title: Congener-specific model for polychlorinated biphenyl effects on otter (Lutra lutra) and associated sediment quality criteria.
abstract: A model for risk assessment was built for simultaneous, congener-specific PCB bioaccumulation from sediment to fish to otters (Lutra lutra). Toxic equivalence factors (TEFs) were used to sum individual congeners in otters to a toxic equivalent concentration (TEQ) relative to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Microbial dechlorination and burial in sediments and bioaccumulation are modeled to predict time trends of PCB concentrations in otters. Effects of accumulated PCBs on otters were assessed for vitamin A metabolism and reproduction, taking model uncertainty into account. Three locations in The Netherlands were modeled with PCB levels in sediment of 1 to 171 pg TEQ/g organic carbon (OC). Almost 100% reduction in litter size was predicted for the most polluted area in 1996. Due to large associated uncertainty, a period of 25 to 80 years may be needed for recovery of otter vitamin A levels and litter size at this site. Calculated median sediment quality criteria (SQC) range between 1 and 12 pg TEQ/g OC, depending on the chosen effect criterion. Uncertainty in calculated effects and SQCs is substantial and is mainly caused by uncertainty in PCB congener 126 accumulation.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), PO Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands. tp.traas@rivm.nl
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Traas
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Luttik
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Klepper
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Beurskens
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Smit
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Leonards
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: van Hattum
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aldenberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002713:Chlorine / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D020387:Food Chain; D008297:Male; D008907:Mink / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D010041:Otters / Q000502:physiology*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D011336:Probability; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002713:Chlorine; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls