浙江省部分地区河塘鲫鱼中二恶英、多氯联苯污染研究

目的:对浙江省5个地区河塘鲫鱼中的二恶英、多氯联苯污染特征进行研究.方法:鲫鱼肌肉经冷冻干燥后,加人同位素内标,以加速溶剂萃取,再经凝胶色谱、多层硅胶柱和氧化铝柱净化,用高分辨气相色谱高分辨质谱联用同位素内标法测定鲫鱼中的二恶英和多氯联苯残留.结果:5个地区鲫鱼中二恶英的浓度范围为0.580～19.619 pg/g w.w,平均浓度为5.246 pg/gw.w;多氯联苯的浓度范围为149.03～57304.7 pg/gw.W,除路桥外,其它4个地区的多氯联苯平均浓度为1521.6 pg/g w.w;二恶英的毒性当量为0.05～3.75 Pg/g w.w,多氯联苯的毒性当量为0.03～35.5 pg/g w.w,总的毒性当量为0.23～39.25 pg/g w.w.结论:根据世界卫生组织的规定,以总毒性当量为基础,对浙江省5个地区的人群由鱼类消费引起的二恶英、多氯联苯暴露量进行评估,除路桥地区高于世界卫生组织的规定外,其它4个地区均低于规定.     

浙江省部分地区淡水鱼中多氯联苯污染研究

目的：研究浙江省部分地区淡水鱼中多氯联苯污染水平。方法：淡水鱼组织经冷冻干燥后，加入同位素内标，以加速溶剂萃取，再经凝胶色谱、多层硅胶柱和氧化铝柱净化，用高分辨气相色谱高分辨质谱联用同位素内标法测定淡水鱼中的指示PCB残留。结果：鲫鱼、鲢鱼组织中的指示性多氯联苯浓度范围分别为150～1757pg／g湿重和48～524pg／g湿重：结论：两种鱼中鲫鱼的PCB污染水平要比鲢鱼高。     

浙江省海产品中共平面多氯联苯污染研究

目的：研究浙江省海产品中共平面多氯联苯的污染水平。方法：海产品经冷冻干燥后,加入同位素内标,经玻璃柱萃取,再经凝胶色谱、酸碱硅胶柱和氧化铝柱净化,用高分辨气相色谱-高分辨磁质谱联用同位素内标法测定海产品中的共平面多氯联苯残留。结果：淡菜、小黄鱼组织中的共平面多氯联苯浓度范围分别为0.31 pg/g干重（PCB-169）～134.38 pg/g干重（PCB-118）和1.18 pg/g干重（PCB-169）～1 335.49 pg/g干重（PCB-118）。毒性当量分别为0.38～0.92 pg/g干重和1.04～2.07 pg/g干重（WHO-TEQ-98）。结论：淡菜、小黄鱼体内共平面多氯联苯各单体均被检出,检出浓度低于欧盟制定的限量标准（1.0 pgWHO-TEQ/g）。     

某固体废物拆解基地环境中类二(口恶)英多氯联苯污染水平分析

目的了解某废旧变压器、电容器拆解基地环境中类二噁英多氯联苯（dioxin-likePCBs,DL-PCBs）的污染水平及其分布情况。方法于2005年12月,采集该地区空气、大气颗粒相、河水、土壤、蔬菜等样品,并对样品进行提取、净化,采用同位素内标法、高分辨气相色谱-高分辨双聚焦磁式质谱联用仪（HRGC-HRMS）测定样品中DL-PCBs的含量。结果拆解场及周边空气中DL-PCBs浓度为4031.77－4942.34pg/m^3,TEQ为1.832－2.666pg/m^3;大气颗粒相中DL-PCBs浓度为325.45－3499.77pg/m^3,TEQ为0.3709－1.5363pg/m^3;土壤中DL-PCBs含量为2316.59－19100.30pg/g干重,TEQ为1.358－15.264pg/g干重;水中DL-PCBs浓度为5.731－237.640ng/L,TEQ为2.585－73.046pg/L;蔬菜中DL-PCBs含量为1078.45－1620.04pg/g湿重,TEQ为0.7783－1.1262pg/g湿重。在空气、大气颗粒相、土壤、水、蔬菜样品中,PCB-118的含量均为最高;PCB-126的TEQ最高。在无邻位PCBs中,PCB-77的含量最高;在单邻位PCBs中,PCB-118的含量最高,其次是PCB-105、PCB-156和PCB-167。除PCB-169在空气样品中未被检出外,12种同族异构体在空气、大气颗粒相、土壤、水、蔬菜样品中均被检出。结论该地区自然环境受到DL-PCBs的严重污染,并已转入至蔬菜中。建议今后开展DL-PCBs对该地区人群的健康影响及对食品的污染状况的研究。     

