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Accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyl congeners from lake champlain sediments by Mysis relicta
Author(s) -
Lester Deborah C.,
McIntosh Alan
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.5620131115
Subject(s) - polychlorinated biphenyl , trout , benthic zone , pelagic zone , bioaccumulation , food web , salvelinus , mysidacea , food chain , environmental chemistry , sediment , ecotoxicology , ecology , bioconcentration , environmental science , trophic level , biology , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , crustacean , chemistry , paleontology
Abstract Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels in lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ) from Lake Champlain often exceed the F.D.A. “tolerance level” of 2 μg/g (wet weight). Of added concern are recent studies that suggest a relationship between the dioxin‐like properties of non‐ortho‐substituted PCB congeners and impaired lake trout egg hatchability. Dietary accumulation of PCBs is thought to be an important exposure route for fish. The epibenthic freshwater shrimp Mysis relicta is an integral part of the benthic and pelagic food web in Lake Champlain and may act as a link between PCBs in sediments and lake trout. Previous investigations have shown that diurnal migrations of mysids enhance the movement and distribution of toxic contaminants, effectively coupling the benthic and pelagic zones. The objective of this research was to examine the role contaminated sediments play in the transfer of PCBs to mysids. Bioaccumulation was assessed by exposing mysids to such sediments in two ways: (a) with organisms screened from sediments; and (b) with organisms in direct contact with sediments. Accumulation of PCBs over the course of the 24‐day exposure period was examined on the following days: 0, 3, 6, 12, 21, and 24. Eighty‐nine individual PCB congeners were measured in tissue and sediment. Mysids in direct contact with sediments accumulated significantly higher levels of PCBs than did organisms screened from sediments. Mysids accumulated substantial levels of PCBs, suggesting they may play an important part in the transfer of PCBs from sediments into the Lake Champlain food web. It is clear from this research that sediments can play a critical role in the accumulation of PCBs by mysids.