NOAA Gulf of Mexico Status and Trends Program: Trace Organic Contaminant Distribution in Sediments and Oysters

Trace Organic Contaminants (PAHS, PCBs, and Pesticides) in Oysters Crassostrea virginica, from the Caloosahatchee Estuary and Estero Bay, SW Florida.

“…Samples which were designated as "not quantifiable" (NQ) contained excessive lipid interferences in the chromatography which precluded confirmation of PAH compound identity. In general, the range of tPAH concentrations in oyster tissue from both sites in this study are lower than that found in Gulf of Mexico oysters (WADE et al, 1988) but similar in concentration to that found in coastal waters of North and South Carolina (LAUENSTEIN et al, 2002b). Many of the PAHs detected at both sites are known to be carcinogens (e.g.…”

Sediment Contaminants of the Gulf of Mexico

“…While data have been collected over many years, variations in analytical methods, reporting methods, sampling locations, and small-scale spatial heterogeneity confound detection of trends with time. Based on data collections in the 1980s and the early 1990s it was concluded that distributions and sediment concentrations of SVOCs were similar to previously reported concentrations (Summers et al 1992(Summers et al , 1994(Summers et al , 1995Wade et al 1988). Based on NCCRs, a comparison of yearly sediment contaminant indicator ratings showed no significant temporal trend in the percent coastal area rated poor for 1991-2002 (Figure 4.18b).…”

Polychlorinated Biphenyls Contamination of Sludge in India

“…The extract was evaporated, and re-extracted with solvent, methylene chloride by subsequent addition of the surrogate standards. The extract was purified by silica/alumina column chromatography to isolate the PCB fractions [19]. The quantitative analyses of PCBs were performed by HP 5890-GC (gas chromatography) and HP 5970-MS (mass spectrometer) in the SIM mode [20].…”