Distribution and geochemistry of shells of extant molluscs of the Hudson Estuary, New York.
Item
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Title
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Distribution and geochemistry of shells of extant molluscs of the Hudson Estuary, New York.
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Identifier
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AAI3115287
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identifier
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3115287
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Creator
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Rudolph, Elizabeth.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Jeffrey C. Steiner
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Date
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2004
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Environmental Sciences | Biogeochemistry | Biology, Ecology | Biology, Zoology
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Abstract
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Estuarine bivalves constitute excellent potential markers of metal-influx stemming from upstream industrialization since they tend to be immobile but otherwise extremely reactive to environmental stresses. To date there is meager information regarding the concentration of metals in mollusc shells from estuarine environments (Dodd, 1965; Borbas et al, 1991; Babukutty and Chacko, 1992; Zamarreno et al, 1996), although significant advances have been made with regard to the metal content of soft tissues in organisms residing in estuarine environments (Leung et al, 2002; Wang, 1999; Bordin et al, 1996; and others). The purpose of this study is to characterize the benthic species within the lower reaches of the Hudson Estuary examining in particular: (1) Evidence for a changing benthic community since the 1970s research. (2) Evidence for systematic variation in the trace metal content of mollusc shells as a function of salinity and channel characteristics. (3) Evidence for systematic distortion of the unit cell structure of mollusc shells related to trace metal content. The benthic community structure has modified over the past 20 years with a marked shift in the Macoma balthica range from Manhattan to Piermont with the heaviest population near the upper west side of Manhattan. This finding does not appear to be salinity controlled. Mya arenaria and Mytilopsis leucophaeta have each suffered a population decline that may result from either poor water or sediment quality or stresses from competition. This research publishes the first recorded occurrence of Rangea cuneata in the Croton-on-Hudson area and north. Trace metal variation and the resultant influence on shell structure, in Macoma balthica shells are arguably indicators of the health of the estuarine environment. The variation is a result of a dynamic combination of differential metal sequestering due to salinity variation and local metal availability.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
