Accumulation of trace elements, pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments and the clam Corbicula manilensis of the Apalachicola River, Florida

The objective of the Apalachicola river quality assessment are outlined and the results of studies to investigate the accumulation of potentially toxic trace elements and organic substances in benthic organisms and sediments of the river, are reported. Samples of bottom sediments, bottom-load detritus, and the Asiatic clam, Corbicula manilensis, were analysed for traces of heavy metals, organochlorine insecticides, organophosphorus insecticides, chlorinated phenoxy-acid herbicides, and PCB. No hazardous levels of any of the substances were found, there were no apparent spatial or temporal trends in concentrations of any of the substances, and there were no correlations between concentrations of trace substances in C.manilensis and those in sediments.