2007年北京市居民母乳中二噁英类化合物负荷水平调查

目的 调查北京地区居民母乳中多氯代苯并二噁英和多氯代苯并呋喃(PCDD/Fs)和二噁英样多氯联苯(dl-PCBs)的污染水平,评价一般人群PCDD/Fs和dl-PCBs的机体负荷状况.方法 2007年在北京市11个区、县中采集母乳样品110份,制成11个混合样品后,采用同位素稀释技术以高分辨气相色谱-高分辨质谱(HRGC-HRMS)测定母乳样品中的PCDD/Fs和dl-PCBs.结果 北京市母乳样品中二噁英类化合物含量最高的组分为八氯代二苯并二噁英(OCDD)和多氯联苯(PCB)-118、PCB-105,其含量中位数分别为20.6 pg/g脂肪、4.07和1.63 ng/g脂肪.按毒性当量(TEQ)计,北京市11个母乳混合样品中总二噁英类化合物含量中位数为7.4 pg TEQ/g脂肪;最高的为通州区,含量中位数为13.5 pg TEQ/g脂肪;最低的为平谷区,为4.3 pg TEQ/g脂肪.结论 目前北京市母乳中PCDD/Fs和dl-PCBs处于较低水平,但随着我国的快速工业化,人群此类物质的机体负荷水平有可能会上升,因此有必要持续跟踪监测.     

固体废弃物拆解区农作物及家禽类二噁英多氯联苯污染水平研究

目的了解某固体废弃物拆解区类二噁英多氯联苯(DL-PCBs)的生物污染水平及其分布状况。方法于2008年12月至2009年1月采集浙江沿海某镇地产稻谷、鸡、鸭等样品,并对样品进行提取、净化,采用同位素内标法、高分辨气相色谱-高分辨双聚焦磁式质谱联用仪测定其中DL-PCBs含量。结果稻壳中DL-PCBs含量为1 516.97~5 437.60 pg/g,TEQ为2.653 0~6.139 4 pg/g;稻米中DL-PCBs含量为195.37~712.09 pg/g,TEQ为0.220 6~0.502 9 pg/g;鸡组织中DL-PCBs含量为15 117.14~240 775.03 pg/g湿重,TEQ为9.1~558.0 pg/g湿重;鸭组织中DL-PCBs含量为2 554.00~89 515.56 pg/g湿重,TEQ为1.9~86.0 pg/g湿重。在稻壳、稻米、鸡、鸭组织样品中,PCB-118的含量均为最高,PCB-126的TEQ最高。除PCB-169在拆解场区南面的稻米中未被检出外,12种同族异构体在稻壳、稻米、鸡、鸭组织样品中均被检出。结论该地区DL-PCBs的环境污染已通过各种途径进入生物系统,并在高级食物链富集。     

某固体废物拆解基地环境中类二(口恶)英多氯联苯污染水平分析

目的 了解某废旧变压器、电容器拆解基地环境中类二(口恶)英多氯联苯(dioxin-like PCBs,DL-PCBs)的污染水平 及其分布情况.方法 于2005年12月,采集该地区空气、大气颗粒相、河水、土壤、蔬菜等样品,并对样品进行提取、净化,采用同位素内标法、高分辨气相色谱.高分辨双聚焦磁式质谱联用仪(HRGC-HRMS)测定样品中DL-PCBs的含量.结果 拆解场及周边空气中DL-PCBs浓度为4 031.77～4 942.34 pg/m3 TEQ为1.832～2.666 pg/m3;大气颗粒相中DL-PCBs浓度为325.45～3 499.77 pg/m3 TEQ为0.370 9～1.536 3 pg/m3;土壤中DL-PCBs含量为2 316.59～19 100.30 pg/g干重,TEQ为1.358～15.264 pg/g干重;水中DL-PCBs浓度为5.731～237.640 ng/L,TEQ为2.585～73.046 pg/L;蔬菜中DL-PCBs含量为1 078.45～1 620.04 pg/g湿重,TEQ为0.778 3～1.126 2 pg/g湿重.在空气、大气颗粒相、土壤、水、蔬菜样品中,PCB-118的含量均为最高;PCB-126的TEQ最高.在无邻位PCBs中,PCB-77的含量最高;在单邻位PCBs中,PCB-118的含量最高,其次是PCB-105、PCB-156和PCB-167.除PCB-169在空气样品中未被检出外,12种同族异构体在空气、大气颗粒相、土壤、水、蔬菜样品中均被检出.结论 该地区自然环境受到DL-PCBs的严重污染,并已转入至蔬菜中.建议今后开展DL-PCBs对该地区人群的健康影响及对食品的污染状况的研究.     

