Gunnar G. Lauenstein

Asia-Pacific mussel watch for emerging pollutants: Distribution of synthetic musks and benzotriazole UV stabilizers in Asian and US coastal waters

We analyzed 68 green and blue mussels collected from Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam and the USA during 2003 and 2007, to elucidate the occurrence and widespread distributions of emerging pollutants, synthetic musks and benzotriazole UV stabilizers (BUVSs) in Asia-Pacific coastal waters. Synthetic musks and BUVSs were detected in mussels from all countries, suggesting their ubiquitous contamination and widespread distribution. High concentrations of musks and BUVSs were detected in mussels from Japan and Korea, where the levels were comparable or greater than those of PCBs, DDTs and PBDEs. Significant correlations were found between the concentrations of HHCB and AHTN, and also between the concentrations of UV-327 and UV-328, which suggest similar sources and compositions of these compounds in commercial and industrial products. To our knowledge, this is the first study of large-scale monitoring of synthetic musks and BUVSs in Asia-Pacific coastal waters.

Occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern in mussels (Mytilus spp.) along the California coast and the influence of land use, storm water discharge, and treated wastewater effluent.

Contaminants of emerging concern were measured in mussels collected along the California coast in 2009-2010. The seven classes were alkylphenols, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), other flame retardants, current use pesticides, perfluorinated compounds (PFC), and single walled carbon nanotubes. At least one contaminant was detected at 67 of the 68 stations (98%), and 67 of the 167 analytes had at least one detect (40%). Alkylphenol, PBDE, and PFC concentrations increased with urbanization and proximity to storm water discharge; pesticides had higher concentrations at agricultural stations. These results suggest that certain compounds; for example, alkylphenols, lomefloxacin and PBDE, are appropriate for inclusion in future coastal bivalve monitoring efforts based on maximum concentrations >50 ng/g dry weight and detection frequencies >50%. Other compounds, for example PFC and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), may also be suggested for inclusion due to their >25% detection frequency and potential for biomagnification.

U.S. Long-term coastal contaminant temporal trends determined from mollusk monitoring programs, 1965–1993

Abstract Data from four large-scale programs that monitored chemical concentrations in marine mollusks were assembled to determine long-term trends in U.S. coastal waters. The programs were the 1965–1972 national Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitoring project, the EPA ‘Mussel Watch’ Program of 1976–1978, the ongoing National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Mussel Watch Project that began in 1986, and the ongoing State of Californias Mussel Watch Program that began in 1977. When concentrations from the four projects were evaluated together at common sites, decreasing national trends were found for PCBs, DDT and its metabolites, and dieldrin. When data from three of the four large-scale monitoring projects were evaluated for trace elements, decreasing trends were found for lead, cadmium, and silver. For copper, decreasing and increasing trends were approximately equal except for California where at five sites increasing trends were indicated. No trends were found for PAHs, nickel or zinc concentrations.

Presence of the Corexit component dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate in Gulf of Mexico waters after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill

Between April 22 and July 15, 2010, approximately 4.9 million barrels of oil were released into the Gulf of Mexico from the Deepwater Horizon oil well. Approximately 16% of the oil was chemically dispersed, at the surface and at 1500 m depth, using Corexit 9527 and Corexit 9500, which contain dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DOSS) as a major surfactant component. This was the largest documented release of oil in history at substantial depth, and the first time large quantities of dispersant (0.77 million gallons of approximately 1.9 million gallons total) were applied to a subsurface oil plume. During two cruises in late May and early June, water samples were collected at the surface and at depth for DOSS analysis. Real-time fluorimetry data was used to infer the presence of oil components to select appropriate sampling depths. Samples were stored frozen and in the dark for approximately 6 months prior to analysis by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with isotope-dilution quantification. The blank-limited method detection limit (0.25 μg L(-1)) was substantially less than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys (USEPA) aquatic life benchmark of 40 μg L(-1). Concentrations of DOSS exceeding 200 μg L(-1) were observed in one surface sample near the well site; in subsurface samples DOSS did not exceed 40 μg L(-1). Although DOSS was present at high concentration in the immediate vicinity of the well where it was being continuously applied, a combination of biodegradation, photolysis, and dilution likely reduced persistence at concentrations exceeding the USEPA aquatic life benchmark beyond this immediate area.

Comparison of organic contaminants found in mussels and oysters from a current mussel watch project with those from archived mollusc samples of the 1970s

Abstract Organic contaminant concentrations in mussels and oysters were compared between archived samples of a Mussel Watch Program of the 1970s and samples collected more recently by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admnistrations National Status and Trends Program. Archived samples were analysed using current analytical techniques. Chlorinated pesticides and PAHs (polyaromatic hydrocarbons) displayed significant decreases between the 1970s and the 1990s. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and butyltins were found in higher concentrations in 1986 than in the 1970s samples. Concentrations for both have decreased since 1986. The original 1970s analytical results were also compared with current analytical results from archived samples. Results were comparable for DDE and were generally comparable for the greater than three-ring PAHs. Results were also comparable for PCBs, even though the early methods quantified Arochlor 1254 and the more recent method quantifies PCBs by congener.

