Similarities in bioaccumulation patterns of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans and polychlorinated diphenyl ethers in laboratory-exposed oligochaetes and semipermeable membrane devices and in field-collected chironomids

Abstract

Sediment and chironomid samples were collected from a river in the vicinity of and downstream from a closed chlorophenol production plant, and they were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/F) and polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDE). Bioaccumulation of these compounds from the sediments by the oligochaeta, Lumbriculus variegatus, and semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) was studied in a 28-d bioaccumulation test. The sum concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PCDEs in sediments varied spatially, peaking at the site below the production plant, but the congener composition remained fairly constant throughout the river. The sum concentrations of chironomids, oligochaetes, and SPMDs all varied independently of sediment concentrations. Both invertebrates accumulated more PCDEs, whereas PCDD/Fs dominated in sediments and SPMDs. Despite the variable sum concentrations, similarities were observed in concentrations and compositions of individual congeners. A significant correlation was found between sediments and oligochaetes, and between oligochaetes and chironomids, for both PCDD/Fs and PCDEs. These results suggest that bioaccumulation of PCDD/Fs and PCDEs in invertebrates is nonselective. Furthermore, the laboratory bioaccumulation tests seem to yield relevant results. The SPMDs were found to give good predictions of the PCDD/F concentrations of sediments and oligochaetes. For PCDEs, the estimates were slightly poorer, but still useful for preliminary concentration assessments.

Bioavailability of Sediment-Associated PCDD/Fs and PCDEs: Relative Importance of Contaminant and Sediment Characteristics and Biological Factors

“…When comparing congener composition and concentrations between oligochaetes and SPMDs, a significant correlation was observed between them for both PCDD/Fs (r ) 0.90, p < 0.05) and PCDEs (r ) 0.70, p < 0.05) (26). Still, oligochaetes accumulated considerably higher concentrations of PCDEs than SPMDs.…”

Passive sampling methods for contaminated sediments: State of the science for organic contaminants

“…Passive samplers based on triolein‐filled low‐density PE tubes, also known as semipermeable membrane devices (Huckins et al ; Leppänen and Kukkonen ; Lyytikäinen et al ), were first developed for overlying water, but they have been used in sediments to a limited extent. One of the main reasons for the limited use of semipermeable membrane devices in solid matrices was the relatively long exposure time required for target HOCs to reach equilibrium between the triolein‐filled PE tube and the matrix, which led to other issues, such as biofouling.…”

A comparison of the bioaccumulation potential of three freshwater organisms exposed to sediment-associated contaminants under laboratory conditions

“…The assumptions of the EqP model may not have been met, in that the contaminant has not reached steadystate in the organisms. However, studies by Loonen et al [39] and Lyytikäinen et al [40] using L. variegatus have shown that 28-d laboratory tests provide ecologically relevant data that approximates steady-state conditions for most dioxin and furan congeners. Opperhuizen and Sijm [31] and Lyytikäinen et al [41] have suggested that hydrophobicity alone does not predict the bioaccumulation potential of PCDD/Fs, but that steric factors, such as molecular size and conformation (planarity), as well as sediment characteristics influence bioavailability.…”