Showing papers on "Bioaccumulation published in 1993"
Book•
25 Mar 1993
TL;DR: Rainbow and Dallinger as discussed by the authors studied the effect of trace metals in marine invertebrates and found that metal contamination affects survival, biocaccumulation, Histopathology, and PGM polymorphism in the Marine Isopod Idotea Baltica.
Abstract: MARINE ENVIRONMENTS. The Significance of Trace Metal Concentrations in Marine Invertebrates (Philip Rainbow). Cadmium Bioaccumulation in the Scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis from an Unpolluted Environment (O.N. Lukyanova, N.N. Belcheva, V.P. Chelomin). Accumulation and Subcellular Distribution of Metals in the Marine Gastropod Nassarius reticulatus L. (T. Kaland, T. Andersen, K. Hylland). Metallothionein in Marine Molluscs (E. Carpene). Metal Concentrations in Antarctic Crustacea: The problem of Background Levels (G.P. Zauke, G. Petri). Effects of Cadmium on Survival, Biocaccumulation, Histopathology, and PGM Polymorphism in the Marine Isopod Idotea Baltica (M. de Nicola, N. Cardellicchio, C. Gambardella, S.M. Guarino, C. Marra). FRESHWATER ENVIRONMENTS. Metal Uptake, Regulation, and Excretion in Freshwater Invertebrates (Philip Rainbow and R. Dallinger). Accumulation and Effects of Trace Metals in Freshwater Invertebrates (K. R. Timmermans). Investigation of Uranium-Induced Toxicity in Freshwater Hydra (R.V. Hyne, G. D. Rippon, G. Ellender). Metal Regulation in Two Species of Freshwater Bivalves (M.H.S. Kraak, M. Toussaint, E.A.J. Bleeker, D. Lavy). Autoradiographic Study of Zinc in Gammarus pulex (Amphipoda) (Q. Xu). The Use of Freshwater Invertebrates for the Assessment of Metal Pollution in Urban Receiving Waters (R.R.F. Shutes, J.B. Ellis, A.D. Bascombe).Evolution of Resistance and Changes in Community-Composition in Metal-Polluted Environments: A Case-Study on Foundry Cove (P.L. Kierks and J. S. Levinton). TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENTS. Strategies of Metal Detoxification in Terrestrial Invertebrates (R. Dallinger). Budgeting the Flow of Cadmium and Zinc through the Terrestrial Gastropod, Helix pomatia L. (B. Berger, R. Dallinger, E. Felder, J. Moser). Quantitative Aspects of Zinc and Cadmium Binding in Helix pomatia: Differences between an Essential and a Non-Essential Trace Element (R. Dallinger, B. Berger, A. Gruber). Metal Relationships of Earthworms (A. J. Morgan, J. E. Morgan, M. Turner, C. Winter, A. Yarwood). Deficiency and Excess of Copper in Terrestrial Isopods (S. P. Hopkin). Metal Contamination Affects Size-Structure and Life-History Dynamics in Isopod Field Populations (M. H. Donker, H. E. van Capelleveen, N. M. van Straalen). Metal Bioaccumulation in a Host Insect (Lymantria disper L., Lepidoptera) During Development - Ecotoxicological Implications (J. Ortel, S. Gintenreiter, H. Nopp). Soil and Sediment Quality Criteria Derived from Invertebrate Toxicity Data (N. M. van Straalen).
414 citations
TL;DR: High concentrations of the compounds investigated have been found to occur in macrophytic algae, particularly Cladophora glomerata, and similar concentrations to those in the fish were determined in different tissues of a wild duck.
374 citations
TL;DR: The most precise way to evaluate potential reproductive impacts to adult fish and aquatic bird populations is to measure selenium concentrations in gravid ovaries and eggs, which integrates waterborne and dietary exposure, and allows an evaluation based on the most sensitive biological endpoint.
Abstract: It is now possible to formulate diagnostic selenium concentrations in four distinct ecosystem-level components; water, food-chain, predatory fish (consuming fish or invertebrate prey), and aquatic birds. Waterborne selenium concentrations of 2 µg/l or greater (parts per billion; total recoverable basis in 0.45 μ filtered samples) should be considered hazardous to the health and long-term survival of fish and wildlife populations due to the high potential for food-chain bioaccumulation, dietary toxicity, and reproductive effects. In some cases, ultra-trace amounts of dissolved and particulate organic selenium may lead to bioaccumulation and toxicity even when total waterborne concentrations are less than 1 µg/l.
