In situ phytoremediation of PAH- and PCB-contaminated marine sediments with eelgrass (Zostera marina)

In view of the fact that there are presently no cost-effective in situ treatment technologies for contaminated sediments, a 60-week-long phytoremediation feasibility study was conducted in seawater-supplied outdoor ponds to determine whether eelgrass (Zostera marina) is capable of removing polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from submerged marine sediments. It was determined that all PAHs and PCBs, independent of the number of aromatic rings and degree of chlorination, respectively, were removed to a much larger extent in planted sediments compared to unplanted controls. After 60 weeks of treatment, the concentration of total PAHs decreased by 73% in planted sediments but only 25% in unplanted controls. Similarly, total PCBs declined by 60% in the presence of plants while none were removed in the unplanted sediment. Overall, the apparent PAH and PCB biodegradation was greatest in the sediment layer that contained most of the eelgrass roots. Abiotic desorption tests conducted at week 32 confirmed that the phytoremediation process was not controlled by mass-transfer or bioavailability limitations since all PAHs and PCBs desorbed rapidly and to a large extent from the sediment. PAHs were detected in both roots and shoots, with root and shoot bioaccumulation factors for total PAHs amounting to approximately 3 and 1, respectively, after 60 weeks of phytoremediation treatment. Similarly, the root bioaccumulation factor for total PCBs was around 4, while no PCBs were detected in the eelgrass leaves at the end of the experiment. The total mass fraction of PAHs and PCBs absorbed and translocated by plant biomass during the 60-week period was insignificant, amounting to less than 0.5% of the total mass of PAHs and PCBs which was initially present in the sediment. Finally, the number of total heterotrophic bacteria and hydrocarbon degraders was slightly but not statistically significantly greater in planted sediments than in unplanted controls. After ruling out contaminant loss to the water column or absorption and transformation within plant cells, it is most likely that the presence of eelgrass stimulated the microbial biodegradation of PAHs and PCBs in the rhizosphere by releasing root exudates, plant enzymes, or even oxygen. Additional research is needed to further elucidate these potential phytoremediation mechanisms.     

The uptake of persistent organic pollutants by plants

In a field experiment, the transfer of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from contaminated soil to maize (Zea mays L.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), poplar (Populus nigra × P. maximowiczii) and willow (Salix × smithiana) and the distribution of PCB congeners in maize and sunflower was investigated. The former waste incinerator in Hradec Králové (Czech Republic) was chosen for the experiment. Results of plot screening showed heterogenous contamination by PCBs and PAHs. PCB soil contamination was evidently caused by Delor 106 or Aroclor 1260 stocking and PAH contamination by chemicals containing fluoranthene, benzo/b/fluoranthene, phenanthrene and pyrene. Tested plants were planted on a contaminated field site, in soil contaminated with 1530 μg/kg of total PCBs and 0.138 and 3.42 mg/kg of total PAHs. The results show that maize and sunflower roots accumulated the most PCBs from soil. These plants accumulated hexa- and heptachlorobiphenyl congeners more than tri-, tetra-, and pentachlorobiphenyl congeners. Total concentrations of PAHs in tested plants ranged from 0.096 to 1.34 mg/kg. The highest phenanthrene concentration was found in aboveground biomass of sunflower and the highest concentration of pyrene, in maize roots.     

Plant terpenes and lignin as natural cosubstrates in biodegradation of polyclorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

The objective of this minireview is to examine how cometabolic biodegradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) might be affected by plant terpenes and lignins as natural substrates abundant in nature. The topics covered, hence, are environmental significance of PCBs and PAHs, nature and distribution of plant terpenes and lignin, structural and metaoblic similarities of the natural compounds to PCBs and PAHs, and possible roles of the natural substrates in inducing the biodegradative pathways of PCBs and PAHs.     

