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C-18-coated silica particles as a surrogate for benthic uptake of hydrophobic compounds from bedded sediment

Journal Article · · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
;  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Environmental Protection Agency, Narragansett, RI (United States). National Health and Environmental Effects Lab.
  2. Science Applications International Corp., Narragansett, RI (United States)
  3. Computer Science Corp., Narragansett, RI (United States)

To simulate the bioaccumulation of neutral organic contaminants by infaunal benthos, the partitioning of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) between a contaminated estuarine sediment and admixed C-18-coated silica particles was measured. The concentrations of lower chlorinated PCB congeners (less than five chlorine atoms per molecule) on the C-18-coated silica particles reached apparent steady state within 300 h while congeners with greater numbers of chlorine atoms required much greater time periods (greater than 1 year) to reach apparent steady state. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons showed less partitioning from sediment to the C-18 particles than PCB congeners, although the log K{sub ow} ranges of the compounds in these comparisons were similar. The biota sediment accumulation factors, defined as the lipid-normalized contaminant concentration in an exposed organisms divided by the organic carbon-normalized contaminant concentration of the sediment, were calculated for these exposures using the C-18 of the particles as the lipid. The results from these exposures agreed closely with those measured in studies where living benthic organisms were exposed to contaminated sediment.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
483698
Journal Information:
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 15; ISSN ETOCDK; ISSN 0730-7268
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English