Pollution Level of Dioxin-like PCBs in Crops and Poultry around a Disassembly Area of Solid Industrial Wastes

目的 了解某固体废弃物拆解区类二(口恶)英多氯联苯( DL-PCBs)的生物污染水平及其分布状况.方法 于2008年12月至2009年1月采集浙江沿海某镇地产稻谷、鸡、鸭等样品,并对样品进行提取、净化,采用同位素内标法、高分辨气相色谱-高分辨双聚焦磁式质谱联用仪测定其中DL-PCBs含量.结果 稻壳中DL-PCBs含量为1 516.97-5 437.60 pg/g,TEQ为2.653 0～6.1394pg/g;稻米中DL-PCBs含量为195.37～712.09 pg/g,TEQ为0.220 6～0.502 9 pg/g;鸡组织中DL-PCBs含量为15 117.14～240 775.03 pg/g湿重,TEQ为9.1～558.0 pg/g湿重;鸭组织中DL-PGBs含量为2 554.00～89 515.56 pg/g湿重,TEQ为1.9～86.0 pg/g湿重.在稻壳、稻米、鸡、鸭组织样品中,PCB-118的含量均为最高,PCB-126的TEO最高.除PCB-169在拆解场区南面的稻米中未被检出外,12种同族异构体在稻壳、稻米、鸡、鸭组织样品中均被检出.结论 该地区DL-PCBs的环境污染已通过各种途径进入生物系统,并在高级食物链富集.     

母乳中多氯联苯的污染水平与特征研究

目的:研究母乳中多氯联苯的污染水平和特征。方法:母乳经冷冻干燥后,加入同位素内标,经索氏抽提萃取,再经凝胶色谱、酸碱硅胶柱和氧化铝柱净化,用高分辨气相色谱-高分辨磁质谱联用仪测定,同位素内标法定量分析母乳中的多氯联苯残留。结果:母乳中18种PCB的总浓度均值为23881±9718 pg/g lipid(13643～45205 pg/g lipid),毒性当量为3.56±1.06 pg/g lipid(2.92～6.31 pg/g lipid)。PCB-138(37.58%),PCB-153(19.07%),PCB-118(11.79%),PCB-180(7.70%),PCB-105(7.00%)依次是检出浓度最高的前五种单体。结论:绍兴母乳中多氯联苯的含量与国内其它报道的数据比较接近,但显著低于发达国家,推测膳食摄入是人体暴露PCBs的一个主要途径。     

湖北省某地区居民血清中多氯联苯的负荷水平调查

采用同位素稀释-高分辨气相-高分辨质谱（HRGC-HRMS）法测定湖北省某地区26名居民血清中12种二噁英类PCBs（dl-PCBs）和6种非二噁英类PCBs（ndl-PCBs）的污染水平。总dl-PCBs（Σdl-PCBs）的浓度范围为366.30~4 945.77 pg/g 脂肪,平均值为2 093.76 pg/g...     

Pentachlorophenol and hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyl metabolites in umbilical cord plasma of neonates from coastal populations in Québec

