Accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyl congeners from Lake Champlain sediments by Mysis relicta

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1994 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1897/1552-8618(1994)13[1825:AOPBCF]2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:7101698

Lester, D C; McIntosh, A ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Vermont, Burlington, VT (United States). Vermont Water Resources and Lake Studies Center

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) from Lake Champlain often exceed the F.D.A. tolerance level of 2 [mu]g/g (wet weight). Of added concern are recent studies that suggest a relationship between the dioxin-like properties of non-ortho-substituted PCB congeners and impaired lake trout egg hatchability. Dietary accumulation of PCBs is thought to be an important exposure route for fish. The epibenthic freshwater shrimp Mysis relicta is an integral part of the benthic and pelagic food web in lake Champlain and may act as a link between PCBs in sediments and lake trout. Previous investigations have shown that diurnal migrations of mysids enhance the movement and distribution of toxic contaminants, effectively coupling the benthic and pelagic zones. The objective of this research was to examine the role contaminated sediments play in the transfer of PCBs to mysids. Bioaccumulation was assessed by exposing mysids to such sediments in two ways: (a) with organisms screened from sediments; and (b) with organisms in direct contact with sediments. Accumulation of PCBs over the course of the 24-day exposure period was examined on the following days: 0, 3, 6, 12, 21, and 24. Eighty-nine individual PCB congeners were measured in tissue and sediment. Mysids in direct contact with sediments accumulated significantly higher levels of PCBs than did organisms screened from sediments. Mysids accumulated substantial levels of PCBs, suggesting they may play an important part in the transfer of PCBs from sediments into the Lake Champlain food web. It is clear from this research that sediments can play a critical role in the accumulation of PCBs by mysids.

• OSTI ID: 7101698
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States), Vol. 13:11; ISSN 0730-7268
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
FOOD CHAINS
CONTAMINATION
LAKES
WATER POLLUTION
NEW YORK
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
SEDIMENTS
SHRIMP
SENSITIVITY
TROUT
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
AROMATICS
ARTHROPODS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CRUSTACEANS
DECAPODS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
FISHES
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
INVERTEBRATES
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SURFACE WATERS
USA
VERTEBRATES
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology