Accumulation and food chain transfer of fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene in Chironomus riparius and Lepomis macrochirus

Abstract

Abstract. This research investigated the accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by Chironomus riparius from sediments and transfer of these contaminants to bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus. Experiments were conducted in laboratory microcosms containing sediments spiked with either benzo[a]pyrene (BAP) or fluoranthene (FLU). Chironomids rapidly accumulated PAHs from sediments. Concentrations of BAP and FLU in chironomids increased with sediment concentration; however, FLU accumulated to a much greater extent. At sediment concentrations ranging from 47 to 4,040 txg/kg, levels of FLU in chironomids ranged from below detection to 181,000 txg/kg. In contrast, the maximum concentration of BAP measured in chironomids at similar sediment levels was 6,030 txg/kg. Levels of FLU and BAP in bluegill that were fed contaminated chironomids were generally low, indicating either low uptake or rapid metabolism of these compounds.Bioturbation of sediments by chironomids decreased water clarity and released sediment-associated BAP to overlying water. BAP in water and in C. riparius increased significantly with chironomid density. In experiments where bluegill were exposed to BAP from water, direct contact with sediments, and chironomids, each source contributed to total body burden. The

Biodegradation of High-Molecular-Weight Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Bacteria

“…Due to their lipophilic nature, PAHs have a high potential for biomagnification through trophic transfers (21,69,98). PAHs are also known to exert acutely toxic effects and/or possess mutagenic, teratogenic, or carcinogenic properties (18,48,82).…”

Influence of biotransformation on trophic transfer of the PAH, fluoranthene

“…to the polychaete N. virens can occur. From a study examining the relative importance of BaP uptake from water and trophic transfer of BaP from the chironomid, Chironomus riparius to the bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, Clements et al (1994) concluded that food was an important BaP source for L. macrochirus, though direct contact with sediment and/or uptake from water were also significant. In the same study, Clements et al (1994) also fed Flu and BaP exposed C. riparius directly to juvenile L. macrochirus, and found that for chironomids with similar PAH concentrations Flu was accumulated in the fish and could be measured 24 h after feeding, whereas BaP could not be measured in the fish after 24 h.…”

“…A large number of studies has been performed on the bioavailability and toxicity of PAHs to sediment dwelling organisms, and most of these have involved primary exposure either through deposit-feeding or through passive diffusion over the body wall (Connolly, 1991;Rand, 1995;Gunnarson et al, 1996;Selck et al, 2003b). Only a few studies have examined trophic transfer of PAHs in the marine benthic environment (McElroy and Sisson, 1989;Clements et al, 1994). Biotransformation of a PAH may change its bioavailability, and the transfer of PAHs between prey and predator may depend on the biotransformation capability of the prey species (McElroy and Sisson, 1989).…”

Bioavailability and Biotransformation of Benzo(a)pyrene in an Isolated Perfused In Situ Catfish Intestinal Preparation

“…The hydrophobicity and environmental partitioning (9) of BaP, as well as its accumulation in infaunal invertebrates (10,11), suggest that the diet may be an important route of exposure for aquatic species.…”