Trophic transfer of benzo[a]pyrene metabolites between benthic marine organisms

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the potential for trophic transfer of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites from infaunal organisms to bottom-feeding fish. Winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, were given single oral doses of ground polychaetes (Nereis virens), either treated with pure [ 14C]henzo[a]pyrene (BaP) or containing a mixture of naturally produced radiolabeled BaP and BaP metabolites. Fish were sacrificed 24 h after feeding and total accumulated radioactivity and metabolite class profiles determined in major organs. Metabolites produced by worms were absorbed by flounder, although as a percentage of dose given they were less available than parent BaP. Comparison of metabolite profiles in the worm diet and in target organs in the fish indicated that metabolites accumulated through the diet can be further modified by the prey organism and can lead to the formation of bound residues. These results demonstrate that PAH metabolites in the diet are available for accumulation. Furthermore, metabolites absorbed appear to be susceptible to metabolic alteration by consumer organisms.