Differences in Prey Capture Behavior in Populations of Blue Crab (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Callinectes sapidus</Emphasis> Rathbun) from Contaminated and Clean Estuaries in New Jersey

Populations living in contaminated environments may exhibit behavioral changes that can alter predator–prey interactions. Blue crabs from the contaminated Hackensack Meadowlands (HM) had reduced ability to capture juvenile blue crabs and adult mummichogs (both active prey) compared with crabs from a reference site (Tuckerton (TK)). However, they consumed equivalent amounts of ribbed mussels and fiddler crabs, which are less active prey. Crabs may have reduced coordination rather than appetite or motivation. The lab data are supported by stomach analysis of field-caught crabs. HM crab stomachs contained ∼60% algae, plant material, detritus, and sediment and much lower weights of crab, fish, and other live food than TK crabs. However, the relative absence of bivalves in their diet may reflect reduced amounts available. When TK crabs were caged in HM or fed food from HM in the lab for 8 weeks, their prey capture ability declined significantly, and mercury in their muscle tissue increased significantly, indicating that environmental factors were responsible for the behavioral differences. When HM crabs were caged in TK or fed fish from TK in the lab for 8 weeks, their prey capture ability improved significantly. Mercury levels were variable and did not show a significant decrease.     

Seasonal and interannual patterns of distribution and diet of bluefish within a Middle Atlantic bight estuary in relation to abiotic and biotic factors

Seasonal and interannual patterns in the spatial distribution of bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) within a Middle Atlantic Bight estuary were examined using multipanel gillnets fished biweekly at 14 fixeds stations in the Sandy Hook Bay-N avesink River estuary during May–November of 1998 and 1999. To characterize habitats along the estuarine gradient, we measured several abiotic and biotic variables concurrently with gillnet sampling. Juvenile (age-0 and age-1+) bluefish were captured regularly during both years along with large numbers of Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), which were confirmed by diet analyses to be bluefish’s primary forage species. The date of initial appearance of age-0 bluefish and menhaden in the estuary varied between years and may have been related to interannual differences in seawater temperatures on the continental shelf during spring. Delayed estuarine arrival of prey fishes may have contributed to variability in bluefish diets between years. Within the estuary, bluefish spatial distribution were consistent across seasons and years: bluefish were most common in areas associated with high concentrations of suspended materials and the presence of menhaden. Community analyses also indicated habitat overlap between bluefish and menhaden. Spatial distribution patterns revealed the consistent occurrence of piscivorous bluefish in shallow estuarine habitats that retained suspended materials and aggregated prey fishes. Foraging success of bluefish and other estuarine piscivores may be closely linked with the availability of these productive habitat, highlighting the need for future study of biological interactions and the governing physical processes.     

Polychlorinated biphenyl contamination in selected estuarine and coastal marine finfish and shellfish of New Jersey

Analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in selected finfish and shellfish from the estuarine and coastal marine waters of New Jersey reveals variable levels of contamination in different regions of the state. Monitoring surveys conducted by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection during the last two decades indicate that biota from the northeast region are the most severely contaminated with PCBs. Early monitoring in the 1970s showed that as much as 75% of the finfish and 50% of the shellfish analyzed for Aroclor 1254—the most persistent and toxic mixture of PCBs—contained detectable levels of PCB in their edible flesh. The American eel (Anguilla rostrata), bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), striped bass (Morone saxatilis), white catfish (Ictalurus catus), white perch (M. americana), and blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) exhibited high PCB levels in 1981–1982, generally approaching or exceeding the United States Food and Drug Administration action level of 2 ppm fresh weight for these organisms. PCB contamination in finfish and shellfish collected during survey periods of 1986–1987 and 1988–1991 was consistent with the previous years' data showing the northeast region of the state to be the most severely contaminated. Despite decreases in contaminant levels in some species (e.g., striped bass) and regions, results of the most recent survey confirm widespread occurrences of PCBs above background levels in the edible portions of various species from many areas of New Jersey.     

