Rates of microbial dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in anaerobic sediments from Waukegan Harbor
Sediments from 19 stations in Waukegan Harbor, Waukegan, Illinois were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) content. Concentrations of PCBs ranged from a high of 17,251 ppm in slip 3 near the former drainage pipe from which PCB contaminated fluids entered the slip to a low of 5 ppm near the harbor mouth. The narrow range of values in slip 3 and at the mouth of the slip contrasts with values from previous studies that reported higher levels toward the mouth of the slip. PCB values also appear to be higher than expected on the west side of the harbor-this may be due to the resuspension and movement of sediments by boat traffic. Sediments from three stations in the harbor with varying levels of PCB contamination were incubated at 8 and 22 C for periods of 0 to 12 months. Data from these experiments indicate that anaerobic dechlorination of PCBs probably occurs in harbor sediments and that 50 percent dechlorination of many congeners occurs in less that 30 days.
- Research Organization:
- Illinois State Geological Survey, Champaign, IL (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 7007268
- Report Number(s):
- PB-92-238906/XAB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
AROMATICS
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CONTAMINATION
DECHLORINATION
DECOMPOSITION
DEHALOGENATION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HARBORS
ILLINOIS
MONITORING
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SEDIMENTS
SUBSTRATES
USA
WATER POLLUTION