Bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in bivalves from Sugarland Run and the Potomac River

A bioaccumulation study was conducted following a release of Fuel Oil number-sign 2 into Sugarland Run, a small northern Virginia stream. Caged clams (Corbicula sp.) were placed in 3 downstream locations and 2 upstream reference areas for an exposure period of approximately 28 days. In addition, resident clams from the Potomac River were sampled at the start of the study and at 4 and 8 weeks. Chemical fingerprinting techniques were employed to identify spill-related polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and to differentiate these compounds from background sources of contamination. The greatest concentration of spill-related PAHs (2 and 3-ring compounds) were measured in clams placed immediately downstream of the spill site, and tissue concentrations systematically decreased with distance from the spill site. PAHs that were not related to Fuel Oil number-sign 2 were found in all clams and accounted for up to 90% of the total body burden at downstream locations. Furthermore, the highest concentrations of 4-, 5-, and 6-ring PAH were found at the upstream reference location, and indicated an important source of PAHs into the environment. Body burdens measured in this study were compared to ambient concentrations reported for bivalves from a variety of environments. Tissue concentrations were also compared to concentrations that have been reported to cause adverse biological effects