Aquatic Disposal Field Investigations Duwamish Waterway Disposal Site Puget Sound, Washington. Appendix B. Role of Disposal of PCB-Contaminated Sediment in the Accumulation of PCB'S by Marine Animals.
Abstract
This report describes studies concerning the possible transfer to marine animals of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) as a result of the open-water disposal of PCB-laden dredged material. Dredged material from the Duwamish River in Seattle, Washington, was deposited at an experimental site in nearby Elliott Bay. The PCB content of indigenous animals, English sole (Parophrys vetulus) and Alaska and Oregon pink shrimp (Pandalus borealis and P. jordani), and animals caged at the site, spot shrimp (P. platyceros), sea cucumber (Parastichopus californicus), and mussel (Mytilus edulis) was determined. It was not possible to ascertain whether or not marine animals concentrate PCB's as the result of deposition of PCB-laden dredged material. The small increase in PCB level observed in mussels may have been related to the flux of PCB's resulting from the disposal operation. Alternatively, it may have issued from the PCB burden normally carried downstream by the Duwamish River. These data indicate that no obvious changes have occurred in the PCB levels in marine animals in Elliott Bay as the result of depositing PCB-laden dredged material at the experimental site. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA055218
Entities
People
- Laura G. Lewis
- Virginia F. Stout
Organizations
- National Marine Fisheries Service