Can adsorption isotherms predict sediment bioavailability?

The adsorption and desorption of 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) and pentachloroph enol (PCP) were studied for a range of synthetic particles, a dimethyldital lowammonium exchanged clay and a natural sediment. The synthetic particles were Dowex 1X8400, Toyopearl Phenyl 650M and Toyopearl SP 650M. The bioaccu mulation of the DCP and PCP from these particles was then studied using the oligochaete, Lumbriculus variegatus. There is a correlation between contam inant-particle interactions, as determined from adsorption and desorption i sotherms, and bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation by L. variegatus was found t o be highest from the systems where differences in the classification of ad sorption and desorption isotherms were observed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.