TP6 Effects of PAHs: Predicting Field Effects from Lab Studies
Room 18A/B, Level 4
2:10 PM - 5:30 PM, Tuesday, 11 November 2003
Chair: Hellou, Jocelyne ,
(292) Bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in clam tissue as a function of hydrocarbon source.
Maxon, C.1, Newton III, F.1, 1 Battelle Memorial Institute, Carlsbad, California, U.S.A.
ABSTRACT- The bioavailability and associated toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to marine organisms is well established in the scientific literature, yet few studies address organism response to specific sources of PAH. Although PAHs are generally associated with petroleum-related contamination, sources to marine sediments vary widely and can include petrogenic (e.g., lubricating oils, marine diesel fuel and crude oil from spills) as well as pyrogenic sources (e.g., coal carbonization products such as coal tar, fossil fuel combustion). This study examines differences in biota/sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) for selected individual and total PAHs based on data from 28-day clam exposures to sediments contaminated with five unique PAH sources: creosote; urban runoff (mixture of lube oil & combustion particulates); spent clay pigeon targets; weathered diesel marine fuel; and weathered crude oil. PAH sources were identified using existing site information, and forensic methods which relied on quantification of 41 individual PAHs. Results clearly indicated that bioaccumulation in clam tissue of selected individual and total PAHs was analyte and matrix specific. Total PAH BSAFs ranged from <0.01 to >10 for exposures to clay pigeon target and weathered diesel fuel, respectively, even when PAH sediment concentrations were similar. BSAFs for the other PAH sources indicated an order of increasing total PAH bioavailability for urban runoff, creosote, and crude oil, respectively.
Key words: biota/sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs), PAHs, hydrocarbon source identification, Macoma nasuta