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hydroxylated metabolites of PCBs (HO-PCBs) and octachlorostyrene (4-HO-HpCS), and pentachlorophenol (PCP) were determined in umbilical cord plasma samples from three different regions of Québec. The regions studied included two coastal areas where exposure to PCBs is high because of marine-food-based diets--Nunavik (Inuit people) and the Lower North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (subsistence fishermen)--and a southern Québec urban center where PCB exposure is at background levels (Québec City). The main chlorinated phenolic compound in all regions was PCP. Concentrations of PCP were not significantly different among regions (geometric mean concentration 1,670 pg/g, range 628-7,680 pg/g wet weight in plasma). The ratio of PCP to polychlorinated biphenyl congener number 153 (CB153) concentration ranged from 0.72 to 42.3. Sum HO-PCB (sigma HO-PCBs) concentrations were different among regions, with geometric mean concentrations of 553 (range 238-1,750), 286 (103-788), and 234 (147-464) pg/g wet weight plasma for the Lower North Shore, Nunavik, and the southern Québec groups, respectively. Lower North Shore samples also had the highest geometric mean concentration of sum PCBs (sum of 49 congeners; sigma PCBs), 2,710 (525-7,720) pg/g wet weight plasma. sigma PCB concentrations for Nunavik samples and southern samples were 1,510 (309-6,230) and 843 (290-1,650) pg/g wet weight plasma. Concentrations (log transformed) of sigma HO-PCBs and sigma PCBs were significantly correlated (r = 0.62, p < 0.001), as were concentrations of all major individual HO-PCB congeners and individual PCB congeners. In Nunavik and Lower North Shore samples, free thyroxine (T4) concentrations (log transformed) were negatively correlated with the sum of quantitated chlorinated phenolic compounds (sum PCP and sigma HO-PCBs; r = -0.47, p = 0.01, n = 20) and were not correlated with any PCB congeners or sigma PCBs. This suggests that PCP and HO-PCBs are possibly altering thyroid hormone status in newborns, which could lead to neurodevelopmental effects in infants. Further studies are needed to examine the effects of chlorinated phenolic compounds on thyroid hormone status in newborns.     

The Belgian PCB and dioxin incident of January-June 1999: exposure data and potential impact on health

In January 1999, 500 tons of feed contaminated with approximately 50 kg of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 1 g of dioxins were distributed to animal farms in Belgium, and to a lesser extent in the Netherlands, France, and Germany. This study was based on 20,491 samples collected in the database of the Belgian federal ministries from animal feed, cattle, pork, poultry, eggs, milk, and various fat-containing food items analyzed for their PCB and/or dioxin content. Dioxin measurements showed a clear predominance of polychlorinated dibenzofuran over polychlorinated dibenzodioxin congeners, a dioxin/PCB ratio of approximately 1:50,000 and a PCB fingerprint resembling that of an Aroclor mixture, thus confirming contamination by transformer oil rather than by other environmental sources. In this case the PCBs contribute significantly more to toxic equivalents (TEQ) than dioxins. The respective means +/- SDs and the maximum concentrations of dioxin (expressed in TEQ) and PCB observed per gram of fat in contaminated food were 170.3 +/- 487.7 pg, 2613.4 pg, 240.7 +/- 2036.9 ng, and 51059.0 ng in chicken; 1.9 +/- 0.8 pg, 4.3 pg, 34.2 +/- 30.5 ng, and 314.0 ng in milk; and 32.0 +/- 104.4 pg, 713.3 pg, 392.7 +/- 2883.5 ng, and 46000.0 ng in eggs. Assuming that as a consequence of this incident between 10 and 15 kg PCBs and from 200 to 300 mg dioxins were ingested by 10 million Belgians, the mean intake per kilogram of body weight is calculated to maximally 25,000 ng PCBs and 500 pg international TEQ dioxins. Estimates of the total number of cancers resulting from this incident range between 40 and 8,000. Neurotoxic and behavioral effects in neonates are also to be expected but cannot be quantified. Because food items differed widely (more than 50-fold) in the ratio of PCBs to dioxins, other significant sources of contamination and a high background contamination are likely to contribute substantially to the exposure of the Belgian population.     

Potentially hazardous residues of non-ortho chlorine substituted coplanar PCBs in human adipose tissue

The non-ortho chlorine substituted coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), namely, 3,3',4,4'-tetra-(T4CB), 3,3'4,4',5-penta-(P5CB), and 3,3',4,4',5,5', hexachlorobiphenyl (H6CB) are found to be the most toxic congeners of PCBs eliciting toxic and biological responses typical of 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro dibenzo-p-dioxin (T4CDD). Analyses of human adipose tissues for these congeners revealed 94-860 pg/g of T4CB, 120-730 pg/g of P5CB, and 36-200 pg/g of H6CB on wet weight basis. These were significantly higher than 2,3,7,8-T4CDD detected in the same samples (less than 1-18 pg/g). On the basis of in vitro and in vivo induction of hepatic microsomal benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase (AHH) and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), "T4CDD toxic equivalents" were calculated for coplanar PCBs in humans. "T4CDD toxic equivalent" for 3,3',4,4',5-P5CB was one order of magnitude higher than 2,3,7,8-T4CDD. Considering the extreme toxic potential and persistence of coplanar PCBs, their presence in the human body may pose a greater toxic threat than dioxins and dibenzofurans.     

