Effects of the polychlorinated biphenyl Aroclor® 1254 on the American oyster Crassostrea virginica

Abstract

Young oysters (Crassostrea virginica) were continuously exposed to Aroclor® 1254, a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), in flowing, unfiltered seawater. Growth rate (height and in-water weight) was significantly reduced (α=0.05) in oysters exposed to 5 μg/l (ppb) for 24 weeks. Growth rate was not affected in oysters exposed to 1 ppb for 30 weeks. Mortality was not significant in exposed and control groups. In oysters exposed to 5 ppb, greatest PCB residue (whole body) was 425 mg/kg (ppm), 85,000x the concentration in the water, and less than 0.3 ppm was retained after 28 weeks depuration in PCB-free water. In oysters exposed to 1 ppb, greatest residue was 101 ppm, 101,000x the concentration in the water, and less than 0.2 ppm was retained after 12 weeks depuration. Examination of oysters exposed to 5 ppb of this PCB for pathogenesis revealed atrophy of digestive diverticular epithelium and degeneration of vesicular connective tissues concomitant with leukocytic infiltration, but tissue recovery seemed excellent after 12 weeks depuration.