Environmental contaminants and the prevalence of hemic neoplasia (leukemia) in the common mussel (Mytilus edulis complex) from Puget Sound, Washington, U.S.A

The relationship between hemic neoplasia, a blood cell disorder in bivalve molluscs, and chemical contaminants was evaluated in the common mussel (Mytilus edulis complex). Hemic neoplasia (HN) is endemic to mussel populations in Puget Sound. The prevalence of hemic neoplasia ranged from 0 to 30% in mussels from nine sites in Puget Sound, Washington. Organic chemical contamination in sediment from these sites range from 0.1 to 64.0 ppm of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 0.07 to 0.50 ppm chlorinated hydrocarbons. No relationship between the body burden of environmental contaminants and the prevalence of HN in mussels was identified. To evaluate the short-term ability of chemical contaminants to induce HN in mussels, mussels, from a site where mussels were previously determined to be HN free, were fed microencapsulated PAHs (composed of a mixture of phenanthrene, flouranthene, and benzo[a]pyrene) or PCBs (Aroclor 1254) and the prevalence of HN was assessed after 30 days of exposure. Although an apparent increase in HN prevalence (20 to 30%) was observed in all treatments groups except the untreated controls, no significant difference in the prevalence of HN was observed between the control group of mussels fed corn oil (vehicle) and mussels fed either PAHs or PCBs in corn oil. A long-term (180-day) exposure study was conducted to evaluate the influence of PAHs or PCBs in modulating the prevalence of HN in a mussel population already exhibiting a moderate HN prevalence. Mussels, from a site where mussels were previously determined to exhibit a background prevalence of HN, fed microencapsulated PAHs, PCBs, and corn oil (vehicle) over a long time period (180 days), revealed an apparent increased prevalence of HN (30 to 40%) above the low levels (20%) initially present. However, no significant difference in the prevalence of HN was observed between the control group of mussels fed corn oil (vehicle) and mussels fed either PAHs or PCBs in corn oil. Although chemical contaminants have been proposed as a modulating factor in the development and promotion of HN in bivalve molluscs from environmentally stressed and degraded habitats, we find no evidence that chemical contaminants induce or promote the development of HN in the mussel M. edulis complex.     

Distribution,Sources Identification,and Ecological Risk of PAHs and PCBs in Coastal Surface Sediments from the Northern Persian Gulf

Hormozgan Province plays a vital role in fishery, petroleum, and industrial activities in southern Iran. However, no comprehensive studies on organic pollution have been performed. PCBs and PAHs were analyzed in surface sediments from areas receiving industrial (nine sites), river (one site), and urban (two sites) effluents. The sediment samples were collected in March and September 2010 (in dry and wet seasons) at the highest tidal time. The overall pollution level of PCBs ranged from 2.5 ± 0.8 to 462.0 ± 206.7 ng/g dry weight. CB153 congener dominated in most of the sediment samples. Congener profiles of PCBs showed close similarity with formulations of commercial products such as Aroclor 1260 and 1254 g. A wide range of 55.3 to 1231.6 ng/g dry weight was detected for ∑PAHs. Results of PCA and PCA-MLR tests confirmed both petrogenic and pyrogenic origins for PAH pollution. The higher means of ∑PAHs and ∑PCBs in industrial and urban wastewaters were found near the shore, evidencing the role of these wastewaters in the PAH and PCB contamination in Hormozgan sediment. The concentrations of PAHs and PCBs in detected hotspots exceed the U.S. NOAA sediment quality guidelines.     

Effects of field-contaminated sediments and related water soluble components on haemocyte function and Perkinsus marinus susceptibility and expression in oysters

