Toxicity of Aroclor® 1254 and its physiological activity in several estuarine organisms

Abstract

The occurrence of high concentrations of a PCB (Aroclor 1254) in the Pensacola estuary prompted field and laboratory studies by the Gulf Breeze Environmental Research Laboratory (EPA). Monitoring of the estuary indicates the chemical is present in all components--particularly in sediments and fishes. Residues appear to be diminishing in sediments. Toxicity tests show estuarine species sensitive at ppb concentrations in water, with a ciliate protozoan (Tetrahymena pyriformis W), (Fundulus similis), affected at or near 1.0 ppb. Tissue concentrations of Aroclor 1254 similar to those found in natural populations of shrimps from the contaminated estuary were successfully duplicated in laboratory experiments. Shrimps also concentrated the PCB from very low concentrations (0.04 ppb) in the water. Three estuarine species demonstrated pathologic changes at tissue and cellular level after chronic exposure to the chemical. Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) developed abnormal infiltration of leukocytes in the connective tissue, spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) developed fatty changes in their livers, and shrimp (Penaeus duorarum) developed crystalloids in hepatopancreatic nuclei.