Eco-Kinetic Model for the Accumulation of PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyl) in Marine Fishes,
Abstract
The author's empirical and modeling data have direct application to ongoing ocean dumping studies: (1) The hypothesis that PCE burden in fishes is strongly related to diet renders the 'mass loading' approach to ocean PCB pollution ineffective in estimating contaminant levels in fish. Both dredged material and sewage sludge must be evaluated more carefully to assess real quantities of PCBs injected into the food chain and the water column. (2) The pharmacokinetics of PCBs in fishes suggest that any isolation of contaminated materials from entry to the food chain wil have the effect of lowering PCB body burdens in the large, predatory species which often form an important part of the human diet. Thus, maintaining a surficial layer of sediments with low or nonavailable PCBs will, in all likelihood, result in a trend toward lower body burdens in all trophic levels. (3) The overall outcome of the model suggests that we shall not see increased PCB levels in fishes if input rates and input sources remain similar to those of recent years.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADP004752
Entities
People
- J. C. Pizza
- J. M. O'corror
Organizations
- United States Army Corps of Engineers