Trophic transfer of sediment-associated polychlorinated biphenyls from meiobenthos to bottom-feeding fish
- Univ. of South Carolina, Columbia, SC (United States)
Experiments were conducted to examine the dynamics of the sediment-associated polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) using a benthic-based trophic transfer model (sediments to benthic copepods to juvenile fish). Field-collected benthic copepods were exposed to sublethal levels of PCB in sediments for 96 h. Accumulation of PCB was measured in the copepods, and these contaminated copepods were fed to the juvenile fish predator Leiostomus xanthurus in uncontaminated sediments. After gut clearance, whole fish were homogenized and examined for PCB accumulation. Similar experiments with L. xanthurus in which meals of uncontaminated copepods were fed in PCB-contaminated sediments were conducted to determine the relative roles of contaminated sediments and contaminated copepod prey ingestion to PCB transfer. Total PCB transfer as well as PCB congener group contributions were examined. A total of 30 congeners were grouped according to log K{sub ow} increments and according to chlorine homologue groups. Copepods exposed to PCB-contaminated sediments to 90 {micro}g/g accumulated PCBs to 326 {micro}g/g dry weight. Accumulation of PCB in fish feeding in contaminated sediments was five times higher than that in fish feeding on contaminated prey in uncontaminated sediments (p = 0.0498). In terms of congener patterns, log K{sub ow} grouping provided clearer discrimination between groups. Congener patterns were similar in PCB stock solution, sediments, and copepods and were different in the two fish treatments. K{sub ow} group relative accumulation patterns in fish were mixed. The chlorine homologue groups revealed that the fish preferentially accumulated the tetrachlorinated congeners relative to copepods and sediments.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 561971
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 16; ISSN ETOCDK; ISSN 0730-7268
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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