Seasonal variation of selected hydrocarbons, pesticides, and PCBs in Crassostrea-virginica in Galveston Bay.

Date

1987

Authors

Fox, R.G.
Wade, T.L.
Atlas, E.L.
Kennicutt, M.C. II
Brooks, J.M.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

American Chemical Society

Abstract

Concentrations of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in oysters were determined seasonally by sampling three stations at four sites in Galveston Bay (Texas). The four sites were Houston Yacht Club, Todd's Dump, Confederate Reef, and Hanna Reef. The individual polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons measured were naphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene, 1-methylnaphthalene, biphenyl, 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, 1-methylphenanthrene, fluoranthrene, pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(e)pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene, perylene, and dibenz(a,h)anthracene. Pyrene had the single highest value at 537 ppb, while dibenz(a,h)anthracene was never above the limit of the quantitation (LOQ = 20 ppb). Each analyte was below the LOQ in at least one sample. Fluoranthrene had the highest mean concentration over the entire study at 129 ppb. The mean concentration of 1-methylnaphthalene, biphenyl, 2,6-dimethyl-naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, anthracene, benz(a)anthracene, benzo(e)pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene, perylene, and dibenz(a,h)anthracene were all below the LOQ. Total polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons ranged from 1483 ppb to 117 ppb with an overall mean value of 521 ppb. Houston Yacht Club and Confederate Reef showed the highest loads of total polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, while Todd's Dump and Hanna Reef were much lower. The two more contaminated sites had finite variations in total analyte concentration within the four sampling times. Confederate Reef oysters were very high in total polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons during the cold months and somewhat lower during the warmer months. Houston Yacht Club showed this effect to a lesser extent. Todd's Dump and Hanna Reef total aromatic concentrations were less seasonal.

Description

n.p.

Keywords

Crassostrea virginica, oyster reefs, oysters, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), hydrocarbons, pollution effects, naphthalene, pollutants, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Citation