Baseline and distribution of organic pollutants and heavy metals in tidal creek sediments after Hurricane Sandy in the Meadowlands of New Jersey

The relatively low cost of lands along with a privileged location near an urban center attracted industry to the Meadowlands of New Jersey and the absence of regulations resulted in vast amounts of industrial waste emitted into the air and dumped to nearby estuaries and marshlands. Hurricane Sandy created an unprecedented sea surge that overtopped berms and tide gates and extensively flooded approximately 22.8 km² of a low lying basin that includes Berry’s Creek, a tributary to the Hackensack River and well known for its legacy of high levels of contamination. The sea surge connected Berry’s Creek with eastern creeks that flow into the Hackensack River for several tidal cycles. The objectives of this study were to establish a baseline for organic pollutants and heavy metals post Superstorm Sandy, determine whether contaminants from highly contaminated areas moved to the eastern creeks during the surge and measure contaminant gradients around tide gates. Cadmium, mercury and chromium were the most abundant contaminants in sediments, and pollutants responsible for the highest ecological risk were Hg and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Concentrations of PCBs were higher in the western creeks and contrary to metals did not show concentration gradients from either side of tide gates. Massive export of contaminants from western to eastern creeks due to the surge was not apparent. The abundance of heavy metals in the vicinity of tide gates shows that they play a role in their distribution across the estuary.     

Identifying semi-volatile contaminants in fish from Niyang River, Tibetan Plateau

This study investigated the contamination levels and profiles of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in fish from the Niyang River, Tibetan Plateau. The total concentrations of ∑PCB, ∑PBDE and ∑OCP were in the range of 0.246–1.056 ng/g (mean 0.540 ± 0.289 ng/g), 0.280–2.220 ng/g (mean 0.914 ± 0.643 ng/g) and 7.24–13.80 ng/g (mean 10.70 ± 2.31 ng/g), respectively. The total mercury concentration (HgT) in fish ranged from 85 to 217 ng/g dw with an average of 129 ng/g dw, and the concentrations of methyl mercury (MeHg) ranged from 61 to 160 ng/g dw with an average of 102 ng/g dw. The proportion of MeHg contributed to 66–91 % (average 80 %) of HgT for all samples, indicating that organic mercury was the predominant form of mercury in fish muscle. The results revealed that the fish from the Niyang River were contaminated with various persistent toxic pollutants and the potential influencing factors on the bioaccumulation concentration in fish were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation analysis.     

植物修复技术在污染治理中的应用现状

植物修复技术是利用活的植物对污染土、污染地下水等介质进行修复。植物对金属元素的净化机理是植物积累、根系过滤、植物根系对土的稳定作用;植物对有机物的净化机理是植物降解、生物刺激和植物的蒸发作用;此外植物的水力控制也是控制污染的主要途径。目前国外在利用植物修复卤代烃、农药、汽油、柴油、重金属、放射性物质、废旧炸药、处理污染填土淋滤液、利用植物分解处理空气中的污染物质或将氧化氮转化为氮气等多方面的研究已取得很多重要成果,而其中最为显著的是利用杂交植物对卤代烃污染地下水进行修复和研究利用转基因植物吸收土壤中的甲基汞。我国在植物修复技术方面的研究也取得重大成果,如利用凤眼莲修复污水中的某些农药、利用蜈蚣草叶片富集砷,利用印度芥菜对土壤中难溶态镉的吸收等。     

Organochlorine contaminants in a coastal lagoon in Argentina: Analysis of sediment, crabs, and cordgrass from two different habitats

Burrowing crabs (Chasmagnathus granulata), sediment collected from inside and outside crab burrows as well as outside the crab bed, and cordgrass (Spartina densiflora) were collected from intertidal mudflat and cordgrass marsh habitats and analyzed for concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and organochlorine (OC) compounds to test the hypothesis that there are differences in the distribution and bioaccumulation of OC contaminants in coastal lagoon habitats in Argentina. PCB concentrations were relatively low, although the penta- and hexachlorobiphenyl detected in sediments and biota indicated that there had been direct inputs of PCBs into the ecosystem. Heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin, endosulfan sulphate, chlordane compounds, DDT and metabolites, and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) were the major pesticides detected in sediment and biota samples. When lipid-normalized concentration data for all OC pesticides in crabs were summed together (ΣOCC), there were higher concentrations in crabs from the cordgrass habitat in comparison to crabs from the mudflat. In sediment samples, there were no significant differences in percent organic matter of marsh and mudflat sediments, but the concentrations of ΣOCC normalized to organic carbon were higher in the sediments collected in the cordgrass marsh. Samples of rhizomes and roots from the cordgrass contained high concentrations of OC compounds and it was estimated that 2.4 kg of heptachlor epoxide, the most abundant OC pesticide, may be present in the total cordgrass root biomass in Mar Chiquita lagoon. These data indicated that the cordgrass in coastal lagoon environments is an important factor in determining the distribution of persistent contaminants, and that a significant portion of the total burden of these hydrophobic compounds may be deposited in cordgrass biomass.     

