Heavy Metal, Organochlorine Pesticide and Polychlorinated Biphenyl Contamination in Arctic Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus Parryi) in Northern Alaska

Heavy metal and organochlorine (OC) concentrations including organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (PCBs), were determined in arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryi) from three sites in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska in 1991-93. Heavy metals were present in most squirrel livers collected, with concentrations of trace elements (As, Cd, Hg, Ni, and Pb) averaging below 1 micro g/g wet weight. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), p,p'-DDE, gamma hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH), trans-nonachlor, and PCBs 138, 153, and 170 were the most frequently detected OCs in fat and liver. Average concentrations of individual OC analytes were below 20 ng/g wet weight in liver and below 15 ng/g wet weight in fat. Rank correlations indicate that concentrations of heavy metals and of OCs accumulate in concert with one another (As, Cd, Cu, and Zn; PCBs 138, 170, and 180). Although heavy metal and OC concentrations are low relative to other areas and other arctic species, the occurrence of these compounds illustrates the global pervasiveness of persistent organic compounds and the potential for bioaccumulation in the terrestrial arctic food web.De 1991 à 1993, on a mesuré les concentrations en métaux lourds et en organochlorés, y compris des pesticides organochlorés et des congénères du diphényle polychloré (PCB), chez le spermophile arctique (Spermophilus parryi) à trois endroits situés dans la chaîne de Brooks de l'Alaska septentrional. On a trouvé des métaux lourds dans la plupart des foies de spermophiles prélevés, avec des concentrations en éléments traces (As, Cd, Hg, Ni et Pb) inférieures en moyenne à 1 µg/g de poids frais. L'hexachlorobenzène (HCB), le p,p'-DDE, l'hexachlorocyclohexane gamma (HCH-gamma), le trans-nonachlore et les PCB 138, 153 et 170 étaient les organochlorés les plus fréquemment détectés dans le tissu adipeux et le foie. Les concentrations moyennes des organochlorés analysés individuellement étaient inférieures à 20 ng/g de poids frais pour le foie et à 15 ng/g de poids frais pour le tissu adipeux. Les corrélations de rang révèlent que les concentrations en métaux lourds augmentent de concert avec celles en organochlorés (As, Cd, Cu et Zn; PCB 138, 170 et 180). Bien que les concentrations en métaux lourds et en organochlorés soient faibles par rapport à celles d'autres régions et à celles d'autres espèces arctiques, la présence de ces composés illustre l'omniprésence planétaire de composés organiques persistants et le potentiel pour une accumulation biologique dans le réseau trophique terrestre de l'Arctique

Short-Term Toxicity of 1-Methylnaphthalene to Americamysis bahia and 5 Deep-Sea Crustaceans

There are few studies that have evaluated hydrocarbon toxicity to vertically migrating deep-sea micronekton. Crustaceans were collected alive using a 9-m2 Tucker trawl with a thermally insulated cod end and returned to the laboratory in 10 °C seawater. Toxicity of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon 1-methylnaphthalene to Americamysis bahia, Janicella spinacauda, Systellaspis debilis, Sergestes sp., Sergia sp., and a euphausiid species was assessed in a constant exposure toxicity test utilizing a novel passive dosing toxicity testing protocol. The endpoint of the median lethal concentration tests was mortality, and the results revealed high sensitivity of the deep-sea micronekton compared with other species for which these data are available. Threshold concentrations were also used to calculate critical target lipid body burdens using the target lipid model

Hot Spots for Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Sediments and Benthic Organisms in the Coastal Water of Qatar

