Heavy metal concentrations in northern water snakes (Nerodia sipedon) from East Fork Poplar Creek and the Little River, East Tennessee, USA
Campbell KR, Campbell TS, Burger J. 2005. Heavy metal concentrations in northern water snakes (Nerodia sipedon) from East Fork Poplar Creek and the Little River, East Tennessee, USA. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 49:239-248
Scientists compared metal levels in tissues of northern water snakes (Nerodia sipedon) collected from the upper reach of East Fork Poplar Creek (EFPC) in the United States Department of Energy's National Security Complex with concentrations in tissues of northern water snakes from a reference reach of the Little River downstream from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). The primary objective was to determine if northern water snakes were suitable bioindicators of metal contamination. Results showed levels of arsenic, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury, and selenium were significantly higher in the blood, kidney, liver, muscle, and skin of EFPC northern water snakes compared with tissues of snakes from the reference site in GRSM. In addition, even though female water snakes were larger than male snakes, there was no significanct increase in metal concentration in the tissues of females, possibly due to the maternal transfer of metals to eggs, according to the researchers.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Campbell, K; Campbell, T; Burger, J
- Units
- ARD , GRSM
- Keywords
- AIRBIB, ARD_Park-Air-Info_Collection, concentrations, Contaminants, Heavy Metals, Mercury, Tissues, Toxics, water snakes