293 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors test the hypothesis that bioaccumulation of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) by phytoplankton is correlated to the compound's octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow) in laboratory experiments, and to confirm these findings with field observations.
Abstract: The objectives of this study were to test the hypothesis that bioaccumulation of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) by phytoplankton is correlated to the compound's octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow) in a predictive relationship in laboratory experiments, and to confirm these findings with field observations. In laboratory experiments we measured the uptake of 40 representative polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners over time under conditions that inhibited and allowed phytoplankton growth. Results indicated that the bioaccumulation process is consistent with partitioning from water into cell lipids but is slower than previously thought. The uptake of PCBs was slow relative to growth of phytoplankton, preventing the chemical from reaching thermodynamic equilibrium in algal cells under conditions promoting growth (nonwinter). Thus under non-winter field conditions, many PCB congeners never reach equilibrium concentrations. Food-chain models that assume equilibrium between HOCs and the primary trophic level could be inaccurate and may need to use a kinetic framework.
235 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that bluegills in Secontaminated habitats accumulate inorganic Se species primarily via food-chain uptake, although organoselenium compounds such as Se-methionine may contribute significantly to Se bioaccumulation bybluegills via both aqueous and food- chain uptake.
Abstract: Aquatic organisms accumulated selenium (Se) from inorganic and organic Se species via aqueous and food-chain exposure routes. We measured aqueous and food-chain Se bioaccumulation from selenate, selenite, and seleno-L-methionine in a laboratory food chain of algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii), daphnids (Daphnia magna), and fish (bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus). Selenium concentrations were monitored radiometrically with 75Se-labeled compounds. All three organisms concentrated Se more strongly from aqueous selenomethionine than from either inorganic Se species. Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) estimated from 1 μg Se/L Se-methionine exposures were approximately 16,000 for algae, 200,000 for daphnids, and 5,000 for bluegills. Algae and daphnids concentrated Se more strongly from selenite (BCFs = 220–3,600) than selenate (BCFs = 65–500) whereas bluegills concenrated Se about equally from both inorganic species (estimated BCFs = 13 to 106). Bioaccumulation of foodborne Se by daphnids and bluegills was similar in food chains dosed with different Se species. Daphnids and bluegills did not accumulate Se concentrations greater than those in their diet, except at very low dietary Se concentrations. Food-chain concentration factors (CFs) for daphnids decreased from near 1.0 to 0.5 with increases in algal Se concentrations, whereas CFs estimated from bluegill exposures averaged 0.5 over a range of foodborne Se concentrations. In exposures based on selenite, bluegills accumulated greater Se concentrations from food than from water. Aqueous and food-chain Se uptakes were approximately additive, and depuration rates were similar in aqueous, food-chain, and combined exposures. Our results suggest that bluegills in Secontaminated habitats accumulate inorganic Se species primarily via food-chain uptake, although organoselenium compounds such as Se-methionine may contribute significantly to Se bioaccumulation by bluegills via both aqueous and food-chain uptake.
195 citations
TL;DR: Test methods utilizing the aquatic oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus to assess the acute and chronic toxicity and the presence of bioaccumulatable compounds in contaminated sediments are described.
Abstract: In this paper the authors describe test methods utilizing the aquatic oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus to assess the acute and chronic toxicity and the presence of bioaccumulatable compounds in contaminated sediments. Lumbriculus variegatus was chosen as a test species because (a) it represents an ecologically relevant component of freshwater ecosystems; (b) it is suitable for long-term testing and evaluation of chronic toxicity end points (e.g., growth, reproduction); (c) it is exposed via all important routes of concern, including ingesting of contaminated particles; and (d) it has sufficient biomass to assess bioaccumulation of contaminants. Also, Lumbriculus variegatus is easily cultured and handled. Described herein are culturing procedures and test protocols for Lumbriculus variegatus, as well as two examples of the types of experimental data generated when using the oligochaete in test with contaminated sediments. Two case studies are presented in which L. variegatus was used to assess the bioaccumulation of metals (cadmium, nickel) from contaminated sediments and assess the toxicity of sediment samples collected from the copper-contaminated Keweenaw Waterway system in Michigan.