The state of Qatar has a strategic location within the heart of the Arabian Gulf, the richest oil area in the world. Its extensive coastline (700 km) is experiencing some of the most radical environmental conditions in the world's oceans including extreme temperature, high UV irradiance as well as high evaporations. These extreme conditions are pushing many marine biota to function close to their physiological limits. On the top of the extreme natural hydrographic conditions, there are tremendous stress exerted by oil exploration, production and transportation and probably any remnants from the largest oil spills in history, during the Gulf war in 1991. The present study is the first comprehensive study in the Gulf that is designed to assess the spatial and temporal variability of levels of Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments of the Qatari coastal water and their bioaccumulation by dominant benthic invertebrates. Sediments and dominants benthic organisms samples were collected seasonally from thirteen locations in the coastal water of Qatar starting in the winter of 2014 and for four consequent seasons. Ten abundant benthic invertebrate species representing different trophic levels were selected to assess the spatial and temporal variability of PAHs in the Qatar costal water. These species have limited or no mobility, a major criteria for selecting benthic organisms in bio-monitoring programs. These species included gastropods, bivalves, and crustaceans with different trophic positions including carnivores, omnivores, herbivores and detritivores. Samples were analyzed for 16 parent PAHs including low molecular weight parent PAHs (LPAHS) and high molecular weight parent PAHs (HPAHs), 18 alkyl homologs and dibenzothiophenes. The results of the present study will be used for ecological risks assessment. Levels of PAHs in sediments and tissue residues are found to be significantly variable with species, locations, seasons and also with distance from shore (P < 0.05). PAHs concentrations in sediments is negatively correlated with the water temperature (r = ? 0.65) indicating the impact of temperature and probably levels of UV radiations on the fate of PAHs. Levels of PAHs in sediments indicated the presence of few moderately contaminated sites near point sources. Concentrations of PAHs in sediments showed wide spatial and temporal range (5 8.5%) presenting a range of trophic levels including carnivores and filter feeders. Significant correlations (P < 0.05) were found between PAHs tissue residues concentrations and signatures of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes emphasizing the roles of trophic pathways on the uptake and bioaccumulation levels of individual PAHs in marine invertebrates. The present results are to be supported by more samples from two more seasons. The knowledge from this study intended to assist PAHs monitoring and identification of potential sources to guide management decisions. The outcome of the study is expected to help the regulatory agency (Qatar Ministry of Environment) as well as Gulf organizations such as ROPME to improve environmental laws and set standards based on these studies.qscienc

PBDE levels in franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei):Temporal trend and geographical comparison

Total PBDE concentrations determined in archived blubber samples from franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) unintentionally captured in the Brazilian coastal region off Rio Grande do Sul State (FMA III) between 1994 and 2004 (n = 73) ranged from 7.9 to 65 ng g−1 lipid weight in mature males, with an increase over the ten-year period. Total PBDE concentrations in blubber samples collected from the FAM II (n = 41) between 2002 and 2005 were higher (67.8 to 763.7 ng g−1 lw) than those from FMA III. This is possibly due to the proximity to important industrial development sites in the state of São Paulo. Despite the differences in total concentrations, PBDE profiles were comparable and the PBDE concentrations decreased in the following order BDE 47 N BDE99 N BDE 100 for both FMA and for males and females as well as adults, juveniles and pup

Temporal and spatial patterns of anthropogenic disturbance at McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Human visitations to Antarctica have increased in recent decades, raising concerns about preserving the continent's environmental quality. To understand the spatial and temporal patterns of anthropogenic disturbances at the largest scientific station in Antarctica, McMurdo Station, a long-term monitoring program has been implemented. Results from the first nine years (1999–2007) of monitoring are reported. Most physical disturbance of land surfaces occurred prior to 1970 during initial establishment of the station. Hydrocarbons from fuel and anthropogenic metals occur in patches of tens to hundreds of square meters in areas of fuel usage and storage. Most soil contaminant concentrations are not expected to elicit biological responses. Past disposal practices have contaminated marine sediments with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), petroleum hydrocarbons, and metals in close proximity to the station that often exceed concentrations expected to elicit biological responses. Chemical contamination and organic enrichment reduced marine benthic ecological integrity within a few hundred meters offshore of the station. Contaminants were detected in marine benthic organisms confirming bioavailability and uptake. PCBs in sediments are similar to suspected source materials, indicating minimal microbial degradation decades after release. Anthropogenic disturbance of the marine environment is likely to persist for decades. A number of monitoring design elements, indicators and methodologies used in temperate climates were effective and provide guidance for monitoring programs elsewhere in Antarctica.Publishe

