Cleaning Clams

Scientists and students have been placing clams in streams and rivers near industries and highways.  The down clams placed downs stream of the location will absorb the water and any toxins inside the water.  This gives scientists an easy way to see what toxins are present in the water ways and figure out what must be done to maintain balance of the ecosystem.  The clams also naturally help clean the water because they are filter feeders absorbing nutrients and whatever else that is bad out of the water also helping the ecosystem.  Chemicals like PCB’s, lead, arsenic, and insecticides are pollutants that cause harm when they are too prevalent or prevalent for too long.   If they don’t keep up with the pollutants affect on the environment it could eventually start to affect our water and health.  The clams are just a way to understand the level of toxins in the water but its necessary to understand the biological situation of the water system.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2009/0110-clam_cleanup.htm