Journal article
Trophic transfer of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in a tidal freshwater marsh
Chemistry and ecology, v 28(4), pp 305-325
01 Aug 2012
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) at Tinicum Marsh contains one of the last remaining tidal freshwater marsh communities along the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River Estuary. The marsh receives a significant load of nutrients and sediment-associated contaminants and is hypothesised to act as an effective trap for these chemicals. The goal of this study was to quantify the levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at various trophic levels at two sites within Tinicum Marsh and assess the factors important in determining their bioaccumulation and trophic transfer. For both PCBs and PBDEs, lipid variation for all species was a large factor in determining contaminant body burden. Also, concentrations in biota increased with increasing trophic level as determined by nitrogen isotope analysis (δ
15
N values) at the downstream site within Tinicum Marsh. This trend was less apparent at the upstream site and may be due to differences in feeding behaviours among species between the two sites and/or differences in carbon and nitrogen sources and recycling. These data are valuable in assisting bioaccumulation/trophic transfer studies and serve as benchmarks to which future PCB and PBDE concentrations will be compared.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Trophic transfer of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in a tidal freshwater marsh
- Creators
- J. T.F. Ashley (Corresponding Author) - Drexel University, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel UniversityM. A. Vasquez - Drexel University, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel UniversityP. Zelanko - Drexel University, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel UniversityE. McKinley - Drexel University, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel UniversityM. Schafer - Drexel UniversityL. Zaoudeh - Drexel University, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel UniversityR. Horwitz - Drexel University, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel UniversityH. M. Stapleton - Duke UniversityD. J. Velinsky - Drexel University, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Chemistry and ecology, v 28(4), pp 305-325
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Number of pages
- 11
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES); School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000306599700001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84864561449
- Other Identifier
- 991019169898204721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Ecology
- Environmental Sciences