166 citations
TL;DR: Harvestable-size largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides were collected from 53 Florida lakes to determine relationships between mercury concentration in fish and physical and chemical lake characteristics, finding no difference in the rate of mercury accumulation by age between the sexes.
Abstract: Harvestable-size largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides were collected from 53 Florida lakes to determine relationships between mercury concentration in fish and physical and chemical lake characteristics. Diverse lakes with a broad range of sizes (15–181,000 hectares), pH (3.6–9.1), and alkalinities (1.2–128 mg/L as CaCO3) were sampled. Total mercury concentrations in axial muscle of individual fish ranged from 0.04 to 2.04 μg/g wet weight and were positively correlated with fish age (strongest correlation) and size. There was no difference in the rate of mercury accumulation by age between the sexes, even though females grew faster. Chemical characteristics oflakes strongly influenced the bioaccumulation ofmercury in largemouth bass. Mercury concentrations, standardized to age-3 fish for comparison among lakes, ranged from 0.04 to 1.53 μg/g and were negatively correlated with alkalinity, calcium, chlorophyll a, conductance, magnesium, pH, total hardness, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. No ...
160 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to detect spatial and temporal trends in the livers of Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) livers.
159 citations
TL;DR: Short term exposures to copper result in elevated copper concentrations in H. azteca, even at concentrations below those causing chronic toxicity, and short term bioaccumulation studies might, therefore, provide a useful indication of potential chronic copper toxicity.
Abstract: Zinc, lead and mercury accumulation in the amphipod Hyalella azteca increases with increasing exposure to metals. During 10 week chronic toxicity tests, metal accumulated at the highest non-toxic/lowest toxic concentration was 126/136 µg Zn g−1, 7.1/16 µg Pb g−1 and 56/90 µg Hg g−1 dry weight. Concentrations of lead and mercyry in control animals were substantially lower (1.3 µg Pb g−1 and 0.4 µg Hg g−1), but concentrations of zinc in controls (74 µg g−1) were about one half those of the lowest toxic concentration. Copper was completely regulated. Accumulated copper concentrations after 10 weeks exposure to all waterborne copper concentrations resulting in less than 100% mortality were not significantly different from controls (79 µg g−1). Lead and mercury concentrations in wild H. azteca should be useful indicators of potential toxicity. Zinc accumulation may also be a useful indicator of zinc toxicity, but careful comparison with control or reference animals is necessary because of the small differences between toxic and control concentrations. Copper is not accumulated by H. azteca under chronic exposure conditions and body burdens of field animals cannot be used as an indicator of exposure or potential toxic effects. Short term exposures to copper, however, result in elevated copper concentrations in H. azteca, even at concentrations below those causing chronic toxicity. Short term bioaccumulation studies might, therefore, provide a useful indication of potential chronic copper toxicity.
132 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a one-year biomonitoring study was conducted to determine the extent of metal contamination (Cd, Cu, and Zn) in a benthic community from the Arkansas River (CO), a subalpine stream impacted by discharges from historic mining operations.
Abstract: A one-year biomonitoring study was conducted to determine the extent of metal contamination (Cd, Cu, and Zn) in a benthic community from the Arkansas River (CO), a subalpine stream impacted by discharges from historic mining operations. Elevated concentrations of metals in water were paralleled by higher concentrations in benthic organisms. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in metal concentrations in aufwuchs and benthic macroinvertebrates among upstream (reference) and downstream stations were observed. Metal concentration in aufwuchs and benthic invertebrates remained elevated at some downstream stations, despite decreases in water concentrations. Time of year and functional group contributed to the variation in metal bioaccumulation in benthic macroinvertebrates. Monitoring metal concentrations in aquatic macroinvertebrates was a better indicator of metal bioavailability in the Arkansas River than ambient (water) metal concentrations.
