Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Biota–sediment accumulation factor (BSAF), bioaccumulation factor (BAF), and contaminant levels in prey fish to indicate the extent of PAHs and OCPs contamination in eggs of waterbirds

  • Contaminated Land, Ecological Assessment and Remediation Conference Series (CLEAR 2012) : Environmental Pollution and Risk Assessments
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Samples of pond sediment, fish, and shrimp were collected from the Ramsar site at Mai Po marshes, Hong Kong (south China), and samples of pond sediment, fish, and shrimp, as well as eggs of water birds (Chinese Pond Herons (Ardeola bacchus) and Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta)), were collected from two smaller wetland sites at Jiangsu Province (mid-China), between 2004 and 2007. Accumulation levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the biota were used to calculate biota–sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) and bioaccumulation factor (BAF). For fish and shrimp, BSAFs of OCPs (3.8–56) were greater than those of PAHs (0.12–6.3). BSAFs and BAFs of 11–79 and 4–34, respectively, were registered for OCPs in eggs of the birds and were greater than those for PAHs (0.11–1.5 and 0.02–1.3, respectively). Assuming that fish were the main prey of the birds, greater bioaccumulation of OCPs was detected for both bird species (BAFs = 4.5–34), while accumulation of PAHs was only detected in Little Egret (BAF = 1.3). A significant linear relationship (p < 0.01) was observed between concentrations of OCPs in bird eggs and in the prey fish. The present study provides a new possibility of using OCP levels detected in prey fish to predict the extent of OCPs contamination in eggs of waterbirds including the endangered species, as a noninvasive method.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adeniyi AA, Yusuf KA, Okedeyi OO (2008) Assessment of the exposure of two fish species to metals pollution in the Ogun river catchments, Ketu, Lagos, Nigeria. Environ Monit Assess 137:451–458

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (2011) Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site Management Plan. AFCD, Hong Kong, China

    Google Scholar 

  • Albers PH (2006) Birds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Avian Poult Biol Rev 17:125–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antoniadou V, Konstantinou IK, Goutner V, Sakellarides TM, Albanis TA, Bintoudi E (2007) PCB levels and accumulation pattern in waterbird eggs and in their prey at Lake Kerkini, a northeastern Mediterranean wetland of importance. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 53:249–260

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boyd CE, Tanner ME, Madkour M, Masuda K (1994) Chemical characteristics of bottom soils from freshwater and brackish-water aquaculture ponds. J World Aquacult Soc 25:517–534

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burkhard LP, Lukasewycz MT (2000) Some bioaccumulation factors and biota–sediment accumulation factor in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in lake trout. Environ Toxicol Chem 19:1427–1429

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Connell DW, Fung CN, Minh TB, Tanabe S, Lam PKS, Wong BSF, Lam BHW, Wong LC, Wu RSS, Richardson BJ (2003) Risk to breeding success of fish-eating Ardeids due to persistent organic contaminants in Hong Kong: evidence from organochlorine compounds in eggs. Water Res 37:459–467

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Department of Environmental Quality, Louisiana, 2003. http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/Portals/0/technology/recap/2003/RECAP%202003%20Appendix%20I%20Tables%2017,18,%20Worksheets%201-8.pdf.

  • Dong YH, An Q, Gong Z, Wang H (2002) Bioindication of organochlorine pesticides by night heron in Taihu wetland ecosystem. Chin J Appl Ecol 13:209–212

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dong YH, Wang H, An Q, Ruiz X, Fasola M, Zhang YM (2004) Residues of organochlorinated pesticides in eggs of water birds from Tai Lake in China. Environ Geochem Health 26:259–268

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • FishBase (2013). http://www.fishbase.org/search.php

  • Furness RW (1993) Birds as monitors of pollutants. In: Furness RW, Greenwood JJD (eds) Birds as Monitors of Environmental Change. Champman Hall, London, UK, pp 86–143

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kong KY, Cheung KC, Wong CKC, Wong MH (2005) The residual dynamic of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorine pesticides in fishponds of the Pearl River Delta, South China. Water Res 39:1831–1843

