Accumulation of sediment-sorbed PCBs in tilapia

Tilapia were exposed to sediment and water contaminated with PCBs in the laboratory. Ingestion of sediment and/or contact of contaminated particulates were the predominant pathways for sediment-sorbed PCBs accumulation in tilapia rather than water. Tilapia exposed to spiked sediment and river sediment accumulated significantly higher levels of PCBs (27.5 and 3.9 μg/g lipids, respectively) than those exposed to contaminated water (1.6 μg/g lipid). The biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) of PCBs domains were less than 2.5. PCBs congeners containing four to six chlorine atoms on the biphenyl rings showed a relatively higher accumulation potential. Minor effects of lipid contents, weight and length of fish were observed on PCBs accumulation.