Abstract
This study investigated the effect of freshwater as a point source of PCBs contributing to a marine outfall region. Inflowing and outflowing water from the North End Lake, Port Elizabeth, was collected to determine the contamination levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Mussels at the outflow to the sea were also sampled. The samples were analysed by an internal standard method for 6 indicator PCB congeners using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The total PCB concentrations in the water (dissolved plus particulate phases) ranged from 0.180 to 0.355 ng∙L -1 and from 20.84 to 31.34 ng∙g -1 wet weight (ww) in mussels. Lighter PCB congeners exhibited highest concentrations in the water samples while heavier PCBs were dominant in mussels. PCB-52 was the most abundant in the water samples while PCB-153 was abundant in mussels. To protect human health from the possible effects of eating fish and shellfish contaminated with PCBs, the Environmental Protection Agency regulates that the level of PCBs in water be no greater than 0.17 ng∙L -1 of water. The levels of PCBs in water from the North End Lake were found to be high (0.180 – 0.355 ng∙L -1 ) compared to the levels recommended by EPA. Keywords : dissolved phase, GC/MS, North End Lake, particulate phase, sedentary organisms
Highlights
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are one of the most widespread, ubiquitous and hazardous contaminants of marine ecosystems (Moore et al, 2002)
PCB concentrations were higher in mussels than in water because bivalves are filter-feeding organisms, and can concentrate contaminants to levels well above those present in water
Due to the lipophilic nature of PCBs, foods of animal origin are an important source of exposure
Summary
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are one of the most widespread, ubiquitous and hazardous contaminants of marine ecosystems (Moore et al, 2002). Areas near urban and industrial centres are exposed to elevated concentrations of these contaminants. The persistent nature of PCBs, along with their mobility, influences their presence in almost all water bodies, making them potential environmental and human health concerns (Breivik et al, 2004). The release of various organic pollutants from different sources such as aerial deposition, runoff, and domestic wastewater from households and industrial effluents into the environment is an issue of great concern in many countries. Seas, rivers, and dams have become the immediate environmental reservoirs for possible organic pollutants (Chee et al, 1996). In South Africa, contaminated stormwater from urban areas and runoff from rivers are sources of hydrocarbon loads to the marine environment (Taljaard et al, 2000). PCBs can be transported over long distances by both the atmosphere and water; these contaminants are often detected in locations that are isolated from original sources (Olenycz et al, 2015)
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