中国某水域海水养殖鱼和淡水养殖鱼中二噁英污染特征的比较研究

目的对中国某水域的海鱼和淡水鱼样品开展二英污染水平与同系物轮廓表征研究,并评估该典型地区人群通过鱼类暴露二英的膳食摄入量。方法通过布点抽样采集8个养殖点(海水与淡水各半)31份样品,以同位素稀释的HRGCHRMS-多离子检测方式测定样品中的PCDDsFs。结果海水养殖鱼和淡水养殖鱼中PCDDFs平均浓度以湿重计分别为1.43和3.34pgg,以WHOTEQ计分别为0.28pgg和0.43pgg。OCDD、2,3,7,8TCDF为最主要的优势污染同系物;如以毒性的主要贡献者计,则以1,2,3,7,8PeCDD、2,3,4,7,8PeCDF、2,3,7,8TCDD为主。该地区人群摄入鱼的二英PCDDFs的平均膳食暴露量的估算是0.63pgWHOTEQkgbw·day。结论该水域中的鱼已受到了一定程度的PCDDFs污染,淡水养殖鱼高于海水养殖鱼(约为1倍)。鱼体中所检测到的二英污染的平均水平低于欧盟制定的限量标准(3.0pgWHOTEQg)。     

人体胎盘组织二噁英和多溴联苯醚化合物负荷水平初步研究

目的 建立人体胎盘组织样品氯化二苯并二噁英(PCDD)和呋喃(PCDFs)、多氯联苯(PCBs)、多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)化合物同时准确定量检测分析方法,揭示上述持久性有机污染物人体负荷水平,并初步进行危险性评估.方法 采用国际权威标准方法--核素(同位素)稀释的高分辨气相色谱/高分辨双聚焦磁式质谱联用(HRGC/HRMS)技术,以多离子检测方法对人体胎盘组织样品中17个PCDD/Fs和12个共平面PCBs以及7个PBDEs化合物分别进行定性和定量分析,用WHO-TEF值计算所有样品的毒性当量浓度∑TEQ(PCDD+PCDFs+PCBs)和PBDEs浓度,进一步对人体二嗯英和PBDEs化合物负荷水平进行危险性评估.结果 6个胎盘组织样品中PCDD/Fs和PCBs化合物毒性当量总浓度∑TEQ(PCDD+PCDFs+PCBs)中位数是18.15 WHO-TEQ pg/g脂肪.范围分布在5.14～67.01 WHO-TEQ pg/g脂肪之间.2,3,4,7,8-PeCDFs、1,2,3,7,8-PeCDDs、PCB126是毒性当量的主要贡献者,合计占65%.以7个化合物计算PBDEs总浓度,6个样品的中位数值为2.73 ng/g脂肪,均数为7.17 ng/g脂肪,范围是0.95～25.99 ng/g脂肪.BDE47是最主要的污染同系物,占到35%.浓度最高的一个受试样品其毒性当量总浓度∑TEQ(PCDD+PCDFs+PCBs)已经达到世界上已知高暴露区人体二噁英污染负荷水平.结论 我们在本研究中建立了人体组织样品中持久性有机化合物二噁英和PBDEs化合物同时准确定量检测方法,高二噁英负荷水平的样品提供者可能对胎儿存在健康危害的高暴露风险,对于健康的远期影响还需要深入进行医学追踪研究.     

Persistent organochlorine pollutants in eggs of colonial waterbirds from Galveston Bay and East Texas, USA

Eggs of neotropic cormorants (Phalacrocorax brasilianus), black-crowned night herons (Nycticorax nycticorax), and great egrets (Ardea alba) nesting on several locations in Galveston Bay (TX, USA) and at two control sites outside the bay were collected during April-May 1996 and analyzed for chlorinated pesticides, PCBs, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, and polychlorinated dibenzofurans. Additionally, concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TCDD-EQs) were determined by use of relative potency factors (TEQs) or the H4IIE-luc bioassay TCDD-EQs. Concentrations of 1,1,-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) were greater in eggs of neotropic cormorants from Alexander Island (mean = 1,040 ng/g wet wt) in the Houston Ship Channel (Houston, TX, USA) and in those from Telfair Island (mean = 1,460 ng/g wet wt), a reference location outside the bay, than in most locations inside the bay (mean range = 119-453 ng/g wet wt). Mean PCB concentrations were greater in eggs of neotropic cormorants from Alexander Island (mean = 5,720 ng/g wet wt) than in eggs of cormorants from areas farther away from the ship channel, including two reference sites outside the bay (mean range = 404-3,140 ng/g wet wt). The TCDD was the main dioxin congener detected in eggs from all locations within Galveston Bay. Instrumental TEQs in eggs ranged from 67 pg/g wet weight at control sites to 452 pg/g wet weight at Alexander Island. Concentrations of TCDD-EQs determined in the H4IIE assay were correlated with instrumental TEQs and were greater in eggs of cormorants from islands within the bay, although these were farther away from the ship channel. Overall, concentrations of DDE, PCBs, TCDD, and TCDD-EQs were less than the threshold levels known to affect reproduction. However, some eggs contained concentrations of total PCBs or DDE greater than what would elicit adverse effects on birds. No identifiable deformities or abnormalities were detected in embryos collected from all sites.     

