Bioaccumulation of PAHs in the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, at Times Beach, New York

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:49584

Roper, J M ^[1]; Cherry, D S ^[1]; Simmers, J W ^[2]

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1. Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg, VA (United States)
2. USAE Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS (United States)

While zebra mussels have not been reported in confined disposal facilities (CDFs), recent reports of zebra mussels in soft sediments indicate a possible concern for dredging and the disposal of dredged material. In response to this concern, an insitu biomonitoring study utilizing the zebra mussel was performed at the Times Beach CDF, in Buffalo, NY. Mussels were placed at the facility for 30 days at sites of known PAH concentrations. The placement occurred at areas of comparably high, intermediate and low total PAH sediment concentrations. At each site the mussels were placed both in the water column and at the sediment surface. Mussels were collected on Day 34 of the study for tissue analysis. Tissues concentrations of total PAHs from mussels placed in water column and the sediment respectively were at the high site 8.4 and 5.6 mg/Kg, the intermediate site 4.3 and 3.3 mg/Kg and low site 3.2 and 2.7 mg/Kg. The following issues will be addressed; PAH concentration in the tissues compared to site sediment concentrations and the accumulation differences of mussels placed in the water column versus those in the sediment. The data indicate that zebra mussel PAH bioaccumulation potential is of environmental concern.

• OSTI ID: 49584
• Report Number(s): CONF-9410273--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
COASTAL WATERS
MUSSELS
NEW YORK
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
SENSITIVITY
WATER POLLUTION