Effect of field exposure to 38-year-old residual petroleum hydrocarbons on growth, condition index, and filtration rate of the ribbed mussel, Geukensia demissa

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2007. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Elsevier B.V. for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Environmental Pollution 154 (2008): 312-319, doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2007.10.008.In September 1969, the Florida barge spilled 700,000 L of No. 2 fuel oil into the salt marsh sediments of Wild Harbor, MA. Today a substantial amount, approximately 100 kg, of moderately degraded petroleum remains within the sediment and along eroding creek banks. The ribbed mussels, Geukensia demissa, which inhabit the salt marsh creek bank, are exposed to the spilled oil. Examination of short-term exposure was done with transplantation of G. demissa from a control site, Great Sippewissett marsh, into Wild Harbor. We examined the effects of long-term exposure with transplantation of mussels from Wild Harbor into Great Sippewissett. Both the short- and long-term exposure transplants exhibited slower growth rates, shorter mean shell lengths, lower condition indices, and decreased filtration rates. Our results add new knowledge about long-term consequences of spilled oil, a dimension that should be included when assessing oil-impacted areas and developing management plans designed to restore, rehabilitate, or replace impacted areas.This work is the result of research sponsored by NOAA National Sea Grant College Program Office, Department of Commerce, under Grant No. NA16RG2273, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sea Grant Project No. R/P-73. Additional support was provided by funding from the NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates program, award 0453292, an Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award (N00014-04-01-0029) to C. Reddy

Analyses of Water Samples From the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Documentation of the Subsurface Plume

Surface and subsurface water samples were collected in the vicinity of the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) wellhead in the Gulf of Mexico. Samples were extracted with dichloromethane and analyzed for a toxic component, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), using total scanning fluorescence (TSF) and by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). An aliquot of fresh, floating oil from a surface sample was used as a DWH oil reference standard. Twelve of 19 samples collected from 24 May 2010 to 6 June 2010 on the R/V Walton Smith cruise contained TSF maximum intensities above background (0.7 µg L À1 based on 1 L sample size). These 12 samples had total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentrations as measured by quantitative gas chromatography flame ionization detector (FID) ranging from 2 to 442 µg L À1 . Quantitative GC/MS analysis of these 12 samples resulted in total PAH concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 59 µg L À1 . Low molecular weight, more water-soluble naphthalene and alkylated naphthalene dominated the PAH composition patterns for 11 of the 12 water samples. Sample 12 exhibited substantially reduced concentrations of naphthalenes relative to other PAH compounds. The total PAH concentrations were positively correlated (R 2 = 0.80) with the TSF maximum intensity (MI). TSF is a simple, rapid technique providing an accurate prediction of the amount of PAH present in a sample. TSFderived estimates of the relative contribution of PAH present in the oil provided evidence that PAH represented~10% of the higher molecular weight TPH. The subsurface oil plume was confirmed by the analyses of discrete water samples for TSF, TPH, and PAH

PCDD/Fs in sediments of Central Vietnam coastal lagoons: In search of TCDD

Samples from nine Central Vietnam coastal lagoons, together with three soils and sediments collected in 24 two freshwater reservoirs of the Thua Thien-Hué province, were analysed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p- 25 dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). Total concentrations are low, from 192 to 2912 pg g1 and depth 26 profiles in Tam Giang-Cau Hai (TG-CH) sediment cores show only minor changes over time in PCDD/F 27 input and composition. Octachloro dibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) is the prevailing congener (approximately 28 90%), indicating combustion as the main PCDD/F source to these coastal systems, whereas natural forma- 29 tion might be partly responsible for the presence at depth. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachloro dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 30 largely sprayed together with Agent Orange over the study areas during the war (1961–1971), is absent 31 or very low. This result supports the hypothesis of strong degradation soon after spraying. Multivariate 32 statistical analyses account for the presence of local, short-range sources as observed in the northern part 33 of the TG-CH lagoon