Application of sewage sludge to arable land-soil concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins,dibenzofurans, and biphenyls,and their accumulation in earthworms

Soils from five agricultural sites, three research sites, and two privately owned farms were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polybronimated diphenylethers (PBDEs). In soils that had not been treated with sludge (reference soils), the international toxic equivalents (I-TEQs) were 0.6 to 1.5 pg/g dry matter (D.M) for the PCDD/Fs. which are low compared to generally reported background soil levels in Europe. The concentrations of sum of six penta- and hexa-PCBs were 450 to 1,400 pg/g DM. The PBDEs 47 and 99 dominated among the tri- to hepta-PBDEs analyzed (8-80 pg/g DM). The impact of adding 1 to 3 tonnes of sludge (DM) per hectare per year on the concentrations was studied at the three research sites by calculating ratios of the compounds in sludge-treated soil to reference soil (S/R ratio). The concentrations of I-TEQs did not increase in the sludge-treated soil, whereas the S/R ratios for PBDEs were greater than one. Also, although the PCB contents were higher in the sludge-treated soils, the background sources were more important for the concentrations of PCBs than of PBDEs. The largest increase in the S/R ratios was found at a private farm where large amounts of sludge had been used in the past. Accumulation of the compounds in earthworms from the sites also was investigated. The biota-soil accumulation factors (BSAFs) of the tested compounds declined in the following order: ortho-PCBs approximately PBDEs > non-ortho-PCBs > 2.3,7,8-substituted PCDD/Fs. The average BSAF for ortho-PCBs was five (organic matter/lipids), and the lowest BSAFs (0.1-0.8) found were for octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. To our knowledge, accumulation of PBDEs in earthworms has not been published previously.     

Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins (PCDDs), Dibenzofurans (PCDFs), Biphenyls (PCBs), and Organochlorine Pesticides in Yellow-Blotched Map Turtle from the Pascagoula River Basin, Mississippi, USA

Concentrations of polychlorinated-dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), -dibenzofurans (PCDFs), -biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides were measured in tissues of map turtles collected from two locations in the Pascagoula River drainage of Mississippi, USA. PCBs were most predominant among the organochlorines with a concentration of up to 99 ng/g, wet weight (580 ng/g, lipid weight) in livers. The greatest concentration of PCDDs/DFs of 1.1 pg/g, wet weight (15.76 pg/g, lipid weight) was found in the liver of a male turtle. The measured concentrations of organochlorines were less than those reported for turtles from the Great Lakes Basin and upper St. Lawrence River. PCBs contributed 90–99% of the total estimated 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEQs). Particularly, PCB congeners 105, 118, and 156 accounted for 68–80% of the estimated toxic potency of PCBs in turtles. Received: 4 May 1999/Accepted: 20 September 1999     

Exposure and effects of chemical contaminants on tree swallows nesting along the Housatonic River,Berkshire County,Massachusetts, USA, 1998-2000

Hatching success of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) was assessed for three years in relation to chemical contamination along the Housatonic River, Berkshire County (MA, USA), in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Nest boxes were erected at five sites along the Housatonic River and its tributaries and at one reference location. Concentrations of total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were some of the highest ever reported in bird eggs. Mean concentrations at sites along the Housatonic River ranged between 32 and 101 microg/g wet weight. A significant negative relationship was observed between concentrations of total PCBs in clutches and hatching success. A significant negative relationship was also observed between hatching success and the sum of the total dioxins and furans and the associated toxic equivalents (TEQs) for dioxins and furans. In a combined model with PCB TEQs and dioxin/furan TEQs, PCB TEQs were not significantly correlated to hatching success, whereas dioxin/furan TEQs were. Contamination of tree swallows was from local food sources. Accumulation rates of total PCBs in 12-d-old nestlings averaged between 34 and 76 microg/d at the sites along the main stem of the Housatonic River compared to <1 microg/d at the reference location.