US EPA

2167405 

Journal Article 

POLYCHLORINATED-BIPHENYLS IN THE SEDIMENTS AND FISH OF AN OKLAHOMA STREAM 

Hunter, RG; Randolph, JC; Carroll, JH 

1980 

1 

Environmental Pollution Series B: Chemical and Physical
ISSN: 0143-148X 

HEEP/81/09698 

1 

3 

233-240 

WOS:A1980KA83700005 

HEEP COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. Sediments of Pyron Creek, Okl., USA, are polluted with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) from an industrial source. PCB enter the stream as rainfall erodes a mixture of clay and paper pulp containing PCB. Concentrations of PCB in sediments ranged from 0.23-7.20 mug/g, but no PCB were detected in the water. No correlation was found between PCB concentrations in sediments and downstream distance. PCB levels in sediments were significantly greater (0.05 P 0.01) at areas of increased sediment deposition. Concentrations of PCB in fish fillets were significantly greater (0.05 P 0.01) in detritivores than in omnivores or predators. No significant difference was found between omnivores and predators. PCB concentrations in fillets from 2 spp. were significantly correlated with body weight, lipid content or both. Concentration factors for fish fillets ranged from 0.319 for white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) up to 10.319 for river carpsucker (Carpiodes carpio).