Freshwater mussel shells (Unionidae) chronicle changes in a North American river over the past 1000years

The Illinois River was substantially altered during the 20th century with the installation of navigational locks and dams, construction of extensive levee networks, and degradation of water quality. Freshwater mussels were affected by these changes. We used sclerochronology and stable isotopes to ev...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Science of the total environment 2017-01, Vol.575, p.199-206
Main Authors: Fritts, Andrea K., Fritts, Mark W., Haag, Wendell R., DeBoer, Jason A., Casper, Andrew F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amblema plicata
Animal Shells - chemistry
Animals
Carbon Isotopes - analysis
Eutrophication
Freshwater
Growth
Historical ecology
Illinois
Isotope
Nitrogen Isotopes - analysis
Quadrula quadrula
Rivers - chemistry
Sclerochronology
Unionidae
Unionidae - growth & development
United States
von Bertalanffy
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Summary:The Illinois River was substantially altered during the 20th century with the installation of navigational locks and dams, construction of extensive levee networks, and degradation of water quality. Freshwater mussels were affected by these changes. We used sclerochronology and stable isotopes to evaluate changes over time in age-and-growth and food sources for two mussel species: Amblema plicata and Quadrula quadrula. Specimens were collected in years 1894, 1897, 1909, 1912, 1966, and 2013, and archeological specimens were collected circa 850. The von Bertalanffy growth parameter (K) was similar between 850 and 1897, but it increased by 1912 and remained elevated through 2013. Predicted maximum size (Linf) increased over the past millennium, and 2013 individuals were over 50% larger than in 850. Growth indices showed similar patterns of continual increases in growth. Shells were enriched in 13C and 15N during the 20th century, but exhibited a partial return to historical conditions by 2013. These patterns are likely attributable to impoundment, nutrient pollution and eutrophication beginning in the early 20th century followed by recent water quality improvement. [Display omitted] •Examined changes in mussel growth and shell isotopes after long-term human impacts•Mussel growth and size increased over the past 1000years, mainly after 1900.•δ13C (periostracum) increased after 1900, but returned to historical levels after 1960s.•δ15N (periostracum) increased after 1900 and remains elevated relative to historical levels.•Shell growth and isotopic signatures track eutrophication and other human impacts
ISSN:0048-9697
1879-1026
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.225