130 citations
TL;DR: The lethal body burden (LBB), the whole-body concentration in millimoles per kilogram at time of death or immobilization, and the LC50 of dihalogenated (F, Cl, Br) benzenes were measured as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The lethal body burden (LBB), the whole-body concentration in millimoles per kilogram at time of death or immobilization, and the LC50 of dihalogenated (F, Cl, Br) benzenes were measured Except for 1,4-difluorobenzene in guppy (28 mmol kg−1), LBBs varied between 2 and 8 mmol kg−1 The LBBs of the chemicals in guppies were not significantly different from those in fathead minnows LC50 values varied between 054 and 41 μmol L−1 and were inversely related to the octanol/water partition coefficient, Kow To estimate the risk of a compound to fish, the LBB requires the exposure concentration in combination with a first-order one-compartment bioaccumulation model Therefore, the time of death or the time of immobility, and bioconcentration parameters such as the uptake rate constant (k1) and the elimination rate constant (k2), were determined For both species, k1 values of the chlorinated benzenes were smaller than those of the brominated compounds and k2 values decreased with increasing hydrophobicity The lipid-normalized bioaccumulation factors (KL's) were linearly related to Kow
09 Jan 1993
TL;DR: Feathers of selected bird species used as pollution integrating biomonitors in areas of the German Environmental Specimen Bank are suitable indicators for monitoring heavy metal pollution and give information about incorporation paths and ecotoxic effects.
TL;DR: The toxicity and bioaccumulation of arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, zinc, DDT, PCB and the water-soluble fraction of diesel fuel to the gammaridean amphipods Corophium insidiosum and Elasmopus bampo were measured as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The toxicity and bioaccumulation of arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, zinc, DDT, PCB and the water-soluble fraction of diesel fuel to the gammaridean amphipods Corophium insidiosum and Elasmopus bampo were measured At 96 h exposure C insidiosum was more sensitive to arsenic, zinc, DDT, PCB and the water-soluble fraction of diesel fuel than E bampo, whereas E bampo was more sensitive to cadmium, chromium and copper than C insidiosum Over a 20-day period C insidiosum accumulated greater amounts of chromium, copper, lead and zinc than E bampo, whereas E bampo accumulated more cadmium, DDT and PCB than C insidiosum The toxicity and bioaccumulation of toxicants to other species of marine gammaridean amphipods are tabulated
TL;DR: Mussel soft tissues from only two waters showed detectable levels of p,p′-DDE and polychlorinated biphenyls were markedly higher in soft tissues of zebra mussels from the Hudson River than the other waters.
TL;DR: Sulphate concentration, pH and to a lesser extent nitrite, ammonia and FRP (filtrable reactive phosphate) appear to be the most important physical and chemical variables governing metal bioavailability.
Abstract: We studied the capacity of five species of aquatic bryophyte to accumulate metals, and the relationship between plant metal content and water composition, on the basis of 170 samples taken from 32 rivers in Galicia (NW Spain). In all cases, only the final two centimetres of the apex were analysed. Scapania undulata was the species with the highest accumulatory capacity, and Fissidens polyphyllus was that with the lowest. Fontinalis antipyretica, Rhynchostegium riparioides and Brachythecium rivulare displayed intermediate capacities for metal accumulation, but showed a broader range of variation in body concentration in comparison with similar contamination levels. This resolution capacity, together with a greater resistance to pollution and, in the study region, a wider distribution and higher abundance, suggests that the latter two species are the most useful for bioindication studies. Bioaccumulation factors were high for all metals studied, tending to increase with increasing body concentration but decreasing with increasing water concentration. The relationship between metal in plant and filtrable metal in water was low, but statistically significant for all the metals studied except Co in F. antipyretica and Cd, Pb and Co in S. undulata, F. polyphllyllus and B. rivulare. The influence of physical and chemical variables of the water on bioaccumulation was evaluated using step-wise multiple correlation analysis. Bioaccumulation is largely governed by physical and chemical factors, by the concentration of metal in the water and by the bioaccumulation factor of the bryophyte species. Sulphate concentration, pH and to a lesser extent nitrite, ammonia and FRP (filtrable reactive phosphate) appear to be the most important physical and chemical variables governing metal bioavailability.
TL;DR: Highly significant linear relationships were observed at the end of both the accumulation and depuration phases between the average aqueous Cu and Cd concentrations and the metal levels in the two organisms, and between the metal concentrations in the mussels and those in the mosses.