Groundwater quality as a geoindicator of organochlorine pesticide contamination after pesticide tomb reclamation: a case study of Franciszkowo, northwestern Poland

The need of surface soil removal during reclamation of the former underground landfills makes environmental monitoring difficult to perform. Environmental quality assessment after reclamation is very important because it provides information about: (1) the efficiency of remediation, (2) the rate of biodegradation of contaminants which were not removed during reclamation works and (3) the possible migration of contaminants from soil and permeable host rocks to surface waters and groundwaters. The concept of geoindicators, which was introduced to facilitate the assessment of environmental changes, can help assess environmental quality at sites previously subjected to reclamation. The groundwater quality is usually used as a geoindicator of inorganic contaminants. This concept was applied to find changes in organochlorine pesticide concentrations in groundwaters after toxic pesticide burial ground reclamation. The aim of this study was to monitor the concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and their metabolites in groundwaters at the former pesticide landfill site after its remediation. The study showed that very high concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and their metabolites in a contaminated soil had a small influence on pesticide concentrations in groundwaters and that this influence decreased in time. It has been 2 years since reclamation of the landfill took place, and the concentrations of organochlorine pesticides in groundwaters dropped to acceptable levels within the current environmental quality standards.     

Response of hepatic trace element concentrations in fish exposed to elemental and organic contaminants

Multivariate analysis of contaminant data from a multi-year monitoring program demonstrates alterations in the hepatic chemistry of metals in fish exposed to organic contaminants. Metals (Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, Zn) and organic chemicals (PCBs, DDTs, chlordanes, dieldrins, PAHs) were measured in liver and associated sediments for winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) from 23 sites along the northeast Atlantic coast and for Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) from 30 sites along the southeast Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the United States. Concentrations of habitat contaminants varied from nil to levels signifying important anthropogenic inputs and thus provided a range in chronic exposures and related contaminant stress levels with which to investigate the response of hepatic chemistry in fish representative of viable populations. The data, analyzed by principal component, principal component regression, and biplot procedures, demonstrated an opposing relationship between micronutrient elements, principally Zn, and exposure to organic contaminants in winter flounder. This relationship was not present in Atlantic croaker that were resident in less contaminated habitats. Based on median concentrations in sediment, exposure of winter flounder to important organic contaminants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, DDTs) exceeded that for Atlantic croaker by 7 to 50 times. Coincident with depletion of hepatic Zn and Cd in winter flounder was accumulation of Hg and Ag. My results, in agreement with those of others, implicate the negative effects of hepatic detoxification of organic contaminants on metal binding in liver, which can cause depletion of essential elements while contaminant and potentially toxic elements accumulate.     

Comparison of spawning seasons,age, growth rates,and food of two sympatric species of searobins,Prionotus carolinus and Prionotus evolans,from Long Island Sound

Prionotus carolinus and Prionotus evolans were collected from many locations within Long Island Sound in 1971–1973, and in 1976–1977. Data from earlier collections in Block Island Sound (1943–1945) were also included. A total of 1751 specimens, 960 P. carolinus and 791 P. evolans was examined within these two time periods. Both species entered the Sound in April and spawned during June and July. P. evolans appeared to spawn slightly earlier in summer than P. carolinus. Adults began to leave the Sound after spawning and were usually absent after November. Young-of-the-year were taken regularly from August to November and, occasionally in water over 20 m deep, into February when the bottom water temperature was 1.4°C. At the end of the first growing seasons both species exhibited large variations in standard lengths. Back-calculations from scale annuli measurements indicated that linear growth rates during the juvenile years were similar in both species. However, P. evolans was considerably heavier than P. carolinus. During adulthood P. evolans was not only longer and heavier than P. carolinus, but lived longer. Growth rates are described by the following equations: P. carolinus L_t+1=9.60+0.68 (L_t), and p. evolans L_t+1=7.70+0.80 (L_t). Both species were opportunistic feeders, and crustaceans were clearly the dominant group of prey. Young-of-the-year, between 3–6 cm, ate copepods. As they grew they ate larger prey, such as Neomysis americana, Diastylis quadrispinosus, various species of amphipods of small sizes, and juvenile Crangon septemspinosus. Older fish ate larger sizes of these same prey, a number of species of crabs, juvenile Homarus americanus, and Squilla empusa. Occasionally they ate polychaetes, molluscs, and juvenile fish. Partitioning of the resources of Long Island Sound by these two species appeared to be by prey size. P. evolans ate prey that, on the average, were slightly larger than those eaten by P. carolinus. Furthermore, P. evolans ate a greater amount of nektonic species than P. carolinus, which appeared to prefer benthonic invertebrates.     

