Characterization and application of a semi-automated separation and analysis technique for polychlorinated biphenyls in Great Lakes wildlife

Miscellaneous · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:5292712

Williams, L L

Polychlorinated hydrocarbons (PCHs) are toxic, persistent compounds in the environment. The non-ortho substituted PCB congeners comprise most of the Ah receptor-mediated PCH toxicity in aquatic systems. The proportion of the most toxic congeners to the total concentration of PCBs is suspected to vary in the environment, but these congeners are difficult to quantify. The studies described here focus on the development and use of a semi-automated separation of the non-ortho substituted congeners from interferences using porous graphitic carbon (PGC). The PGC method developed it faster and uses less solvent than previous separations based on carbon columns. This method is both precise and accurate, with no discernable interferences. Results obtained from this method can be used with TCDD equivalency factors (TEFs) to calculate TCDD-equivalents (TEQs) derived from PCBs. The PGC method was used successfully to measure PCB congeners in eggs of fish-eating birds. Variability in TEQ and PCB concentrations among eggs within a double-crested cormorant colony was investigated. No significant differences in concentrations of PCBs to TEQs were observed among eggs from nests with different reproductive outcomes; therefore, concentrations of TEQs and PCBs could not be related to reproductive success of nests within a single colony. TEQs determined in an H4IIE bioassay for EROD activity were significantly greater than TEQs calculated from concentrations of PCB congeners. In another study, concentrations of TEQs and PCBs in red-breasted merganser eggs collected 13 years apart were compared. Concentrations of TEQs and PCBs declined significantly between 1977 and 1990, but the ratio of TEQ to total PCBH did not change.

• Research Organization: Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5292712
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph.D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
EGGS
CONTAMINATION
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
BIRDS
GREAT LAKES
POLLUTANTS
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
LAKES
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
SURFACE WATERS
VERTEBRATES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology