Heavy Metal Uptake in Donax variabilis

Presentation Type

Event

Full Name of Faculty Mentor

Kevin McWilliams

Major

Marine Science

Minor

Chemistry

Presentation Abstract

Donax variabilis, or the coquina clam, is a filter feeding invertebrate that is commonly found on the eastern coast of the United States, ranging from Texas in the Gulf of Mexico, to Virginia in the Atlantic. These organisms filter feed in order to obtain their food, and as a result, accumulate elements found in the water column. Some of these elements include the heavy metals, such as Cr, Ni, Pb, Al, and others. These heavy metals, while necessary in small amounts, can become toxic in higher concentrations. This project works with these coquina clams in order to determine the concentrations of these trace metals in the Grand Strand coastal areas in South Carolina, and provide evidence on the biomagnification of these elements in organisms in higher trophic levels. The determination of these concentrations were determined using a Shimadzu flame spectrometer.

Course

CHEM 499

Location

Lib Jackson Student Union, Atrium

Start Date

17-4-2019 4:30 PM

End Date

17-4-2019 6:30 PM

Disciplines

Oceanography

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Apr 17th, 4:30 PM Apr 17th, 6:30 PM

Heavy Metal Uptake in Donax variabilis

Lib Jackson Student Union, Atrium

Donax variabilis, or the coquina clam, is a filter feeding invertebrate that is commonly found on the eastern coast of the United States, ranging from Texas in the Gulf of Mexico, to Virginia in the Atlantic. These organisms filter feed in order to obtain their food, and as a result, accumulate elements found in the water column. Some of these elements include the heavy metals, such as Cr, Ni, Pb, Al, and others. These heavy metals, while necessary in small amounts, can become toxic in higher concentrations. This project works with these coquina clams in order to determine the concentrations of these trace metals in the Grand Strand coastal areas in South Carolina, and provide evidence on the biomagnification of these elements in organisms in higher trophic levels. The determination of these concentrations were determined using a Shimadzu flame spectrometer.