title: Distribution of polychlorinated biphenyl residues in sediments and blue mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Port Elizabeth Harbour, South Africa.
abstract: Sediment and Mytilus galloprovincialis samples collected from the Port Elizabeth Harbour were analysed for six indicator PCB congeners to assess their contamination status. The concentrations of total PCBs in sediments and M. galloprovincialis ranged from 0.56 to 2.35 ng/g dry weight and 14.48 to 21.37 ng/g wet weight, respectively. Congeners 138 and 153 were dominant and accounted for an average of 29% and 24% of total PCBs in M. galloprovincialis; 32% and 30% in sediments, respectively. Sediments are home to a wide variety of aquatic life. None of the sediments analysed exceeded the PCB limits recommended the Canadian interim sediment quality guideline and the South African recommended sediment guidelines (21.6 ng/g). Both humans and aquatic life are sensitive to the toxic effects of PCBs.
authors.affiliation: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 77000, Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa. Electronic address: edkampire@gmail.com.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kampire
authors.affiliation: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 77000, Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rubidge
authors.affiliation: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Department of Botany, P.O. Box 77000, Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Adams
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D049880:Mytilus edulis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Mussels; PCBs; Port Elizabeth Harbour; Sediments