Different pathways for the uptake of benzo(a)pyrene adsorbed to sediment by the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.

Abstract

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a major class of organic contaminants in the marine environment and may not only affect productivity of marine organisms but may ultimately affect the human health. In the aquatic habitat, many organisms readily accumulate PAHs from the environment and store them at a relatively high level in their tissues. Consequently, it is of interest to determine the bioavailability of PAHs for marine species such as mussels consumed by humans. Most of the studies on experimental accumulation and depuration of PAHs in marine organisms were carried out by addition of either water solubilized PAHs or sediment adsorbed compounds to a clean environment. To test the bioavailability of PAHs adsorbed in sediment, the present study describes the release of labelled B(a)P from contaminated sediment and its transfer to water and mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis). The effect of sediment suspension was also investigated. 11 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.