Further evidence for limited bioavailability of sediment PAH from an aluminum smelter
- EVS Environment Consultants, Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)
- Paine, Ledge and Associates, Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)
- Alcan Smelters and Chemicals Ltd., Kitimat, British Columbia (Canada)
Spatial trends in benthic community structure and various parameters measured in resident Dungeness crabs (i.e., parent PAH in hepatopancreas, PAH metabolites in haemolymph, abnormalities, size, condition, female reproductive potential) were determined as part of a Sediment Quality Triad study into potential effects of PAH contamination in marine sediments of Kitimat Arm, BC. Despite high concentrations of PAH near the smelter (historically close to percent levels), previous evidence from a battery of toxicity tests and analyses of fish, shellfish and crab tissue had suggested limited PAH bioavailability. In this study, there were differences between the benthas near the smelter and in a reference area. However, the pattern observed, of reduced abundance and increased richness (i.e., diversity) near the smelter is the reverse of what is generally considered to be a negative effect (i.e., increased abundance, decreased richness). Resident Dungeness crabs showed no evidence of contaminant effects and only limited evidence of PAH bioavailability. Crab hepatopancreas contained low concentrations of PAH, primarily in crab collected near the smelter but also, unexpectedly, in crab from the reference area. PAH metabolites in crab haemolymph were elevated close to the smelter but nowhere else. These results extend and strengthen conclusions from past studies, specifically that sediment PAH in this area has very limited bioavailability. More, importantly, the results indicate little evidence of adverse biological effects.
- OSTI ID:
- 398227
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9511137-; ISBN 1-880611-03-1; TRN: IM9649%%435
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) world conference, Vancouver (Canada), 5-9 Nov 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Second SETAC world congress (16. annual meeting): Abstract book. Global environmental protection: Science, politics, and common sense; PB: 378 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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