TL;DR: The survey showed that mercury concentrations in fish are elevated in areas receiving high atmospheric depositions of mercury, and indicated that there exists a concentration-dependent production and release of methyl mercury to the biota.
Abstract: We studied relationships between environmental factors and mercury accumulation in resident brown trout (Salmo trutta) in 25 lakes in Norway. Our survey showed that mercury concentrations in fish are elevated in areas receiving high atmospheric depositions of mercury. A path analysis revealed that the concentrations of total organic carbon had a critical influence on the bioaccumulation of mercury. This reflects the role of humic matter in the transportation of mercury to lake water and sediments, and perhaps also a stimulating effect on the microbial methylation of mercury. Lake depth influenced the concentration of mercury in sediments, probably due to the complexation of mercury with sedimenting humic matter. The effect of such sediment on mercury concentrations in fish indicated that there exists a concentration-dependent production and release of methyl mercury to the biota. Selenium deposited from the atmosphere seemed to lower the bioavailability of mercury to fish. No effect of pH could be detecte...
TL;DR: In this paper, the ability of higher fungi to bioaccumulate certain elements such as cadmium, mercury, selenium, lead, vanadium, copper and arsenic is discussed.
TL;DR: In this article, toxic effects and bioaccumulation factors of organometallic compounds, mainly organotin species, on algae were reported and two species of microalgae were used as test algae: Scenedesmus obliquus as a representative of fresh-water algae, and Dunaliella salina and D viridis as commonly mixed algae which exist abundantly in Tianjin Harbor, China.
Abstract: This paper reports toxic effects and bioaccumulation factors of organometallic compounds, mainly organotin species, on algae We selected two species of microalgae as test algae: one was Scenedesmus obliquus as a representative of fresh-water algae, the other Dunaliella salina and Dunaliella viridis, to represent commonly mixed algae which exist abundantly in Tianjin Harbor, People's Republic of China For comparison, Chlorella vulgaris was also used in this study The toxic effect of ten organometallic compounds on the freshwater alga, S obliquus, was investigated The ten compounds were (as chlorides) tributyltin (TBT); triphenyltin (TPT); trimethyltin (TMT); dibutyltin (DBT); diphenyltin (DPT); dimethyltin (DMT); trimethyl-lead acetate (TML); dimethyl-arsine (DMA) and two new mixed-alkyltin pesticides, dicyclohexylmethylitin acetate (Cy2MTA) and dicyclohexylmethyltin isobutyrate (Cy2MTB) The order of toxicity of these compounds in fresh-water algae, S obliquus, was TBT>TPT>DBT> Cy2MTA=TML> Cy2MTB>DPT>TMT>DMA>DMT, according to 96 h EC50 values attained The ten toxicants were divided into three groups according to the sequence of their toxicities; (a) TBT, TPT; (b) DBT, Cy2MTA, TML, Cy2MTB; (c) DPT, TMT, DMA, DMT In each group the EC50 values of each compound were quite similar The difference of EC50 values between two vicinal groups was approximately one order of magnitude The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of TBT and TPT compared with water in the freshwater alga S obliquus was >332 × 105 and 114 × 105, respectively The BCF of the marine mixed algae was >348 × 105 The marine microalga, Chlorella vulgaris, was adaptable to TBT at lower concentration TBT at high concentration only inhibited the growth of S obliquus, but it could cause chlorosis anddisintegration of D salina and D viridis Resistance to toxicity of algae against TBT appears in order as follows: C vulgaris>S obliquus>D salina and D viridis TBT was metabolized by algae to a less toxic product, DBT The existence of algal cells accelerated the concentration reduction of TBT The toxic mechanism of TBT was also studied
TL;DR: A one-to-one molar association of Hg and Se was found which is believed to provide protection against Hg toxicity and indicates early differential accumulation and supporting maternal transfer in pilot whales.
Abstract: Concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Se were measured in 17 adult and 8 fetal pilot whales (Globicephala melaena). Total Hg and Se both occurred in very high concentrations in liver and kidney and in liver were significantly correlated with animal length (and each other) which indicates bioaccumulation over time. Methyl mercury, as a percentage of total Hg, varied inversely with total Hg indicating demethylation was occurring; a one-to-one molar association of Hg and Se was found which is believed to provide protection against Hg toxicity. Arsenic concentrations were relatively low, but Cd concentrations were consistently very high in adult kidney. Lead in adult liver was also correlated with animal length indicating long term bioaccumulation. All non-essential elements were found in critical fetal tissues which indicates maternal transfer occurred. Cadmium in fetal kidney was over 30 times higher than either brain or liver, indicating early differential accumulation and supporting maternal transfer....
