Understanding transplanted oysters as bioindicators of trace organic contamination
- Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX (United States). Geochemical and Environmental Research Group
This study was designed to examine the uptake and depuration of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by transplanted oysters (Crassostrea virginica) under field conditions in Galveston Bay, Texas. Oyster were transplanted from a relative pristine area to a highly contaminated location near the Houston Ship Channel. During 48 days, the concentrations of individual PAHs and PCBs in transplanted oysters were compared to the levels found in indigenous oysters. Four and fie-ring PAHs were rapidly bioaccumulated by transplanted oysters and apparent equilibrium concentrations were reached after 20 to 30 days of exposure to the new environmental conditions. One month after the experiment started, no statistically significant differences were observed in the concentration of individual PAHs or the distributions of PAHs grouped by ring number between indigenous and transplanted oysters. PCBs were also bioconcentrated during the uptake period although the final total concentrations were lower than those measured in indigenous oysters. Low molecular weight PCBs were rapidly taken up by transplanted oysters and reached an equilibrium plateau at the end of the seven-week exposure period. In contrast, the uptake of high molecular weight PCBs was significantly slower and a final equilibrium with environmental levels was not observed. Oysters can be useful tools in biomonitoring studies but results differ for different trace organic contaminants. While PAH and low molecular weight PCB concentrations reach a steady-state within about one month, high molecular weight PCB congeners require a much longer period of time, i.e. over 6 months.
- OSTI ID:
- 455309
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-961149--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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