Likely Population-Level Effects of Contaminants on a Resident Estuarine Fish Species: Comparing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gillichthys mirabilis</Emphasis> Population Static Measurements and Vital Rates in San Francisco and Tomales Bays

Gillichthys mirabilis population static measurements (abundance, age, and size class structures) and vital rates (growth, mortality, recruitment) were monitored on an annual basis from 2002 to 2007. Population-level metrics were used to gauge habitat quality at two study sites (a contaminated site and a reference site) in two large northern California estuaries (San Francisco and Tomales Bays). San Francisco Bay populations exhibited slower growth and higher mortality rates and contained higher amounts of contaminants than Tomales Bay. Recruitment rates were highest at contaminated sites (Stege Marsh and Walker Creek) in 3 years out of 5 years, suggesting low adult survival. This study suggests that population-level effects on a residential fish may be attributed to estuarine contamination on the US Pacific coast.     

Modeling and assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls contamination in soil at a burial site of power capacitors

Numerous industrial or burial sites contaminated by persistent organic pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pesticides were discovered in China recently. Due to improper choice of technology, many remediation cases had cost too much; however, failed to attain expected goals. In this study, the distribution and transport of PCBs at a burial site were investigated using tested PCBs concentration in order to support the choice of remediation technology and estimate the remediation results. Site characterization was carried out in order to investigate the hydrogeological condition and PCBs pollution nearby the capacitor burial site located in Shanxi, China. Results of PCBs measurement indicated that the proportion of contaminated soil with concentration above 500 mg/kg is 7.8 % and the value for soil with concentration between 50 and 500 mg/kg is 18.0 %. Considering adsorption and biodegradation, the two-dimensional PCBs transport model was established based on advection–dispersion equation. The model calibration showed a good agreement between measured and computed values, indicating the feasibility of this model used for predicting the transport and disappearance of PCBs in soil. Results of 100 years’ simulation demonstrated the slow migration and biodegradation of PCBs. Simulations were conducted for before and after remediation scenarios. Comparison of the results indicates that the remediation alternatives of excavation–incineration and thermal desorption have successfully removed most of the organics and thus reduced the environmental risk to a low level.     

Review: Micro-organic contaminants in groundwater in China

Micro-organic contaminants (MOs) in groundwater, which may have adverse effects on human health and ecosystems worldwide, are gaining increased attention in China. A great deal of research has been conducted to investigate their sources, occurrences and behavior in aquifers. This paper reviews the main sources, distribution, concentrations and behavior of a wide range of MOs in groundwater in China. These MOs include well-established persistent organic pollutants—polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), endocrine disrupting chemicals (poly brominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), phthalic acid esters (PAEs), bisphenol A (BPA)—and some contaminants of emerging concern such as pharmaceutical and personal care products (antibiotics, caffeine, shampoos) and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). The results reveal that the main MOs in groundwater are PAHs, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), PBDEs, PAEs, and antibiotics. Moreover, some PFCs such as perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS), perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) have only recently been observed in groundwater as emerging organic contaminants. Additionally, most MOs are distributed in populated and industrialized areas such as the southeast coast of China. Finally, industrial emissions, wastewater treatment plant effluents and agricultural wastewater are found to be dominant sources of MOs in groundwater. Based on the existing pollution levels, regulation and amelioration of MOs are warranted.     

