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U.S. Department of Energy
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Bioaccumulation of organic contaminants by benthic invertebrates of the Chesapeake Bay

Conference ·
OSTI ID:458334
;  [1]
  1. Coll. of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA (United States)

In situ partitioning of PCBs and PAHs between benthic invertebrates and the environment has been compared to previously obtained laboratory bioaccumulation results. Previous laboratory studies show a characteristic nonlinear plot when bioaccumulation factors (BAF) are plotted against octanol-water partition coefficients (K{sub ow}), on a log-log scale. This phenomena can be explained by desorption and elimination kinetics. However preliminary in situ studies show a different relationship between field BAFs and K{sub ow} which may be explained by other biogeochemical factors. In situ and laboratory PAH and PCB partitioning measurements will be used to determine major mechanisms affecting contaminant bioaccumulation.

OSTI ID:
458334
Report Number(s):
CONF-961149--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English