ID  :  AC05-76RL01830
RP-ID  :  926940

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

The Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea) has been identified as an indicator species for locating and monitoring contaminated groundwater in the Columbia River. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory conducted a field study to explore the use of caged Asiatic clams to monitor contaminated groundwater upwelling in the 300 Area near-shore environment and assess seasonal differences in uranium uptake in relation to seasonal flow regimes of the Columbia River. Additional objectives included examining the potential effects of uranium accumulation on growth, survival, and tissue condition of the clams. This report documents the field conditions and procedures, laboratory procedures, and statistical analyses used in collecting samples and processing the data. Detailed results are presented and illustrated, followed by a discussion comparing uranium concentrations in Asiatic clams collected at the 300 Area and describing the relationship between river discharge, groundwater indicators, and uranium in clams. Growth and survival, histology, and other sources of environmental variation also are discussed.