Distribution of Chlorinated Organic Contaminants in Dreissenid Mussels Along the Southern Shores of the Great Lakes

Abstract Samples of dreissenid mussels were collected from 21 sites along the U.S. shores of the southern part of the Great Lakes and their connecting channels. These samples were analyzed for tissue levels of 16 chlorinated organic compounds, mostly pesticides, as well as for lipid levels. Aldrin, endrin, and lindane were found above detection levels at less than one-half of the sites, primarily at sites in Lake Michigan. Mirex was detected at nine sites mostly in Lake Ontario and the Niagara River, but also near Detroit and in Saginaw Bay. Heptachlor was detected at only two sites, both in Lake Erie. Cis-chlordane, dieldrin, hexachlorobenzene, heptachlor, trans-nonachlor, and total DDTs were detected at all or almost all of the sites. Except for hexachlorobenzene, which was highest near Buffalo, these chemicals were found at higher concentrations in Lake Michigan, especially near Milwaukee, than in the other areas studied. A comparison of the concentrations of chlorinated organic compounds to the levels of lipids showed that differences in dreissenid lipid levels among sites were not the major cause of the observed differences in concentrations in the chlorinated organic compounds. At most sampling locations, the category total DDTs was composed primarily of the DDT breakdown products DDD and especially DDE. However, a substantial percentage of the total DDTs detected at sites in eastern Lake Erie and western Lake Ontario was composed of the parent DDT compounds, suggesting the presence of a relatively recent input of this compound in this area. Comparison of the concentrations of chlorinated organic compounds measured in Great Lakes dreis-senids with concentrations of these compounds in marine mussels and oysters found generally similar levels for most of the compounds. Exceptions to this were hexachlorobenzene and mirex which had mean concentrations more than 5 times greater in mussels from the Great Lakes than from marine locations and lindane which had concentrations in mussels from the Great Lakes less than one-tenth of those from marine mussels.

Radionuclide Concentrations in Bivalves Collected Along the Coastal United States

Abstract In 1990, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administations National Status and Trends Program initiated a study of artificial radionuclides (241Am, 239 + 240Pu, 238Pu, 137Cs, 110Ag, 90Sr, 65Zn, 60Co, and 58Co) in oysters and mussels collected along the coastal US. The results of this study show that activation products 110Ag, 65Zn, 60Co and 58Co are sometimes present close to nuclear facilities. In addition, based on a nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis statistical test, it appears that 241Am and 137Cs concentrations as well as 241 Am 239 + 240 Pu and 137 Cs 40 K activity ratios are highest along the West Coast of the US. For 238Pu, 239 + 240Pu, and 90Sr activities and the other ratios, the differences observed in the distribution of the radionuclides between the various coasts are not statistically significant. There is also a statistical difference between the values of the 239 + 240 Pu 90 Sr ratio in oysters vs mussels collected along the East Coast and of the 241 Am 239 + 240 Pu ratio between two species of mussels collected along the West Coast. Finally, when the NOAA results for 241Am, 239 + 240Pu, and 137Cs are compared with those of an earlier (1976–1978) Mussel Watch Program sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency, the statistical Sign Test generally shows a significant decrease in the concentrations between the mid-1970s and the early 1990s.

Chemical contamination assessment of Gulf of Mexico oysters in response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Hurricane Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005 and caused widespread devastation along the central Gulf Coast states. Less than a month later Hurricane Rita followed a similar track slightly west of Katrina’s. A coordinated multi-agency response followed to collect water, sediment and tissue samples for a variety of chemical, biological and toxicological indicators. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Status and Trends Program (NS&T) participated in this effort by measuring chemical contamination in sediment and oyster tissue as part of the Mussel Watch Program, a long-term monitoring program to assess spatial and temporal trends in a wide range of coastal pollutants. This paper describes results for contaminants measured in oyster tissue collected between September 29 and October 10, 2005 and discusses the results in the context of Mussel Watch and its 20-year record of chemical contamination in the region and the nation. In general, levels of metals in oyster tissue were higher then pre- hurricane levels while organic contaminants were at or near record lows. No contaminant reported here exceeded the FDA action level for food safety.

Distribution and sources of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the Southern California Bight

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in surface sediments from 121 locations within the Southern California Bight. Site selection was based on a probabilistic approach to determine the spatial extent and magnitude of PBDE concentrations with known confidence intervals. Coastal embayments (including estuaries, marinas, ports, and bays) and the continental shelf out to the lower slope were sampled. Thirteen PBDEs were detected at 92 of the sites, with a geometric mean and maximum of 4.7 and 560 ng/g dry weight (sum of 13 congeners), respectively. The PBDE concentrations were higher in coastal embayments than in offshore locations. Embayments had an area-weighted geometric mean total PBDE concentration of 12 (95% confidence interval, 8.0-17) ng/g dry weight and a total PBDE mass of 110 (77-160) kg. The offshore stratum, which is 99% of the total area, had an area-weighted geometric mean total PBDE concentration of 2.0 (1.6-2.5) ng/g dry weight and a total PBDE mass of 860 (700-1,100) kg. The five highest PBDE concentrations were associated with the mouths of urban rivers, indicating that urban runoff is likely a major input of PBDEs to these coastal marine waters. The outfalls of wastewater treatment plants were not observed to be major sources.

Temporal trends and spatial distribution of DDT in bivalves from the coastal marine environments of the continental United States, 1986-2009

Analysis of DDT isomers and breakdown products, DDD and DDE, in over 3500 bivalve samples collected from more than 300 locations along the continental United States indicates that concentrations are decreasing. Overall average concentrations for the East (45.8±24.6 ng/gdw), Gulf (42.4±21.1 ng/gdw), and West (90.9±43.3ng/gdw) coasts are declining with an environmental half-life between 10 and 14 ears and are predicted to decrease below 10% of todays concentrations by 2050. Geographically, areas with high and low levels are well identified. Bivalves yielding the highest concentrations were collected in areas linked to areas of DDT production or heavy usage. These areas are clustered in the southern California and San Francisco area, on the West coast; Delaware and Hudson/Raritan Estuary, on the East coast; and in Alabama and northwestern Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico. Statistically significant decreasing trends in ΣDDT concentrations are apparent at most of these locations.