Enhanced accumulation of PCB congeners by baltic sea blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, with increased algae enrichment

Abstract

Abstract-The objective of this study was to examine if natural variations in the quantity of phytoplankton-derived particulate and dissolved organic carbon influences the accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the tissues of Baltic Sea blue mussels (Mytilus edulis L.). In a laboratory flow-through experiment we exposed M. edulis to the technical PCB mixture Aroclor 1248 for 21 d at three different enrichments of the unicellular green algae Chlamydomonas sp., 0.10, 0.16, and 0.32 mg particulate organic carbon (POC)/L. Tissue and water concentrations were determined for seven PCB congeners (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry [IUPAC] 52, 101, 105, 118, 138, 153, and 180), and 21-d bioaccumulation factors were calculated against total water concentrations. Contrary to what would be expected, an increase in algae enrichment from 0.10 to 0.32 mg POC/L resulted in an enhanced PCB accumulation by a factor of approx. 2. This increase in PCB accumulation was more pronounced for PCB congeners with lower hydrophobicity. These observations have implications for the design of laboratory accumulation studies and potentially for PCB accumulation and cycling in field populations of suspension-feeding mussels in response to changes in eutrophication status.

Lake trophic status and bioaccumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls in benthic organisms: a comparison between littoral and profundal invertebrates

“…Contrary to what could be expected, given the results from earlier experimental studies (Gilek et al 1996; Björk and Gilek 1997; Gunnarsson et al 2000), we found that PCB concentrations in profundal benthos (chironomid larvae) were negatively related to lake trophic status. In earlier experiments, marine filter-feeding mussels were exposed to additions of algae at different concentrations.…”

“…Gunnarsson et al (2000) found in laboratory experiments that POP concentrations in benthic animals could, contrary to pelagic biota, increase with increasing trophic status of water bodies. Owing to increasing settling of organic-rich particles, the benthic bioactivity increases with increasing disturbance of the sediment (bioturbidation) (Gilek et al 1996;Björk and Gilek 1997;Madsen et al 1997). Bioturbation and increasing ventilation rates of sediments could enhance bioaccumulation of POPs in benthic invertebrates (Swackhamer and Skoglund 1993;Madsen et al 1997;Gunnarsson et al 2000).…”

Tissue disposition of benzo[A]pyrene in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) and effect of algal concentration on metabolism and depuration

“…Bioaccumulation of hydrophobic organic pollutants and eutrophication are two serious threats to the marine environment. Since eutrophication leads to an increased production of organic matter and hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) have a high affinity for organic surfaces, there is a growing interest in how the two phenomena interact [1,2].…”