Uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from suspended oil borne sediments by the marine bivalve Sunetta scripta

Citation
Nn. Menon et Nr. Menon, Uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from suspended oil borne sediments by the marine bivalve Sunetta scripta, AQUAT TOX, 45(1), 1999, pp. 63-69
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Aquatic Sciences
Journal title
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
ISSN journal
0166445X → ACNP
Volume
45
Issue
1
Year of publication
1999
Pages
63 - 69
Database
ISI
SICI code
0166-445X(199903)45:1<63:UOPAHF>2.0.ZU;2-C
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) associated with bottom sediments, ca n get dissociated into the surrounding water in dissolved or particulate fo rm, the latter by way of resuspension also, Benthic organisms ingesting sed iment particles accumulate PAH leading to high body burdens and thus functi on as a link to transport those contaminants in the food webs. The effects of PAH contaminated particles on the rate of accumulation of PAH by the fil ter/suspension feeding benthic bivalve Sunetta scripta (Linne) was investig ated. The PAH content of the sediment, water and bivalves in two different experimental procedures viz., a setup with sediments retained in suspension and another with sediments in an undisturbed facet were determined for a p eriod of 10 days under controlled laboratory conditions. Bioaccumulation wa s higher in clams exposed to sediments in suspension (whole tissue load - 2 1.49 mu g g(-1) wet wt.) than those exposed to undisturbed sediment (whole tissue load 13.35 mu g g(-1) wet wt). It was found out that keeping the sed iments in suspension resulted in increased PAH content in the surrounding w ater. The results proved that bioavailability of PAH to suspension feeding bivalves will be enhanced should they inhabit such environmental situations . (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.