This paper reviews and discusses our recent findings on the effects of contaminated sediments (CSs) and related water-soluble fractions (WSFs) on haemocyte function/activity and the onset and progression of an infectious disease caused by the protozoan parasite, Perkinsus marinus (Dermo) in the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica. Sediments used to generate WSFs and sediments used for the whole CS exposure experiments were collected in different areas of the southern branch of the Elizabeth River, a heavily polluted sub-estuary of the Chesapeake Bay, USA. The WSFs were dominated by low molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The CSs used for whole CS exposure experiment had elevated concentrations of high molecular weight PAHs. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and metals were also present in the CSs. No PCBs were detected in the WSFs. In vitro exposure of haemocytes to WSFs derived from CSs reduced to haemocytes' chemotaxic, phagocytic, and chemiluminescent responses to some extent. Exposure of oysters to suspended CSs stimulated neutral red uptake, mitochondrial dehydrogenase production and ³H-leucine incorporation in haemocytes. Exposure of oysters to 0, 15, 30% WSFs increased the oysters' susceptibility to laboratory-induced infection caused by P. marinus. Exposure of oysters to 15, and 30% dilutions of WSFs for 33 days or to 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0g CSs for 30 days significantly elevated the expression/progression of latent P. marinus infection in oysters in a dose-dependent manner.     

Embryolethality and induction of 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase in chick embryos by polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons having Ah receptor affinity.

The lethality and 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD)-inducing potency of some individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in chick embryos were measured in order to compare the mechanisms of action of these compounds. In previous studies it was found that coplanar PCBs and certain PAHs have a high embryolethality in the chicken and that they induce embryonic EROD activity. Although the most potent PAHs were almost as embryolethal as the PCBs when injected into hens' eggs 72 h prior to measurement, they were considerably less potent EROD inducers. In the present study, three coplanar PCBs (3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB), 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PeCB) and 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB)) and four of the most toxic PAHs (benzo[a]anthracene (BaA), benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF), indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (IP) and dibenzo[a, h]-anthracene (DBahA] were administered to chick embryos in different ways, including co-administration. Additive embryolethality was found when BkF and PeCB were co-administered as well as when BaA and DBahA were given simultaneously. The PAHs were more effective as EROD inducers when injected on day 9 (24 h prior to measurement) than when injected on day 7 (72 h prior to measurement). The opposite was found for PeCB and HCB, whereas no difference in potency was noted when comparing TCB injected 24 and 72 h before EROD determination. These substance-related differences were probably due, at least partly, to differences in biotransformation rates. EROD activities found after treatment with high doses of BkF, IP, or DBahA on day 9 were similar to those measured after treatment with PeCB in doses high enough to give maximal induction. Co-administration of high doses of BkF and PeCB did not further increase the activity, indicating that the PAHs and coplanar PCBs induce EROD to a common maximal value. To decrease the influence of metabolization of the PAHs on their EROD-inducing potency, EROD was determined early in development (day 8) and soon after treatment (24 h) in one experiment. In that experiment, the PAHs proved to be only a few times less potent EROD inducers in relation to their embryolethalities compared with the PCBs. The results of the present study, a previously observed similarity in pathology between chick embryos treated with PAHs and embryos treated with coplanar PCBs, and the fact that the most toxic PAHs also are the most avid Ah receptor binders suggest that the coplanar PCBs and the PAHs largely exert their toxicity in chick embryos via an Ah receptor-mediated mechanism. The differences between the compounds in their EROD-inducing potency/embryolethality ratios could probably be explained by their different rates of biotransformation.     

An Integrated Case Study for Evaluating the Impacts of an Oil Refinery Effluent on Aquatic Biota in the Delaware River: Bivalve Bioavailability Studies

The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other non-polar organics in resident brackish water clams (Rangia cuneata) at selected sites near an oil refinery; (2) determine if the tissue burdens were causing adverse effects to the clams, and (3) evaluate potential seasonal variations from reproduction in clams taken from the same beds in the spring and fall. Clams were evaluated from three beds located in the refinery discharge plume (near-field stations), three beds located up river outside of the Refinery effluent plume (north far-field), and three beds down river (south far-field) of the Refinery plume. Total PAH concentrations in the tissues of the near-field clams were significantly higher than in the clams located at the far-field stations in both the spring and fall. Total PAH concentrations of the near-field clams were significantly higher in the spring than the fall. No difference was found in total PAHs in the spring or fall in the far-field clams. Total pesticide and total PCB concentrations were significantly higher in the spring than the fall at all stations. The highest concentrations of both pesticides and PCBs were found at the north far-field stations. A tissue residue concentration analysis and three theoretical approaches for estimating detrimental effects to clams in both the near- and far-field suggested that no adverse effects should occur from total PAHs, total pesticides, or total PCBs. Some uncertainty, however, was associated with the theoretical approaches. An estimate of clam density in each clam bed showed that Rangia were growing and reproducing at all stations.     

Sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by dietary fiber extracted from wheat bran

The unintentional ingestion of carcinogenic xenobiotic substances leads to the high risk of cancer. Dietary fiber (DF) may protect against cancer by sorbing such chemicals. To this end, the sorption of four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to DF extracted from wheat bran (WB) was studied. The strong affinity of PAHs to DF and WB indicated the effective binding of PAHs, and their distribution coefficients (K_d) positively increased with the increase in hydrophobicity of the PAHs. The DF had much higher K_d values for all PAHs compared to those of the unprocessed WB. The DF extraction process removed hydrophilic residues, such as starch, from WB, and increased the roughness of DF surface. Loss of hydrophilic components from WB to DF led to much higher affinity of DF with PAHs than WB. The results indicate that the DF can effectively sorb and remove xenobiotics, thereby having the potential to lower carcinogenic risk to humans.     

Genotoxic damage in Solea senegalensis exposed to sediments from the Sado Estuary (Portugal): Effects of metallic and organic contaminants

Juvenile Solea senegalensis (Senegalese sole) were exposed to freshly collected sediments from three sites of the Sado Estuary (West-Portuguese coast) in 28-day laboratory assays in order to assess the ecological risk from sediment contaminants, by measuring two genotoxicity biomarkers in peripheral blood: the percentage of Erythrocyte Nuclear Abnormalities (ENA) by use of an adaptation of the micronucleus test, and the percentage of DNA strand-breakage (DNA-SB) with the Comet assay. Sediments were surveyed for metallic (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb) and organic (PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and DDTs (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane)) contaminants. Sediments from site A (farthest from hotspots of contamination) were found to be the least contaminated and weaker inducers of genotoxic damage, whereas sediments from sites B (urban influence) and C (affected by industrial effluents and agricultural runoffs) were responsible for a very significant increase in both ENA and DNA-SB, site B being most contaminated with metals and site C mainly with organic pollutants, especially PAHs and PCBs . Analysis of genotoxic effects showed a strong correlation between the concentrations of PAHs and PCBs and both biomarkers at sampling times T₁₄ and T₂₈, while the amounts of Cu, As, Cd and Pb were less strongly correlated, and at T₂₈ only, with ENA and DNA-SB. These results show that organic contaminants in sediment are stronger and faster acting genotoxic stressors. The results also suggest that metals may have an inhibitory effect on genotoxicity when interacting with organic contaminants, at least during early exposure. ENA and DNA-SB do not show a linear relationship, but a strong correlation exists between the overall increase in genotoxicity caused by exposure to sediment, confirming that they are different, and possibly non-linked effects that respond similarly to exposure. Although the Comet assay showed enhanced sensitivity, the two analyses are complementary and suitable for the biomonitoring of sediment contaminants in a benthic species like S. senegalensis.     

Comparison of grain size correction procedures for organic micropollutants and heavy metals in marine sediments

Four grain size correction procedures were tested for their applicability for comparing concentrations of heavy metals and organic micropollutants (PCBs, PAHs) in sediments. A simple and straightforward procedure proved best: wet sieving of fresh sediment, isolating and analysing the < 63 m grain size fraction and expressing the pollutant concentration as a proportion of the fraction's dry weight. The total analytical errors, expressed as the variation coefficient of the average concentrations, were 3.8–7.6% for heavy metals, 12–24% for PCBs and 5.3–9.9% for PAHs.     

