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Bioconcentration

Journal Article · · Environmental Science and Technology; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00081a001· OSTI ID:6254926
 [1]
  1. Dow Chemical Co., Midland, MI (USA)
Bioconcentration is the process of accumulation of water-borne chemicals by fish and other aquatic animals through nondietary routes. A proportionality constant relating the concentration of a chemical in water to its concentration in the aquatic animal at steady-state equilibrium is the bioconcentration factor (BCF). The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate the hypothesis that hydrophobicity is the principal determinant of bioconcentration in aquatic animals and examine the dependence of bioconcentration on species, body size, and environmental factors. BCFs for a variety of chemical classes are evaluated for their conformity to the hydrophobicity model of bioconcentration, and an alternative conceptual model of bioconcentration incorporating animal physiology is presented.
OSTI ID:
6254926
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