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lam JCW, Kajiwara N, Ramu K, Tanabe S, Lam PKS (2007) Assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in eggs of waterbirds from South China. Environ Pollut 148:258–267

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lam JCW, Murphy MB, Wang Y, Tanabe S, Giesy JP, Lam PKS (2008) Risk assessment of organohalogenated compounds in water bird eggs from South China. Environ Sci Technol 42:6296–6302

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leung SF (1997) The population dynamics of Metapenaeus ensis (Crustacea: Decapoda: Penaeidae) in a traditional tidal shrimp pond at the Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve. Hong Kong J Zool 242:77–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Leung SY, Kwok CK, Nie XP, Cheung KC, Wong MH (2010) Risk assessment of residual DDTs in freshwater and marine fish cultivated around the Pearl River Delta, China. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 58:415–430

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ley JA (2007) Indo-Pacific Tarpon Megalops cyprinoids: a review and ecological assessment. In: Ault JS (ed) Biology and Management of the World Tarpon And Bonefish Fisheries. CRC Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang Y, Wong MH (2003) Spatial and temporal organic and heavy metal pollution at Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve, Hong Kong. Chemosphere 52:1647–1658

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liang Y, Wong MH, Shutes RBE, Revitt DM (1999) Ecological risk assessment of polychlorinated biphenyl contamination in the Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve, Hong Kong. Water Res 33:1337–1346

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liang Y, Tse MF, Young L, Wong MH (2007) Distribution patterns of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediments and fish at Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve, Hong Kong. Water Res 41:1303–1311

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mackay D, Shiu WY, Ma KC (1997) Illustrated handbook of physical–chemical properties and environmental fate for organic chemicals. Lewis publishers, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Maruya KA, Lee RF (1998) Biota-sediment accumulation and trophic transfer factors for extremely hydrophobic polychlorinated biphenyls. Environ Toxicol Chem 17:2463–2469

    Google Scholar 

  • Masterson J (2007) Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce. http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Oreochromis_mossambicus.htm

  • Mörner J, Bos R, Fredrix M (2002) Reducing and eliminating the use of Persistent Organic Pesticides: Guidance on alternative strategies for sustainable pest and vector management. United Nations Environment Program, World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization. http://www.chem.unep.ch/pops/pdf/redelipops/redelipops.pdf

  • Paripatananont T (2002) Snakehead and Pangasius catfish. In: Webster CD, Lim CE (eds) Nutrient Requirements and Feeding of Finfish for Aquaculture. CABI, England, pp 396–401

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Pereiara MG, Walker LA, Best J, Shore RF (2009) Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the eggs of predatory birds in Britain. Environ Sci Technol 43:9010–9015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruan L, Zhang Y, Zhao D, Dong Y, Fasola M (2003) Egretta garzetta as a bioindicator of environmental pollution in Tai Lake region. Chin J Appl Ecol 14:263–268

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sang HH, Dong HN, Tae HK (2001) Comparison of the breeding ecology of little egret Egretta garzetta and black-crowned night heron Nycticorax nycticonax. Korean J Ornithol 8:35–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanpera C, Ruiz X, Jover L, Llorente G, Jabeen R, Muhammad A, Boncompagni E, Fasola M (2003) Persistent organic pollutants in Little Egret eggs from selected wetlands in Pakistan. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 44:360–368

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson CD, Wilcock RJ, Smith TJ, Wilkins AL, Langdon AG (1995) Determination of octanol–water partition coefficients for the major components of technical chlordane. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 55:149–153

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stokstad E (2007) Species conservation. Can the bald eagle still soar after it is delisted? Science 316:1689–1690

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomann RV, Komlos J (1999) Model of biota–sediment accumulation factor for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Environ Toxicol Chem 18:1060–1068

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Environment Program (2005) Ridding the world of POPs: A guide to the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants. http://www.pops.int/documents/guidance/beg_guide.pdf

  • United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), (1996a) Method 3540C: Soxhlet extraction. http://www.epa.gov/SW-846/pdfs/3540c.pdf