TL;DR: Liver appeared to be the main organ accumulating cadmium and zinc, while both liver and muscle showed a similar ability for accumulating mercury in fish species from Samborombón Bay.
Abstract: A survey of the concentrations of heavy metals — cadmium, zinc and total mercury — in the tissues of fifteen fish species from Samborombon Bay, La Plata river estuary, in Argentina, has been carried out. Liver appeared to be the main organ accumulating cadmium and zinc, while both liver and muscle showed a similar ability for accumulating mercury. The bioaccumulation process was verified for the three metals analyzed, even though low concentrations have been determined. The biomagnification process of the metals studied was not verified in this environment. The highest metal concentrations were recorded in Mugil liza, and particulate matter and sediments — which are closely related to its trophic and ecological habits — seemed to be the main source of metals for this species. Both Micropogonias furnieri and Mugil liza were recognized as possible indicator species for future monitoring programmes for heavy metals in Samborombon Bay. Considering the present results, this area of La Plata river estuary is characterized as a non-polluted environment.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, the six metals detailed in this chapter were chosen because of their toxicity, frequency of occurrence at hazardous waste sites, and involvement in environmental contamination, including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, and selenium.
Abstract: Because toxicity varies enormously with the chemical state of metals, transformations in the environment control the level of the human health hazard. Important transformation processes include adsorption and desorption from soils and sediments, oxidation and reduction (redox) reactions, biotic metabolism, formation of organic metal compounds, and bioaccumulation. The six metals detailed in this chapter--arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, and selenium--were chosen because of their toxicity, frequency of occurrence at hazardous waste sites, and involvement in environmental contamination.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the bioaccumulation and biomethylation of inorganic arsenic in a three-step fresh water food chain consisting of an autotroph (blue green alga: Nostoc sp), a herbivore (shrimp: Neocaridina denticulata) and a carnivore (carp: Cyprinus carpio).
Abstract: Bioaccumulation and biomethylation of inorganic arsenic were investigated in a three-step fresh-water food chain consisting of an autotroph (blue- green alga: Nostoc sp.), a herbivore (shrimp: Neocaridina denticulata) and a carnivore (carp: Cyprinus carpio). The autotroph, herbivore and carnivore survived in arsenic-containing water below 1000, 2 and 60 mg As(V) dm−3, respectively. Bioaccumulation of arsenate by Nostoc sp. was decreased with an increase in the nitrogen concentration of the medium. Arsenic(V) was accumulated from the water phase and part-methylated by the carp, as well as by the algae and shrimp. Arsenic was mostly accumulated in the gut of the carp. The predominant arsenical in the guts was the monomethylarsenic species.
Arsenic accumulation via food in the above three-step food chain decreased by one order of magnitude and the relative concentration of methylated arsenic to the total arsenic accumulated increased successively with an elevation in the trophic level. When arsenicals were transferred via the food chain, no monomethylarsenic, or only a trace amount, was detected in the three organisms. Dimethylarsenic in the alga, both dimethyl- and trimethyl-arsenic in shrimp, and trimethyl-arsenic in carp, were the predominant methylated arsenic species, respectively.
TL;DR: A comparison of kidney mercury residues measured in this study with values from controlled laboratory feeding studies from the literature indicate that B. brevicauda but not P. leucopus may be ingesting mercury at levels that are nephrotoxic, and mercury concentrations in biota did not exceed concentrations in the contaminated surface soil.