An investigation of geochemical factors controlling the distribution of PCBs in intertidal sediments at a contamination hot spot,the Clyde Estuary,UK

The concept that total organic C (TOC) is the main factor dominating the sorption of PCBs to sediment is over simplified. Numerous discrepancies are found when trying to compare concentrations predicted from laboratory observations to field concentrations. Some studies show a lack of correlation between PCB and TOC or particle size, but state that it is the origin of the organic matter or the clay swelling that is most important in determining the partitioning to sediment. It may also be argued that the discrepancies are merely a reflection of localised inputs of PCBs. An evaluation of the influence of these factors was undertaken at an intertidal site in the Clyde Estuary, previously highlighted as being highly contaminated by PCBs. Analysis of a series of sediment samples failed to show a strong correlation of PCB content with TOC or particle size. Separation into grain-size fractions and subsequent analysis suggested that both variation in organic matter source and mineralogical composition exerts an influence on congener distribution with implications for the mobility of PCBs within intertidal sediments.     

An assessment of biases associated with caging,tethering, and trawl sampling of summer flounder (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys dentatus</Emphasis>)

We provide an example of the type of bias assessment that should, but often is not, used in ecological studies using techniques such as caging, tethering, and trawl sampling. Growth rates of summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) from cage enclosures were compared to those from mark-recapture trials, and prey types (identified through stomach content analysis) compared between caged fish and wild fish collected from nursery sites over a 2-yr period. Site-specific growth rates estimated from the caging method were similar (± 15%) to those estimated from the mark-recapture trials. Prey types were nearly identical between caged and wild fish, although selectivity may have varied quantitatively. Caging summer flounder will generally be an appropriate tool with which to measure growth rates in the wild, but comparisons with an independent measurement method are necessary for validation. In tethering trials, predation was significantly greater on tethered than on untethered fish, indicating that tethering is not an appropriate tool with which to measure absolute rates of predation on juvenile summer flounder. The lack of effects of substrate (sand versus mud) and fish origin (hatchery-reared versus wild) on predation of tethered versus untethered fish indicates that tethering trials will not indicate treatment-specific differences when none exist. Tethering may be an acceptable method for comparing relative rates of predation on different substrates and between hatchery-reared and wild juvenile summer flounder in the field, although true differences in treatment levels could be masked by tethering. Beam trawl efficiency estimates for juvenile summer flounder were similar between beach and marsh habitats, but differed significantly between marsh sites, indicating that site-specific trawl efficiency estimates may be critical to accurately assess juvenile flounder the appropriateness of comparisons of size-frequency information between the sites and habitats used in this study. Caging, tethering, and beam trawl sampling are appropriate tools for measuring ecological parameters of juvenile summer flounder, but only if possible biases of each method are identified and compensated for when interpreting data collected using these methods.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls in the Nanshan Underground River, China

Abstract Karst areas have much higher ecological vulnerability and are easy to be contaminated by polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs) which are introduced as health risk pollutants.PCBs concentrations were used to understand the transport behavior of PCBs conducted in the karst Nanshan Underground River,China.Water and sediments from the underground river water,and sediments and soil from the surface of the corresponding watershed were collected monthly in 2011 and 2012 and PCBs were analyzed.Seasonal variations were found in concentrations of PCBs both in the waters and sediments.PCBs concentrations varied from 0.3 to 29.9 ng·L-1 in the groundwater,while from 0.1 to 366.1 ng·g-1 in the underground sediments.Correlations were found in concentrations of PCBs in waters and sediments between the underground river and surface systems which indicate that the surface systems play a major role for the transport of PCBs and contamination in the underground river systems.Karst features are liable for the transport behavior.The underground river waters transport PCBs at mean 3 g·day-1.     