Behaviour of selected PCBs,PAHs and γ-HCH in the Scheldt estuary,S.W. Netherlands

The behaviour of some organic micropollutants in the abiotic compartments water, particulate matter and bottom sediments of the Scheldt estuary, S.W. Netherlands, was studied between 1986 and 1989. Special attention was given to two individual PolyChlorinated Biphenyl congeners (PCB 52 and PCB 153), two Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene and γ-HCH. Dissolved PCBs and γ-HCH behave conservatively during estuarine mixing. The concentration of γ-HCH in the fresh-water is extremely high in spring compared to the other seasons. Dissolved fluoranthene does not behave conservatively. The concentration of dissolved fluoranthene in the freshwater endmember shows a seasonal dependence with highest concentrations in winter and lowest in summer. Benzo(a)pyrene could hardly be detected in the dissolved phase with the methods used. PCBs and PAHs in particulate matter and sediments behave essentially conservatively as a result of the mixing of riverine particulates with high, and marine particulates with low organic micropollutant contents. Particulate fluoranthene is removed at low salinities under (nearly) anoxic conditions probably by microbial degradation. The rivers Scheldt and Rupel appear to be the major sources for the compounds studied. However, in particular the organic micropollutant contents of the sediments indicate that important emissions along the estuary were or are still present. Measurements of individual PCBs and PAHs in the <63 μm fraction of a dated sediment core from a salt marsh in the eastern part of the Scheldt estuary show that the recent input of PCBs and PAHs into the estuaryis probably 2–3 times lower than the maximum input in the mid-1960s. The PCB profile shows postdepositional congener-selective mobilization caused by advective transport. The PAH assemblage is remarkably uniform in the sediment core. The PAH ratios indicate that combustion of coal is the main source of PAHs in the Scheldt estuary.     

Quantitative analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine insecticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated hydrocarbons and polynitrohydrocarbons in spiked samples of soil, water and plasma by selected-ion monitoring gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A broad range of pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated hydrocarbons (PCHs), polynitrohydrocarbons (PNHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine (OCs) insecticides were simultaneously analyzed in spiked soil, water or plasma samples by using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Water and plasma samples containing the pollutants were extracted by a solid-phase extraction (SPE) method using florisil columns. The soil samples, fortified with the toxicants, were extracted with water, methanol or dichloromethane (DCM). The water extract was processed by the SPE method. The methanol and DCM samples were dried, dissolved in acetonitrile and subjected to the SPE extraction. The extracted samples were analyzed by GC–MS programmed to monitor selected ions. The deuterium labelled compounds were used as the internal standards. The chromatographic profile of total ions indicated complete separation of some compounds such as isophorone, naphthalene, all PCBs, most OC insecticides and PNHs; high M_r PAHs and some PCHs were partially or incompletely separated. The chromatographic profile of individual ion indicated good separation of each ion. The minimum detection limit ranged from 1 to 4 pg injected when 1 or 2 ions were monitored or from 20 to 200 pg injected when 20 ions were monitored. The SPE method that provided 60–105% recovery of pollutants from water samples, provided only 2–60% recovery from plasma samples. This may be due to the binding of pollutants to plasma proteins. Water recovered 1–30%, while methanol or DCM recovered 65–100% of the pollutants added to the soil samples. The use of internal standards corrected for the loss of pollutants from plasma or soil.     

Enhanced Degradation of a Mixture of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by a Defined Microbial Consortium in a Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactor

Biological treatment methods are effective at destroying polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and some of the highest rates of PAH degradation have been achieved using two-phase-partitioning bioreactors (TPPBs). TPPBs consist of a cell-containing aqueous phase and a biocompatible and immiscible organic phase that partitions toxic and/or recalcitrant substrates to the cells based on their metabolic demand and on maintaining the thermodynamic equilibrium of the system. In this study, the degradation of a 5-component mixture of high and low molecular weight PAHs by a defined microbial consortium of Sphingomonas aromaticivorans B0695 and Sphingomonas paucimobilis EPA505 in a TPPB was examined. The extremely low aqueous solubilities of the high molecular weight (HMW) PAHs significantly reduce their bioavailability to cells, not only in the environment, but in TPPBs as well. That is, in the two-phase system, the originally selected solvent, dodecane, was found to sequester the HMW PAHs from the cells in the aqueous phase due to the inherent high solubility of the hydrophobic compounds in this solvent. To circumvent this limitation, the initial PAH concentrations in dodecane were increased to sufficient levels in the aqueous phase to support degradation: LMW PAHs (naphthalene, phenanthrene) and fluoranthene were degraded completely in 8 h, while the HMW PAHs, pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene, were degraded by 64% and 11%, at rates of 42.9 mg l⁻¹ d⁻¹ and 7.5 mg l⁻¹ d⁻¹, respectively. Silicone oil has superior PAH partitioning abilities compared to dodecane for the HMW PAHs, and was used to improve the extent of degradation for the PAH mixture. Although silicone oil increased the bioavailability of the HMW PAHs and greater extents of biodegradation were observed, the rates of degradation were lower than that obtained in the TPPB employing dodecane.     

Assessing the Mutagenic Potential of Surface Sediments from Beijing Guanting Reservoir to Salmonella typhimurium

Mutagenicity of organic extracts from Beijing Guanting Reservoir sediments was investigated with TA98 and TA100 of Salmonella typhimurium. TA98 and TA100 were employed to detect frameshift mutation and base-pair substitution mutation, respectively. For TA100, no positive result was found, while TA98 was more sensitive and pro-mutagenic frameshift mutagens were mainly detected in sediments. Sediments from northern and southern Guanting Reservoir were at potential mutagenic risk. No mutagenicity was found in the sediments from the entrance of the tributaries, but strong mutagenicity was observed in the sediments from the outlet of the reservoir. Chemical analysis was also performed, and poor correlation was found between mutagenicity and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). However, significant positive correlation was found for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (r = 0.603–0.946), which showed that PAHs were dominated for the tested mutagenicity in the sediments. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) might induce mutagenicity or promote the mutagenicity of other substances.     

An Integrated Case Study for Evaluating the Impacts of an Oil Refinery Effluent on Aquatic Biota in the Delaware River: Introduction,Study Approach,and Objectives

This is the first in a series of article presenting results from a case study designed to assess the impacts of an oil refinery effluent [primarily polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)] on aquatic biota in the Delaware River. During the course of the study, the oil refinery was owned by Motiva Enterprises LLC. This article provides background information on the study area, the study approach and objectives. The specific objectives of this multiyear study were to: (1) measure water column concentrations of PAHs and other contaminants (i.e., metals) in Motiva's effluent and intake canal and selected Delaware River sites; (2) assess fate and transport issues associated with the Refinery effluent; (3) characterize sediment PAHs, total organic carbon (TOC), and grain size distributions in the discharge canal, near-field, mid-field and far-field areas of the Refinery to aid in the selection of Triad sample sites (including reference areas); (4) conduct Triad studies (chemical characterizations, sediment toxicity assessments, and benthic community characterizations) at selected study sites during the spring and summer of 2001 and 2002; (5) perform fingerprinting of PAHs in Motiva's effluent to differentiate Motiva-related PAHs in sediment and biota from other sources; (6) assess bioavailability of PAHs, PCBs, and metals by using resident bivalve studies; (7) conduct long-term coring to determine potential impact of past non-complying discharges; and (8) integrate and analyze all study components to address the research goals. The results from objectives 1, 2, and 3 are briefly summarized in this series of articles whereas the other five objectives are the subject of the various papers presented in this volume.     

Ecological Risk Assessment Paradigm for Salmon: Analyzing Immune Function to Evaluate Risk

Wild Pacific salmon populations are in serious decline, and as a result, a number of salmon stocks are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Our research identifies and supports the possibility that certain environmental contaminants can alter salmon survival, and as a result may contribute to these species being at risk. We have shown that juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) are exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as they migrate through a contaminated urban estuary in Puget Sound WA (the Duwamish Waterway estuary). Immune function was analyzed in these fish by examining the ability of their anterior kidney and splenic leukocytes to produce a primary and secondary in vitro plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to the hapten, trinitrophenyl (TNP), and by determining their susceptibility to a marine pathogen, Vibrio anguillarum. We found that fish outmigrating from the urban estuary produced a significantly lower PFC response to TNP and were more susceptible to the pathogen, compared to juvenile salmon collected from a rural estuary during their outmigration. In the laboratory, we exposed juvenile chinook salmon collected from a hatchery to either a PCB technical mixture or a PAH compound to determine if these contaminants have the potential to alter immune function in salmon. Indeed, we found that salmon exposed in the laboratory to either the PCB mixture or the PAH also produced lower PFC responses and were more susceptible to disease compared to animals treated with the solvent vehicle. In summary, contaminants such as PAHs and PCBs are demonstrated to influence salmon health, and thus have the potential to adversely impact salmon populations.     

Study of the biological impact of organic contaminants on mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis L.) from the Venice Lagoon,Italy: responses of CYP1A-immunopositive protein and benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase activity

A survey to evaluate the impact of organic contaminants on the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in the Venice Lagoon, Italy was carried out in May 1993. M. galloprovincialis were sampled from putative moderately contaminated (Alberoni, Lio Grande, Crevan), urban (Salute) and industrial (CVE) sites in the Venice Lagoon, and from a clean reference site (Plataforma) in the adjacent Adriatic Sea. Measurements comprised (i) whole-tissue body burdens of aliphatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other organochlorines (DDTs, hexachlorocyclohexanes and hexachlorobenzene); and (ii) digestive gland microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent monooxygenase system (i.e. total CYP and cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A)-immunopositive protein levels, benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase (BPH) activity) as a specific biomarker of impact by organic contaminants. Chemical analysis identified a contaminant gradient with Plataforma as the cleanest and CVE followed by Salute as the most contaminated extremes. No elevation of total CYP content or CYP1A-immunopositive protein level was seen at any of the lagoon sites compared with Plataforma. In contrast, BPH activity and BPH turnover (i.e. BPH activity per amount total CYP) were respectively 1- and 2.5-fold higher at CVE than Plataforma (P &lt; 0.05), and indicated to be higher (up to 1-fold) at all the other lagoon sites compared with Plataforma. Correlation was seen between BPH activity and tissue levels of total aliphatic hydrocarbons (r = 0.94-0.98), but not between the former and total PAHs or PCBs. The results are consistent with other studies in the area and indicate greatest biological impact of contaminants was at CVE followed by the other lagoon sites, with a possible genotoxic role for the elevated BPH activity in the formation of bulky DNA-adducts.     

Potential of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and pea (Pisum sativum) for remediation of soils contaminated with bromides and PAHs

The aim of the research was to study a removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phytoextraction of bromine (Br) from contaminated soils. The experiments using pea and wheat seedlings as potential candidates for soil remediation were performed. The soil for the experiments was collected from a site slightly contaminated by some PAHs. Before planting, the soil was exposed to 20 mg of Br/kg of soil. In the soil taken from rhizosphere of pea and wheat, the concentrations of many PAHs decreased up to 7 times compared to the concentrations of the compounds in the initial soil. Pea was capable of more effectively influencing the soil PAHs than wheat. The growth of pea and wheat in the soil spiked with Br resulted in a significant increase of Br concentration in a plant. Concentration of Br in roots of pea and wheat increased 21 and 3 times, respectively. Bromine content in leaves of wheat and pea increased 10 and 4.5 times. This accumulation of Br in the plants led to a decrease of its concentration in the rhizosphere soil. The experimental results demonstrated a good ability of the plants to cleanup the soils contaminated with organic and inorganic compounds.     

Evaluation of the Soil Contamination of Tangier (Morocco) by the Determination of BTEX,PCBs, and PAHs

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), twelve polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and seven polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), were selected as pollutants to evaluate the contamination of soils in the urban and industrial areas of Tangier (Morocco). PAHs and PCBs were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) after a microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) clean-up. BTEX were directly determined by head-space GC-MS. Results obtained in this study show the presence of high levels of BTEX and PAHs in the soil near the urban waste deposit. However, the analysis of pollutants in the other sampling sites provided comprehensive evidence that soils of Tangier city are not contaminated.