BIOACCUMULATION OF PAHS IN THE ZEBRA MUSSEL AT TIMES BEACH, BUFFALO, NEW-YORK

The zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, was utilized in an in situ stu dy in the Times Beach Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) located in Buff alo, New York. Mussels, placed both in the water column (upper positio n) and at the sediment surface (lower position), survived a 34-day exp osure to the CDE At the CDF, total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PA H) concentrations in the water column were below detection limits (<0. 010 mg l(-1)), mean total PAH concentrations in the sediment were 164. 41 mg kg(-1), and mean total PAH concentrations in mussel tissues afte r the 34-day exposure were 6.58 mg kg(-1). PAH concentrations in musse ls exposed for 34 days at the CDF were compared to a baseline PAH conc entrations in mussel tissue prior to study initiation (Day 0), and mus sel tissue from the reference site (Black Rock Channel Lock). There wa s a significant increase in total PAHs in mussel tissues over the 34 D ay period at the CDE No significant accumulation occurred at the refer ence site. PAHs which increased significantly in mussel tissue at the CDF were fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, and benzo(a)anthracene. Benzo (a)anthracene concentrations increased significantly in mussels at the upper position overall at Times Beach. Concentrations of Total PAHs, fluoranthene, pyrene, and chrysene were not related to position.