Bioaccumulation of trace organic contaminants from sediment by baltic clams (<i>Macoma balthica</i>) and soft-shell clams (<i>Mya arenaria</i>)

Abstract

Abstract Sediment from Chesapeake Bay was fortified with naphthalene-d8, diphenyl-d10 ether, di-n-octyl phthalate-2,3,4,5-d4, p,p-DDT-d8 and chrysene-d12 to measure the bioaccumulation of sediment-sorbed chemicals by baltic clams (Macoma balthica) and soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria). Macoma bioaccumulated the deuterated chemicals from sediment at measurable rates. Uptake transfer coefficients were derived from bioaccumulation, and for Macoma they ranged from 4.95 × 10−2 h−1 for diphenyl-d10 ether to 1.47 × 10−3 h−1 for chrysene-d12. Transfer coefficients for Macoma were inversely related to the water solubilities of the sorbed chemicals. Mya did not show bioaccumulation of the sediment-sorbed chemicals. Bedded sediments contaminated with trace organic chemicals may be a relevant source of exposure to toxicants in estuarine habitats for depositfeeding bivalves.