Bioaccumulation of PCBs in aquatic biota from a tidal freshwater marsh ecosystem.
Water, sediments, and aquatic biota were sampled in a tidal river-marsh on the Potomac River near Washington, DC (USA) to assess baseline concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and bioaccumulation in finish species. The mean sediment total-PCB concentration in the wetland was 50 ng/g dry weight, and mean concentrations in biota ranged from 150 ng/g to 450 ng/g wet weight. The highest PCB concentrations were observed in channel catfish. The median biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) estimated in all finfish species for total-PCBs was 2.9. However, some of the individual and co-eluting PCB congeners had median BSAFs that were substantially greater (e.g., congener numbers 42, 74, 182/187/128, and 171) or lower (e.g., congener numbers 18/15, 45, 185, and 208) than the total-PCB average. Apparent bioaccumulation factors (biota/water PCB concentration ratios) for PCB congeners showed a parabolic relation with n-octanol/water partition coefficients, confirming some previous investigations. There was no clear trend between apparent bioaccumulation factors and trophic level. Organic-carbon-normalized sediment distribution constants (sediment/water PCB concentration ratios) were linearly related to the apparent bioaccumulation factors for all the finfish species investigated.
Crimmins
B S
BS
Department of Chemistry, MSN 3E2, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
Brown
P Doelling
PD
Kelso
D P
DP
Foster
G D
GD
D000818:Animals; D004219:District of Columbia; D017753:Ecosystem; D005399:Fishes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D020387:Food Chain; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls