Uptake and retention of 14C-Aroclor 1254 in the amphipod, Gammarus tigrinus, fed contaminated fungus, Fusarium oxysporum.

Abstract

Food chain transfer of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was studied by feeding contaminated fungus,Fusarium oxysporum, to the amphipod,Gammarus tigrinus, both isolated from the Hudson River. Apparent distribution coefficients (μg PCB/g dry wt. fungus // μg PCB/g medium) of 1.14–1.33 × 103 were determined when14C-Aroclor 1254 at 0.007 μg/g was added to 4-day old fungal growth for 24 hr. InG. tigrinus fed contaminated fungus, cross-gut PCB assimilation was indicated. Rapid PCB uptake occurred with a constant level achieved between 9 and 24 hr. Over a period of 144 hr, 57% of accumulated PCBs were eliminated. The results suggest that dietary uptake may contribute substantially to PCB levels inGammarus.