The Use of Transplanted Giant Clamsto Identify Pollutants in Storm Water Dischargesat U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll

摘要

The purpose of this study was to identify pollutants and their sources in the near shore marinernenvironment at U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll. Biomonitoring was conducted in conjunction withrnsediment and storm water sampling. Juvenile giant clams, Tridacna maxima, were deployedrnnear industrial storm water discharges in the Kwajalein Landfill and Harbor, centers of industrialrnactivity, and at a reference site in both the dry season and wet season.rnGiant clams were an effective tool for identifying and monitoring pollution in a coral reefrnenvironment. Elevated levels of metals, PAHs, pesticides, and PCBs were detected in clamsrnfrom both locations. Combining biomonitoring with conventional environmental samplingrnallowed the correlation of pollutants in organisms with sources in the environment. Trends inrnclam tissue, sediment, and storm water data suggested that both sediment and storm water arernsignificant sources of the pollutants detected in clams, and may require additional control orrnremediation.