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Long-term fate and bioavailability of sediment-associated polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins in aquatic mesocosms

Journal Article · · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
;  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Univ. of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada). Dept. of Soil Science
  2. Freshwater Institute, Manitoba (Canada). Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans
  3. Great Lakes Lab. for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Burlington, Ontario (Canada). Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans

The long-term fate of four polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) congeners in sediments and their bioavailability to benthic invertebrates were studied in littoral enclosures located in a small lake at the Experimental Lakes Area in north-western Ontario. The PCDDs sorbed on sediment particles were added to the 5-m-diameter enclosures on June 12, 1985, and concentrations in sediment cores (0 to 6 cm) were determined over 1,800-d ({approximately}5 years). Concentrations of 1,3,6,8-TCDD, 1,3,7,9-TCDD, HpCDD, and OCDD in the sediment declined, with half-lives of 4.4{+-}1.7, 4.6{+-}1.9, 6.2{+-}3.1, and 6.0{+-}2.8 year, respectively. Evaluation of the data for 1,3,6,8-TCDD and OCDD using a sediment-water exchange model suggested that the decline in PCDD concentrations was due to losses to the water column via diffusion of DOC-associated PCDDs in pore water and via particle resuspension. After 5 years the PCDDs remained bioavailable to freshwater mussel (Anodonta grandis) and crayfish (Orconectes virilis) exposed to sediments for up to 78 d. The crayfish had higher mean biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) for 1,3,6,8-TCDD and 1,3,7,9-TCDD (0.31--0.53) than did mussels (0.07--0.13), whereas BSAFs for HpCDD and OCDD in the two species were similar (0.03--0.09).

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
118648
Journal Information:
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 14; ISSN 0730-7268; ISSN ETOCDK
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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