Spatial Changes in Trace Elemental Water Chemistry in the Piedmont Ecoregion with Applications for Understanding Fish Movement
Trace elemental water chemistry in aquatic systems is primarily derived from the underlying geology of surrounding watersheds. Trace elements can be absorbed from the environment and become permanently incorporated into certain calcified structures of fish. Comparison of the trace elemental chemistr...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Hydrobiology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9917/4/2/9 |
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| Summary: | Trace elemental water chemistry in aquatic systems is primarily derived from the underlying geology of surrounding watersheds. Trace elements can be absorbed from the environment and become permanently incorporated into certain calcified structures of fish. Comparison of the trace elemental chemistry of these structures with the chemical signature of water from the watershed in which a fish was captured can help identify movement patterns. The goal of this study was to create a relatively fine scale baseline for the trace elemental water chemistry of the Chattahoochee, Ocmulgee, Oconee, and Savannah rivers within the Piedmont ecoregion of Georgia, U.S., and to distinguish any trace elements that may be useful in delineating different reaches. Principal component analysis was used to analyze ratios of Ba:Ca, Mg:Ca, Mn:Ca, Na:Ca, and Sr:Ca from samples in each river. Results suggest that Ba:Ca and Sr:Ca ratios may be useful in delimiting river reaches in each system. In addition, Na:Ca and Mn:Ca ratios may have some utility in further differentiating reaches in the Chattahoochee and Savannah rivers, respectively. The ability of these elements to differentiate reaches within these rivers lends support for their utility in fish microchemistry studies to help better understand and manage fish in these systems. |
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| ISSN: | 2673-9917 |