Grantee Research Project Results
1997 Progress Report: Transport of Polychlorinated Biphenyls from Adult Oyster Crassostrea virginica to Embryos and Larvae and Potential for Reproductive and Developmental Impairments
EPA Grant Number: R825349Title: Transport of Polychlorinated Biphenyls from Adult Oyster Crassostrea virginica to Embryos and Larvae and Potential for Reproductive and Developmental Impairments
Investigators: Chu, Fu-Lin E. , Hale, Robert C. , Volety, Aswani K.
Current Investigators: Chu, Fu-Lin E. , Hale, Robert C.
Institution: College of William and Mary-VA , Virginia Institute of Marine Science
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: December 1, 1996 through November 30, 1998
Project Period Covered by this Report: December 1, 1996 through November 30, 1997
Project Amount: $247,122
RFA: Exploratory Research - Environmental Biology (1996) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Biology/Life Sciences , Aquatic Ecosystems
Objective:
The goal of this project is to examine uptake and route of PCB transport within the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, and the effects of PCB exposure on lipid storage and mobilization therein. Specifically, this study examines: 1) assimilation of PCBs associated with algae by the oyster; 2) the route of PCB transport within oysters; 3) any changes in lipid class and fatty acid composition in oysters and their gametes due to PCB exposure; 4) effects of PCBs on the oyster's embryonal and larval development; and 5) the effect of sediment on uptake of PCBs associated with algae.Progress Summary:
Standard procedures for preparation of PCB-sorbed algae and conditioning oysters in individual containers to a reproductively active stage have been established. It was found that incubating PCBs (mixture of Aroclor 1242, 1254, and 1260 in acetone) with algal paste (Tetraselmis maculata and Thalassiosira weissflogii; 0.5-5 g PCBs : 1 g algal paste) for one hr resulted in essentially complete sorption of the PCBs (99.9995%). Adult eastern oysters maintained in individual containers can be conditioned to a reproductive stage by feeding them a dose of 0.7 g algal paste/oyster daily for 5 to 6 weeks. An experiment has been conducted to examine the PCB uptake and distribution in oysters and their gametes via dietary exposure. In this experiment, reproductively active oysters were maintained in individual glass chambers and fed PCB-sorbed algal paste for 15 and 30 days (0, 0.1 or 1.0 g PCBs daily). Oysters from Damariscotta River, Maine were used for this experiment. After 15 and 30 days of exposure, the uptake and distribution of PCBs in different tissue compartments (visceral mass, mantles, gills, and adductor muscles) and eggs were examined. Analysis of the oyster visceral mass and eggs revealed that PCBs were accumulated by the oysters and transferred to the eggs. PCBs accumulated in visceral mass in a dose-dependent manner after 30 days exposure: i.e., 224?29, 505?143, 2595?560 ng/g dry tissue weight in oysters exposed to 0, 0.1, and 1.0 g PCBs, respectively. PCB content in the eggs of oysters exposed to 0, 0.1, 1.0 g PCBs for 15 days were 1.0, 4.3?1.3, 8.2?1.8 fg/egg, respectively, and 2.5, 3.0?0.2, 36.3 fg/egg, respectively, after 30 days. The gonad of eastern oysters is associated with the visceral mass (a matrix of digestive gland, gut and gonad). It is also noted that PCB exposure reduced the concentration of two essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic and arachidonic, in the eggs. PCB exposure did not appear to affect oyster larval development. Currently an experiment is being conducted to test the PCB uptake, distribution, transport, and its effects on reproductively inactive oysters.Future Activities:
Effort will be directed to: 1) complete the PCB analysis on tissue samples from the experiment examining uptake and distribution in tissue and eggs in reproductively active oysters; 2) accomplish the ongoing experiment in which the PCB uptake and transport in reproductively inactive oysters are examined; 3) determine whether PCB transport within oysters is associated with lipids and lipoprotein; 4) present results at the 10th International Symposium on Pollutant Responses in Marine Organisms to be held in 1999 and at the 1999 SETAC meeting; and 5) write manuscripts for publication.Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 12 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Effects, dose response, organism, diet, PCB, indicators, biology, zoology., RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, Toxics, Waste, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Bioavailability, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, exploratory research environmental biology, Chemical Mixtures - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Environmental Chemistry, HAPS, Chemistry, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Risk Assessments, Ecological Effects - Human Health, Biology, Ecological Indicators, ecological effects, ecological exposure, ecological risk assessment, contaminant transport, larvae, PCBs, developmental effects, embryos, hemocytes, polychlorinated biphenyl, oyster, polychlorinated biphenyls, ecological impacts, PCB, lipid storage, gametes, reproductive health, benthic filter feederProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.