Chemical contaminant exposure and effects in four fish species from Tampa Bay,Florida

Concentrations of selected anthropogenic chemical contaminants and levels of pollution-related biological effects were measured during three consecutive years (1990–1992) in hardhead catfish (Arius felis), Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis), longnose killifish (F. majalis), and red drum (Scieaenops ocellatus) from 12 subtidal and intertidal sites in Tampa Bay and nearby Sarasota Bay. Each species was collected from at least four sites. Compared to nonindustrialized sites, concentrations of PCBs, DDTs, and alpha-chlordane in liver, and of fluorescent aromatic compounds in bile, were highest in fish from sites in or near Hillsborough Bay, the most industrialized portion of Tampa Bay. The results of analyses for two biochemical markers of contaminant-induced effects in fish, hepatic cytochrome P4501A activities and levels of hepatic DNA adducts, also showed the highest levels to be in all four fish species from sites in the vicinity of Hillsborough Bay. Liver lesions, considered to be pollution-associated in several other bottom-feeding fish species, were found in hardhead catfish and longnose killifish, exclusively from sites in Hillsborough Bay. Overall, concentrations of selected contaminants and their derivatives in the four target fish species generally reflected concentrations of these contaminants found in sediment. The biochemical and histopathological responses demonstrated that chemical contaminant concentrations in the vicinity of Hillsborough Bay are sufficiently high to cause adverse effects in indigenous fish species. The results, collectively, showed that the extent of contaminant exposure and biological effects in fish from sites in Tampa Bay were low to moderate compared to more urbanized coastal sites of the United States. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY073 00009     

Life Histories, Salinity Zones, and Sublethal Contributions of Contaminants to Pelagic Fish Declines Illustrated with a Case Study of San Francisco Estuary, California, USA

Human effects on estuaries are often associated with major decreases in abundance of aquatic species. However, remediation priorities are difficult to identify when declines result from multiple stressors with interacting sublethal effects. The San Francisco Estuary offers a useful case study of the potential role of contaminants in declines of organisms because the waters of its delta chronically violate legal water quality standards; however, direct effects of contaminants on fish species are rarely observed. Lack of direct lethality in the field has prevented consensus that contaminants may be one of the major drivers of coincident but unexplained declines of fishes with differing life histories and habitats (anadromous, brackish, and freshwater). Our review of available evidence indicates that examining the effects of contaminants and other stressors on specific life stages in different seasons and salinity zones of the estuary is critical to identifying how several interacting stressors could contribute to a general syndrome of declines. Moreover, warming water temperatures of the magnitude projected by climate models increase metabolic rates of ectotherms, and can hasten elimination of some contaminants. However, for other pollutants, concurrent increases in respiratory rate or food intake result in higher doses per unit time without changes in the contaminant concentrations in the water. Food limitation and energetic costs of osmoregulating under altered salinities further limit the amount of energy available to fish; this energy must be redirected from growth and reproduction toward pollutant avoidance, enzymatic detoxification, or elimination. Because all of these processes require energy, bioenergetics methods are promising for evaluating effects of sublethal contaminants in the presence of other stressors, and for informing remediation. Predictive models that evaluate the direct and indirect effects of contaminants will be possible when data become available on energetic costs of exposure to contaminants given simultaneous exposure to non-contaminant stressors.     

Galveston Bay: Temporal changes in the concentrations of trace organic contaminants in national status and trends oysters (1986–1994)

The temporal distributions for six classes of trace organic contaminants (chlordanes, DDTs, dieldrin, PAHs, PCBs, and butyltins) in oysters from six Galveston Bay sites from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Status and Trends (NS&T) Mussel Watch Program are compared with other NS&T sites from the Gulf of Mexico as well as all NS&T sites of the United States (East Coast, West Coast, and Gulf of Mexico). Decreases in the median for the Gulf-wide concentration of chlordanes, dieldrin, and butyltins occurred during 1986–1994. The Gulfwide median concentrations of DDTs, PAHs, and PCBs exhibited a strong cyclic distribution with time. For Galveston Bay oysters, “high” concentration is defined as the concentration greater than the median plus one standard deviation for all Gulf of Mexico sites. The percentage of sites having high concentrations during 1986–1994 for Galveston Bay oysters are 49% for dieldrin, 45% for butyltins, 40% for chlordanes, 38% for PCBs, 30% for PAHs, and 21% for DDTs. For PCBs, 43% of Galveston Bay oyster samples analyzed over the first 9 yr have concentrations high enough for potential biological effects to be observed in oysters. The percentages in other agents were chlordanes (22%), butyltins (22%), dieldrin (5%), and PAHs (4%). National Academy of Science-proposed regulatory limits for oysters were exceeded in only 2% of Galveston Bay samples for DDTs and 1% for PCBs. All other contaminants were below proposed NAS limits.