Fle. Chu et al., PCB uptake and accumulation by oysters (Crassostrea virginica) exposed viaa contaminated algal diet, MAR ENV RES, 50(1-5), 2000, pp. 217-221
Reproductively active oysters were fed daily with 0.2 g algal paste contain
ing 0, 0.1, and 1.0 mug polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (1:1:1 mixture of
Aroclor 1242, 1254 and 1260) for either 15 or 30 days, and accumulation of
PCBs in different organ tissues and eggs assessed. The effects of PCB expos
ure on lipid content, lipid class and fatty acid composition were also eval
uated. PCBs were accumulated by the oysters and transferred to the eggs. PC
B accumulation in oysters was dose, time and tissue dependent. Mean PCB con
tents were 3150, 1970, and 250 ng/g dry wt., respectively, in the visceral
mass, gills + mantle and muscle of oysters fed algal paste containing 1.0 m
ug PCBs for 30 days. The PCBs in the eggs from the same oysters reached 671
ng PCBs/g dry wt. Feeding oysters with PCB-sorbed algal paste for 30 days
significantly increased phospholipid and free fatty acid contents in gillsmantle tissues compared to the same tissues in the undosed control. (C) 200
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