Partitioning and bioaccumulation of di-, tri- and tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and -furans in a riverine environment
- Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada). Freshwater Inst.
- National Water Research Inst., Burlington, Ontario (Canada)
- Environment Canada, Calgary, Alberta (Canada)
- Alberta Environment, Edmonton (Canada)
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and -dibenzofurans were determined in large volume water samples, suspended sediments, depositional sediments, macroinvertebrates, and fishes from the Athabasca River (AB) at 5 sites downstream from a bleached kraft pulp and paper mill during April 1992. 2,8-di- and 2,3,8-trichlorofurans predominated in mill effluent, dissolved phase, and suspended solids. Fishes generally had higher TCDD concentrations than macroinvertebrates. Concentrations of TCDD/F (wet wts and lipid normalized) were significantly higher for mountain whitefish (insectivores) than for long-nosed suckers (detritivores) and northern pike (piscivores). Observed BCFs for TCDD and TCDF were similar; ranging from 1.6--21 {times} 10{sup 6} for mountain whitefish and 2.8--34 {times} 10{sup 6} for northern pike. BSAFs in whitefish had a much narrower range than BCFs or BSAFs based on bottom sediments. BSAFs based on suspended sediment may prove useful in prediction of TCDD/F bioaccumulation in riverine ecosystems provided that site specific factors such as food chain characteristics are accounted for.
- OSTI ID:
- 42907
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9410273--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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