Accumulation of toxic organic pollutants in the blue crab Callinectes sapidus
Levels of toxic organic pollutants (TOP) were examined in the blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, of Virginia waters. Alkyl substituted polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (ASPAH), thought derived from weathered petroleum, were the most common organic pollutants present. Unsubstituted aromatics, heterosubstituted aromatics, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), and DDT metabolites were also detected by the analytical procedure employed. Highest levels of ASPAH were found in crabs from the heavily industrialized Hampton Roads area of the James River. Lower concentrations were detected in crabs from the Pocomoke Sound, the upper James and the Rappahannock River sampling sites. PCB levels were elevated in samples taken from both James River stations. Levels of TOP were generally higher in crabs sampled in June than in September of 1981. Concentrations of pollutants in the tissues and tissue lipid content were correlated. Highest levels of both were detected in the hepatopancreas, followed by egg, ovary and muscle. TOP levels in field samples in in-vivo biotransformation of the model compound benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) in the hepatopancreas, during in-laboratory experiments, suggested that differences may exist in the uptake and elimination of pollutants as a function of the sex and maturity of the crabs. It appeared that the metabolism of aromatic hydrocarbons varied with the molt stage of the crabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 5928195
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AGE DEPENDENCE
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
AROMATICS
ARTHROPODS
BENZOPYRENE
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CONDENSED AROMATICS
CONTAMINATION
CRABS
CRUSTACEANS
DDT
DECAPODS
DISTRIBUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION III
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HYDROCARBONS
INSECTICIDES
INVERTEBRATES
METABOLISM
METABOLITES
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
PESTICIDES
PETROLEUM
POLLUTION
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
RIVERS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SEX DEPENDENCE
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
UPTAKE
USA
VARIATIONS
VIRGINIA
WATER POLLUTION