title: Proof of concept for the use of macroinvertebrates as indicators of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) contamination in Lake Hartwell.
abstract: The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) develops methods and tools for evaluating risk management strategies for sediments contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and other legacy pollutants. Monitored natural recovery is a risk management alternative that relies on existing physical, chemical, and biological processes to contain, destroy, and/or reduce the bioavailability or toxicity of in-place contaminants. These naturally occurring processes are monitored to ensure that management and recovery are progressing as expected. One approach frequently used to evaluate the recovery of contaminated sediments and associated biota is the assessment of contaminant tissue levels, or body burden concentrations, in top trophic level fish. In the present study, aquatic invertebrates were examined as an indicator of recent exposure to PCBs. The approach aimed to determine whether invertebrates collected using artificial substrates (i.e., Hester-Dendy samplers) could be used to discriminate among contaminated sites through the analyses of PCBs in whole homogenates of macroinvertebrates. Macroinvertebrates were sorted, preserved, and analyzed for total PCBs (t-PCBs), by summing 107 PCB congeners. Macroinvertebrate body burden concentrations showed similar trends to sediment t-PCB concentrations at the sites sampled. The results indicate that macroinvertebrates can be used to assess sediment contamination among sites that have different PCB contamination levels.
authors: Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
authors: James M
authors: JM
authors: Lazorchak
authors: Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Assessment, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
authors: Michael B
authors: MB
authors: Griffith
authors: Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Mills
authors: Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Schubauer-Berigan
authors: US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Boise, Idaho, USA.
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: McCormick
authors: Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Brenner
authors: Region 4 Super Fund Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors: Craig
authors: C
authors: Zeller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000378:metabolism*; D060106:Lakes / Q000737:chemistry*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D014481:United States; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Body burden; Contaminated sediments; Macroinvertebrates; Monitored natural recovery; Polychlorinated biphenyls remediation