Gordon W. Wood

Distribution of Contaminants in Clams and Sediments from the Huron-Erie Corridor. I–PCBs and Octachlorostyrene

Abstract Samples of surficial sediments and the clam species Lampsilis radiata siliquoidea were collected from 102 sites covering all of Lake St. Clair and the Canadian shoreline of the St. Clair and Detroit rivers. The distribution patterns of both octachlorostyrene (OCS) and PCBs were mapped throughout this area. The mean level of PCBs in sediments of 3.9 μg kg −1 (Aroclor 1254) was much lower than values for “total PCBs” reported in studies carried out in the early 1970s. This reduction does not appear to reflect a real decrease in PCB levels in the environment, but rather changes that have been made in sampling procedures and analytical techniques. Highest levels of PCBs in both sample types were found along the western shore of Lake St. Clair. Mean levels of OCS in whole clam tissue and surficial sediment (0–10 cm) were 43.0 and 5.1 μg kg −1 , respectively. The distribution pattern of OCS in the Huron-Erie corridor in both clams and sediments suggests that the primary source is in the St. Clair River. The mean chemical concentration factor was 59 for OCS, indicating considerable bioaccumulation in the biota of Huron-Erie corridor.

Purification technique for enhancement of field desorption mass spectra of phospholipids.

Abstract The presence of alkali metal ions, most commonly sodium, is known to have deleterious effects on the field desorption mass spectra of phospholipids. At its worst, sodium contamination may cause low ion intensitites, increased fragmentation, and cluster ion formation, or even the complete masking of any lipid spectrum. The removal of metal ions, chiefly sodium, from several commercial phospholipid samples using an adaptation of the Bligh-Dyer extraction technique was found to greatly improve their field desorption mass spectra. General mass spectral improvements of several phospholipids are summarized here and illustrative data are tabulated for dipalmitoylphosphatidic acid.

The Solvolysis of 5,5-Diphenylcyclononyl p-Toluenesulfonate. A Reinvestigation

Reinvestigation of the acetolysis of 5,5-diphenylcyclononyl tosylate (1) has confirmed the absence of any transannular processes and deamination of the corresponding amine 16 gave a similar resuit. Trifluoroacetolysis of 1 caused extensive transannular hydride migration but no phenyl migration. The former may be due to secondary acid-catalyzed rearrangements.