title: PBDE and PCB accumulation in benthos near marine wastewater outfalls: the role of sediment organic carbon.
abstract: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in sediments and benthic invertebrates near submarine municipal outfalls in Victoria and Vancouver, B.C., Canada, two areas with contrasting receiving environments. PBDE concentrations in wastewater exceeded those of the legacy PCBs by eight times at Vancouver and 35 times at Victoria. Total PBDE concentrations in benthic invertebrates were higher near Vancouver than Victoria, despite lower concentrations in sediments, and correlated with organic carbon-normalized concentrations in sediment. Principal Components Analysis indicated uptake of individual PBDE congeners was determined by sediment properties (organic carbon, grain size), while PCB congener uptake was governed by physico-chemical properties (octanol-water partitioning coefficient). Results suggest the utility of sediment quality guidelines for PBDEs and likely PCBs benefit if based on organic carbon-normalized concentrations. Also, where enhanced wastewater treatment increases the PBDEs to particulate organic carbon ratio in effluent, nearfield benthic invertebrates may face increased PBDE accumulation.
authors.affiliation: Capital Regional District, 625 Fisgard Street, PO Box 1000, Victoria, B.C. V8W 2S6, Canada. pdinn@uvic.ca
authors.forename: Pamela M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Dinn
authors.forename: Sophia C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Johannessen
authors.forename: Peter S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Robie W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Macdonald
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Whiticar
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Roodselaar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000378:metabolism; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000378:metabolism*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014739:Victoria; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D002244:Carbon; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical