Distribution of polychlorinated biphenyl residues in several tissues of fish from the North End Lake, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

E Kampire,Jb Adams,G Rubidge

doi:10.4314/wsa.v41i4.16

E Kampire, Jb Adams + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v41i4.16

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Journal: Water SA	Publication Date: Jul 29, 2015
Citations: 6	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Nelson Mandela University

Abstract

The concentrations and distribution of 6 PCB indicator congeners (IUPAC nos. 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180) were measured in 236 organ samples of fish ( Cyprinus carpio and Oreochromis mossambicus ) from the North End Lake in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were extracted from the fish muscles, gills, gonads and livers using USEPA method 8082, followed by a clean-up using concentrated sulphuric acid and florisil column chromatography. Analysis was achieved by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) using the internal standard method. The concentrations of total PCBs in the liver, gonads, gills and muscle were 95.69, 57.49, 44.63, 34.14 ng∙g -1 lipid weight (lw) in C. carpio and 119.73, 59.21, 49.78, 34.63 ng∙g -1 (lw) in O. mossambicus , respectively. These values were relatively low compared to those reported in the literature. PCB levels were predictably highest in the lipid-rich livers. Individual congeners were not distributed homogeneously within the investigated organs. PCBs 153 and 138 were present at higher concentrations than other PCB congeners for both species. PCB contaminants in fish act as indicators of pollution in aquatic ecosystems and are a potential threat to human health when consumed. Keywords : PCBs, tissues, fish, GC/MS, biomagnification, North End Lake

Highlights

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic chemicals made up of 209 isomers classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
Total PCBs in C. carpio and O. mossambicus ranged from 34.14 ± 14.88 to 95.69 ± 24.56 and from 34.63 ± 18.44 to 119.73 ± 1 6.06 ng∙g-1 lipid weight with an average of 57.99 ± 26.89 and 65.84 ± 37.71 ng∙g-1 lw, respectively
Fish act as indicators of PCB pollution in the aquatic ecosystems where they store chemical substances either directly from the surrounding environment or from their diet (Lavandier et al, 2013). These contaminants in fish are a threat to predators and humans when consumed due to the fact that PCBs are soluble in the lipids fraction, especially the higher chlorobiphenyls, thereby increasing their bioaccumulation and biomagnification (Urbaniak, 2007; Beyer and Biziuk, 2009)

Summary

Introduction

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic chemicals made up of 209 isomers classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). They are bioaccumulative substances, causing serious damage to the environment, and have been identified worldwide (Ahmed, 2003; Hu et al, 2010; Cimenci et al, 2013; Gdaniec-Pietryka et al, 2013). PCBs were introduced into the environment primarily as a result of anthropogenic activities (Iwata et al, 1993). Due to their resistance to electrical, thermal, and chemical processes, PCBs have been used in a wide variety of applications since their commercial production in 1929 (Anyasi and Atagana, 2011). Because of the persistence of these contaminants and the resulting harmful effects to organisms and human health, it is necessary to continue to monitor their distribution in the environment (Toaspern, 2003)

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