Current status of short- and medium chain polychlorinated n-alkanes in top predatory fish across Canada. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saborido Basconcillo, Libia; Backus, Sean M.; McGoldrick, Daryl J.; Zaruk, Donna; Sverko, Ed; Muir, Derek C.G.
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 127(2015)
• Page Start: 93
• Page End: 100
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Polychlorinated n-alkanes -- Chlorinated paraffins -- Fish -- Homologue group patterns -- Atmospheric transport; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.01.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Highlights: Short and medium chain PCAs were measured in fish from nine water bodies in Canada. Highest sPCAs levels were measured in sites where atmospheric transport is suspected. Highest mPCAs levels were found in the highly industrialized/urbanized Great Lakes. sPCAs decreased 6.6-fold in Lake Ontario lake trout in the last ten years. Homologue groups patterns in fish aids in the identification of PCAs sources. Abstract: Short and medium chain polychlorinated n-alkanes (sPCAs and mPCAs) were measured in top predatory fish from nine freshwater bodies across Canada in 2010–2011. Maximum sPCA concentrations were measured in brook trout from Kejimikujik Lake in Nova Scotia (10 ± 8 ng g −1 wet weight) while the lowest concentrations were found in lake trout from Kusawa Lake in the Yukon (2 ± 3 ng g −1 wet weight). The presence of sPCAs in fish from these sites is strongly suggestive of long range atmospheric transport, given the absence of known point sources. The highest mPCA concentrations (11–12 ng g −1 wet weight) were found in lake trout from Lakes Huron, Erie and Ontario. These results showed that fish from sites impacted mostly by atmospheric sources contained higher concentrations of sPCAs than mPCAs while the opposite was observed in sites impacted by industrialization. C12 H20 Cl6, C12 H19 Cl7, C14 H24 Cl6 and C14 H23 Cl7 were the most abundant homologue groups observed. Lake trout from Lake Huron showed a markedly different sPCA homologue profile, characterized by higher abundances of C11 H15 Cl9 and C12 H17 Cl9, indicating local sources. Principal components analysis of sPCA homologues abundances showed that C12 H20 Cl6, C12 H19 Cl7, C11 H18 Cl6, C11 H17 Cl7 were associated with lakes influenced by atmospheric sources while C11 H16 Cl8, C12 H18 Cl8, C11 H15 Cl9, C12 H17 Cl9 were associated with sites influenced by urban/industrial sources. Finally, concentrations of sPCAs in Lake Ontario lake trout collected in 2011 decreased 6.6-fold compared to 2001, however no significant differences were observed for mPCAs.