Novel chlorinated terphenyls in sediments and shellfish of an estuarine environment

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Environmental Science and Technology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00081a016· OSTI ID:6254907

Hale, R C; Greaves, J; Gallagher, K; Vadas, G G ^[1]

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1. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point (USA)

Polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs) are structurally similar to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and have been used in analogous applications. Aroclor 5432, a PCT formulation whose congeners contain predominantly two to five chlorines, was detected in sediments and oysters from a saltmarsh creek and an adjacent Chesapeake Bay tributary, Back River. Reports of the occurrence of Aroclor 5432 are virtually nonexistent, although sporadic reports of the more highly chlorinated PCT formulation Aroclor 5460 have been published. Capillary gas chromatography with electrolytic conductivity detection was used for quantitation. Identifications were confirmed by both electron ionization and negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Sediment concentrations detected were as high as 250,000 {mu}g/kg (dry-weight basis). Oysters collected from these areas contained up to 35,000 {mu}g/kg. This value is equivalent to 6,300 {mu}g/kg, on a wet-weight basis, and exceeds the applicable US limit for PCBs in edible shellfish by more than a factor of 3.

• OSTI ID: 6254907
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology; (USA), Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology; (USA) Vol. 24:11; ISSN ESTHA; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
AROMATICS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BAYS
CHESAPEAKE BAY
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
ESTUARIES
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
INVERTEBRATES
MEASURING METHODS
MOLLUSCS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OYSTERS
SEAS
SEDIMENTS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SURFACE WATERS