Comparison of contaminant accumulation in three species of marine invertebrates with different feeding habits
- TNO Environmental Sciences, Den Helder (Netherlands)
- Vrije Univ., Amsterdam (Netherlands). Dept. of Ecology and Ecotoxicology
In order to assess the importance of the mode of feeding for the bioaccumulation of contaminants from sediments, three marine benthic invertebrates, with different feeding habits, were exposed to contaminated sediments in outdoor mesocosms. Residue analyses were carried out for several polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons after exposure periods of 60 to 140 days. It was shown that sediment ingestion is a major uptake route for the sediment-feeding lugworm, Arenicola marina, and for the facultative deposit-feeding baltic tellin, Macoma balthica. Residues in the filter-feeding mussel, Mytilus edulis, appeared to be independent of contaminant concentrations in the sediment. The difference between deposit and filter-feeding bivalves was confirmed in experiments involving the baltic tellin, with differences in the food availability in the overlying water. A simple linear regression model was used to describe contaminant concentrations in sediment-feeding invertebrates as a function of concentrations in sediment. A correction for the accumulation from water was made by subtracting the concentrations in filter feeders. It was concluded that chemical equilibrium partitioning alone is not sufficient for the assessment of the risks of contaminated sediments to sediment-feeding invertebrates, but that feeding habits should also be considered.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 514528
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Vol. 16, Issue 5; Other Information: PBD: May 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Intestinal solubilization of particle-associated organic and inorganic mercury as a measure of bioavailability to benthic invertebrates
Field-verification program (aquatic disposal): comparison of field and laboratory bioaccumulation of organic and inorganic contaminants from Black Rock Harbor dredged material. Final report