SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1991
STP23580S

Distribution of Polychlorinated Terphenyls in Tributaries of the Southern Chesapeake Bay

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Polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs) are structurally similar to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and have been used in analogous applications. Reports of the environmental occurrence of PCTs are rare. PCT formulations Aroclor 5432 and 5460 were recently detected in sediments and shellfish from several tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. Maximum sediment concentrations of Aroclor 5432 and 5460 were 250 000 μg/kg and 19 000 μg/kg (dry-weight basis), respectively. Aroclor 5460, which contains terphenyls with a high degree of chlorination, was detected in sediments near outfalls at 8 of the 26 facilities examined in this study. No significant burdens of Aroclor 5460 were observed in shellfish collected in the vicinity of the contaminated sites. The less-chlorinated Aroclor 5432, although encountered less frequently, was of particular interest because of its propensity to accumulate in biota. Indigenous oysters contained up to 35 000 μg/kg of Aroclor 5432. This value is equivalent to 6300 μg/kg on a wet-weight basis, exceeding the current limit for PCBs in shellfish destined for human consumption. Limited information is available regarding the toxicity of PCTs. Only one published report of the environmental occurrence of Aroclor 5432 is known to exist. Analytical difficulties in distinguishing Aroclor 5432 from PCBs may have contributed to the paucity of observations

Author Information

Hale, RC
Virginia Institute of Marine Science, School of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA
Greaves, J
Virginia Institute of Marine Science, School of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA
Vadas, GG
Virginia Institute of Marine Science, School of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA
Harvey, E
Virginia Institute of Marine Science, School of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA
Gallagher, K
Virginia Institute of Marine Science, School of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA
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Details
Developed by Committee: E47
Pages: 305–312
DOI: 10.1520/STP23580S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5176-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-1425-8