Abstract: Mercury concentrations were determined in surface soil and biota at a contaminated terrestrial field site and were used to calculate transfer coefficients of mercury through various compartments of the ecosystem based on trophic relationships. Mercury concentrations in all compartments (soil, vegetation, invertebrates, and small mammals) were higher than mercury concentrations in corresponding samples at local reference sites. Nonetheless, mercury concentrations in biota did not exceed concentrations in the contaminated surface soil, which averaged 269 μg g-1. Plant tissue concentrations of mercury were low (0.01 to 2.0 μg g-1) and yielded soil to plant transfer coefficients ranging from 3.7×10-5 for seeds to 7.0×10-3 for grass blades. Mercury concentrations in invertebrates ranged from 0.79 for harvestmen (Phalangida) to 15.5 μg g-1 for undepurated earthworms (Oligochaeta). Mean food chain transfer coefficients for invertebrates were 0.88 for herbivores/omnivores and 2.35 for carnivores. Mean mercury concentrations in target tissue (kidney) were 1.16±1.16 μg g-1 for the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), a granivore, and 38.8±24.6 μg g-1 for the shorttail shrew (Blarina brevicauda), an insectivore. Transfer coefficients for diet to kidney were 0.75 and 4.40 for P. leucopus and B. brevicauda, respectively. A comparison of kidney mercury residues measured in this study with values from controlled laboratory feeding studies from the literature indicate that B. brevicauda but not P. leucopus may be ingesting mercury at levels that are nephrotoxic.
TL;DR: Although the effect of varying sulfate concentration on Se bioconcentration by two aquatic invertebrates was evaluated, there is no indication that sulfate may completely eliminate selenate absorption, and further research should be performed before sulfate concentrations becomes a factor in the determination of water quality standards for selenium.
Abstract: Agricultural drainage containing high concentrations of selenium (Se) poses a continuing threat to wildlife in California's San Joaquin Valley. Drainage water from this area frequently contains high concentrations of sulfate, which are known to have mediating effects on the bioaccumulation and toxicity of Se in some organisms. It has been proposed that sulfate concentration should be a consideration in determining water quality criteria for Se. As a step toward analyzing the viability of such a plan, this study evaluated the effect of varying sulfate concentration on Se bioconcentration by two aquatic invertebrates. Fourth instar Chironomus decorus and neonate Daphnia magna were exposed, for a 48 h period, to 5.92 and 0.71 mg Se/L, as selenate, respectively. The selenium:sulfur (Se:S) ratio in the dilution waters ranged from 1:0 to 1:480 for C. decorus and 1:3 to 1:240 for D. magna. Increasing sulfate concentrations significantly reduced the accumulation of Se by both organisms. However, D. magna and C. decorus bioconcentrate Se differently at low sulfate concentrations. This difference can be explained by a two permease model for selenate/sulfate absorption. Although this experiment showed that sulfate may reduce selenate bioavailability to aquatic invertebrates, there is no indication that sulfate may completely eliminate selenate absorption. Thus, further research should be performed before sulfate concentration becomes a factor in the determination of water quality standards for selenium.
TL;DR: The results suggest that EPA's currently recommended BCF value of 5000 is probably too low and a value between 15,000 and 25,000 is considered a reasonable estimate of the BAF to use for regulatory purposes in the state of Maine.
TL;DR: The lipid-normalized bioconcentration curves for both shellfish species declined to similar steady-state values, which suggested that simple equilibrium partitioning between organism lipid and sediment organic carbon phases regulates long-term bioconconcentration.
Abstract: Bioaccumulation and elimination of nine principal components of technical chlordane applied to a previously uncontaminated intertidal sand flat were observed in adults of the bivalve species Chione stutchburyi and Tellina liliana, the gastropod Amphibola crenata, and polychaetes (Glycera americana, Nicon aestuarinensis, and Platynereis australis). The patterns of accumulation differed markedly between species, depending on whether the organisms acquired chlordane predominantly from the sediment phase or from both sediment and water phases. The surface-dwelling (Amphibola crenata) or surface-feeding (Tellina liliana) species attained chlordane levels up to three times that of the suspension feeder, Chione stutchburyi, a short time after application. The lipid-normalized bioconcentration curves for both shellfish species declined to similar steady-state values, which suggested that simple equilibrium partitioning between organism lipid and sediment organic carbon phases regulates long-term bioconcentration. The composition of the adsorbed chlordane, although very similar to that of the technical product applied to the sand flat, also showed some species dependence with a preference for the more chlorinated components of chlordane to accumulate in the sediment-feeding species. No traces of the metabolites oxychlordane and heptachlor epoxide were found in any of the species tested over the 100-d duration of the study.