  • United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), (1996b) Method 3620C: Florisil cleanup. http://www.epa.gov/SW-846/pdfs/3620c.pdf

  • United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), (1996c) Method 8270C: Semivolatile Organic Compounds by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). http://www.epa.gov/SW-846/pdfs/8270d.pdf

  • United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), (2000) Bioaccumulation testing and interpretation for the purpose of sediment quality assessment: status and needs. http://www.epa.gov/ost/cs/biotesting/Chem-3.pdf

  • Van der Oost R, Opperhuizen A, Satumalay K, Heida H, Vermeulen NPE (1996) Biomonitoring of aquatic pollution with feral eel (Anguilla anguilla) I: bioaccumulation: biota–sediment ratios of PCBs, OCPs, PCDDs, and PCDFs. Aquat Toxicol 35:21–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vidal M, Dominguez J, Luis A (2011) Spatial and temporal patterns of PAHs in birds from northwestern Iberia after a major oil spill. Sci Total Environ 409:2668–2673

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vos JG, Dybing E, Greim HA, Ladefoged O, Lambré C, Tarazona JV et al (2000) Health effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on wildlife, with special reference to the European situation. Crit Rev Toxicol 30:71–133

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wong CS, Capel PD, Nowell LH (2001) National-scale, field-based evaluation of the biota-sediment accumulation factor model. Environ Sci Technol 35:1709–1715

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wong MH, Leung AOW, Choi M, Cheung KC (2005) A review on the POP pesticides in China, with emphasis on DDT loadings in human milk. Chemosphere 60:740–752

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wong HL, Giesy JP, Lam PKS (2006) Organochlorine insecticides in mudflats of Hong Kong, China. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 50:153–165

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Young L, Melville DS (1993) The conservation of Deep Bay, Hong Kong. In: Morton B (ed) The Marine Biology of the South China Sea. Hong Kong University Press, Hong Kong, pp 211–232

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou HY, Wong MH (2000) Mercury accumulation in freshwater fish with emphasis on the dietary influence. Water Res 34:4234–4242

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou HY, Cheung RYH, Cha KM, Wong MH (1998) Metal concentrations in sediments and tilapia collected from inland waters of Hong Kong. Water Res 32:3331–3340

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou HY, Cheung RYH, Wong MH (1999) Bioaccumulation of organochlorines in freshwater fish with different feeding modes cultured in treated wastewater. Water Res 33:2747–2756

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Mr. Tse Man Fung and Mr. Bena Smith for his assistance for field sampling. Financial support from Science Faculty Strategic Research of Hong Kong Baptist University (no. FRG/03-04/II-51) and Environment and Conservation Fund of Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department (ECF project no. 16/2003) is gratefully acknowledged. Prof. J.P. Giesy was supported, in part, by an at large chair professorship at the Department of Biology and Chemistry and Research Center for Coastal Pollution and Conservation, City University of Hong Kong.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Croucher Institute for Environmental Sciences, and Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China

    C. K. Kwok, Y. Liang, S. Y. Leung & M. H. Wong

  2. Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ISSAS), Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China

    H. Wang & Y. H. Dong

  3. World Wide Fund Hong Kong, Mai Po Nature Reserve, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China

    L. Young

  4. State Key Laboratory on Marine Pollution Control, City University of Hong Kong and Xiamen University, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China

    J. P. Giesy

  5. Biomedical Sciences and Toxicology Center, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    J. P. Giesy

  6. Zoology Department and Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA

    J. P. Giesy

  7. Environmental Science Program, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China

    J. P. Giesy

Authors
  1. C. K. Kwok
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Y. Liang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. Y. Leung
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. H. Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Y. H. Dong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. L. Young
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. J. P. Giesy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. M. H. Wong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Y. Liang or M. H. Wong.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

Electronic supplementary materials

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

ESM 1

(DOCX 31 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kwok, C.K., Liang, Y., Leung, S.Y. et al. Biota–sediment accumulation factor (BSAF), bioaccumulation factor (BAF), and contaminant levels in prey fish to indicate the extent of PAHs and OCPs contamination in eggs of waterbirds. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20, 8425–8434 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1809-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1809-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation