Characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Great Lakes Basin using dreissenid mussels

Abstract

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Mussel Watch Program (MWP), conducts basin-wide monitoring and place-based assessments using dreissenid mussels as bioindicators of chemical contamination in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) body burden results for the period 2009–2018 were combined into one dataset from multiple MWP studies allowing for a robust characterization of PAH contamination. Patterns in PAH data were identified using descriptive statistics and machine learning techniques. Relationships between total PAH concentration in dreissenid mussel tissue, impervious surface percentages, and PAH relative concentration were identified and used to build a predictive model for the Great Lakes Basin. Significant positive correlation was identified by the Spearman’s rank correlation test between total PAH concentration and percent impervious surface. The findings support the paradigm that PAHs are primarily derived from land-based sources. Offshore and riverine locations had the lowest and highest median total PAH concentrations, respectively. PAH assemblages and ratios indicated that pyrogenic sources were more predominant than petrogenic sources and that PAHs at offshore sites exhibited relatively more weathering compared to inshore sites.

Assessing the Ecological Risks of Per‐ and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: Current State‐of‐the Science and a Proposed Path Forward

“…Incorporating PFAS analysis into these programs would provide a systematic assessment of PFAS distribution and concentrations that go beyond the various regional analyses already conducted (Bradley et al 2018; Boone et al 2019). Analogously, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Status and Trends Mussel Watch Program has monitored contaminants in mussel tissues across coastal areas of the United States including Chesapeake Bay (Apeti et al 2018) and the Great Lakes (Kimbrough et al 2018). The program started in 1986 and has archived mussel samples that could be valuable for determining historical trends in PFAS concentrations.…”

Untargeted Metabolomics Analyses and Contaminant Chemistry of Dreissenid Mussels at the Maumee River Area of Concern in the Great Lakes

“…In particular, the antidepressant sertraline contributed to almost half of the total PPCP concentration found at WWTP OUTFALL-LEMR-01. These levels were higher than the concentrations measured in the dreissenid mussel tissue sampled at that approximate location in June 2015 (101 ng/g ww in 2016 vs 61.7 ng/g ww in 2015) . In aquatic invertebrates, environmentally relevant concentrations of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, such as sertraline, have been shown to impact behavior, defense mechanisms, attachment to substrate, development, and reproduction .…”

“…Total PAHs (from 81 measured analytes) in mussel tissue remain high (1.6 μg/g dry weight) compared to Mussel Watch data from 2009 to 2018, which presented 2.79 μg/g dry weight as a high concentration for total PAHs (65 analytes) in the Great Lakes . Similarly, these elevated concentrations were found at the riverine and inshore sites.…”

“…47 Total PAHs (from 81 measured analytes) in mussel tissue remain high (1.6 μg/g dry weight) compared to Mussel Watch data from 2009 to 2018, which presented 2.79 μg/g dry weight as a high concentration for total PAHs (65 analytes) in the Great Lakes. 38 Similarly, these elevated concentrations were found at the riverine and inshore sites. The PAHs measured at WWTP OUTFALL-LEMR-01 are concerning since caged mussels in PAH contaminated areas have been associated with oxidative stress, detoxification, and DNA damage.…”

Risk‐Based Prioritization of Organic Chemicals and Locations of Ecological Concern in Sediment From Great Lakes Tributaries

“…Paul, Minnesota (Crane, 2019). An assessment of 237 chemicals in mussels around the Great Lakes reported that 4‐nonylphenol was one of only five chemicals, along with 4‐nonylphenol monoethoxylate and 4‐nonylphenol diethoxylate, present at all sampling locations ( n = 32; Kimbrough et al, 2018).…”