Bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a Dutch riverine floodplain: Comparison of laboratory and field studies
- Inst. for Forestry and Nature Research, Wageningen (Netherlands). Dept. of Ecotoxicology
Riverine floodplains are areas influenced by inundation dynamics. Due to the periodic deposition of contaminated sediment, these areas are polluted with metals and organic pollutant chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The in-situ bioaccumulation potential of PAHs was investigated using earthworms as bioavailability indicators. The results were compared with those of laboratory experiments. PAH compounds occurred in soil in the field predominantly in association with organic matter rather than with any particular grain size fraction. Lipid-normalized concentrations of individual PAHs in the earthworm tissues showed an isometric relationship with the organic-matter normalized concentration in soil, with hence the biota-soil accumulation factor (BSAF) being independent of log Kow. The field-generated BSAF corresponded closely with the laboratory-determined value for earthworms exposed to spiked soil. The value was lower than expected from equilibrium partitioning theory, possibly due to biotransformation of accumulated PAHs as confirmed by laboratory studies in a free water environment. Field values of the bioconcentration factor (BCF), calculated for each individual PAH in the soil pore water phase, were in the same order of magnitude as the results of laboratory kinetic experiments in water. The combined data support the possibility of extrapolation of laboratory-derived data to PAH bioaccumulation in field risk assessments.
- OSTI ID:
- 455301
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-961149-; TRN: IM9716%%150
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 17. annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: partnerships for the environment - science, education, and policy, Washington, DC (United States), 17-21 Nov 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of SETAC 17. annual meeting -- Abstract book. Partnerships for the environment: Science, education, and policy; PB: 378 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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