Role of benthic communities in organic contaminant transport and fate. 2: Bioaccumulation and biotransformation
- Coll. of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA (United States). School of Marine Science
Numerous macrobenthic organisms from lower Chesapeake Bay have been observed to rapidly accumulate and transform a series of organic contaminants (OCs). Bioaccumulation and biotransformation vary both within and among major taxa, and with the OC physical-chemical properties. Bioaccumulation of OCs is rapid for various organisms regardless of feeding behavior indicating that uptake of contaminants from the dissolved phase may be important. Comparison of OC and metabolite body burdens to those in the corresponding sediment indicate three types of behavior for OC fluxes through the organisms over 56 days of exposure to contaminated sediments: steady state between contaminant uptake and elimination, faster uptake than elimination corresponding to bioaccumulation, and rapid loss relative to uptake, with decreasing bioaccumulation factors with time. OC loss mechanisms from operationally defined detectable pools in benthic biota may include: elimination of parent compound or metabolites, and binding of reactive metabolites to cellular structures. OC metabolite production and loss rates in benthic macrofauna from Chesapeake Bay are currently under investigation. Bioaccumulation and transformation of OCs by benthic organisms are of importance in determining their effects, including trophic transfer of organic pollutants, on aquatic ecosystems.
- OSTI ID:
- 85939
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9410273--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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