Comparing Polychlorinated Biphenyl Concentrations and Patterns in the Saginaw River Using Sediment, Caged Fish, and Semipermeable Membrane Devices

• Published in: Environmental science & technology Vol. 34; no. 19; pp. 4095 - 4102
• Main Authors: Echols, Kathy R, Gale, Robert W, Schwartz, Ted R, Huckins, James N, Williams, Lisa L, Meadows, John C, Morse, Douglas, Petty, Jimmie D, Orazio, Carl E, Tillitt, Donald E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 01.10.2000
• Subjects: Agnatha. Pisces; Analysis methods; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on vertebrates; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental monitoring; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Marine biology; Membranes; Metabolism; Natural water pollution; PCB; Pisces; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Sampling; Sediments; Statistical methods; Trace analysis; USA, Michigan, Saginaw R; Water analysis; Water pollution; Water treatment and pollution; United States; North America; Saginaw River; America; Michigan; Chemical analysis; Statistical analysis; Semipermeable membrane; Biological indicator; Sediments; Spatial variation; Polychlorobiphenyl; Passive detection; Vertebrata; Brachydanio rerio; Analysis method; Organochlorine compounds; Pisces; Chlorine Organic compounds; Content; Surface water; Aromatic compound; Stream; Water pollution; Comparative study; Principal component analysis
• ISSN: 0013-936X; 1520-5851
• DOI: 10.1021/es001169f

Three techniques of assessing bioavailable polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Saginaw River, MI, were compared:  sediments, caged fish, and semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs). SPMDs and caged fish were placed in the river for 28 days at five sites where sediments were also sampled. The samples were analyzed for PCB congeners to determine concentrations and patterns. Total PCB concentrations ranged from 33 to 280 ng/g (dry weight) in sediments, 46 to 290 ng/g (wet weight) in caged fish, and 77 to 790 ng/g in SPMDs. Previously reported rates of PCB accumulation by SPMDs were used to estimate aqueous concentrations from the PCB concentrations detected in the SPMDs. Sediment-water partition coefficients were used to estimate aqueous PCB concentra tions from sediment. Steady-state bioconcentration factors and depuration rate constants were used to estimate dissolved PCB concentrations from caged channel catfish. Relative PCB patterns from the SPMDs, caged fish, and sediment were compared using principal components analysis. SPMD and sediment samples provide complementary information. Sediments reflect long-term accumula tion and weathering, while SPMDs integrate water concentrations only during the sampling period. Because of higher water solubilities of lower-chlorinated PCBs these predominate in the SPMDs as compared to in the fish and sediments. Contaminant profile differences between caged fish and SPMDs are likely due to metabolism and depuration of certain PCB congeners by fish.