Silver can Affect Fish Reproduction in San Francisco Bay
USGS scientists have been studying the effects of silver on reproduction
in marine life in the San Francisco Bay. Traditional biological-assessment
methods conducted in a laboratory indicate little adverse effects from
silver, especially on fish, at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Field studies, however, show significant reproductive damage associated
with exposure to silver. Thus, the field studies raise a cautionary flag
regarding the use of traditional laboratory-based assessments for decision
making. The City of Palo Alto, California, has used results from the USGS
study to indicate the value of its improved wastewater treatment and source-reduction
programs. The City has received national awards for its source-reduction
program, part of which involves the use of USGS data.
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- Lee, B.-G., Griscom, S.B., Lee, J.-S., Choi, H.J., Koh, C.-H., Luoma, S.N., and Fischer, N.S., 2000, Influences of dietary uptake and reactive sulfides on metal bioavailability from aquatic sediments: Science, v. 287, no. 5451, p. 282-284.
- Lee, B.-G., Lee, J.-S., Luoma, S.N., Choi, H.J., and Koh, C.-H., 2000, Influence of acid volatile sulfides and metal concentrations on metal bioavailability to marine invertebrates in contaminated sediments: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 34, no. 21, p. 4517-4523.
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