Issue 5, 2024

Quantitative thermodynamic exposure assessment of PCBs available to sandworms (Alitta virens) in activated carbon remediated sediment during ongoing sediment deposition

Abstract

Marine mesoscale studies with sandworms (Alitta virens) were conducted to isolate important processes governing the exposure and bioaccumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at contaminated sediment sites. Ex situ equilibrium sampling with silicone-coated jars, and in situ passive sampling with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were used to determine the performance of an activated carbon (AC) amendment remedy applied to the bed sediment. A quantitative thermodynamic exposure assessment (‘QTEA’) was performed, showing that PCB concentrations in polymers at equilibrium with the surficial sediment were suited to measure and assess the remedy effectiveness with regard to PCB bioaccumulation in worms. In practice, monitoring the performance of sediment remedies should utilize a consistent and predictive form of polymeric sampling of the sediment. The present study found that ex situ equilibrium sampling of the surficial sediment was the most useful for understanding changes in bioaccumulation potential as a result of the applied remedy, during bioturbation and ongoing sediment and contaminant influx processes. The ultrathin silicone coatings of the ex situ sampling provided fast equilibration of PCBs between the sediment interstitial water and the polymer, and the multiple coating thicknesses were applied to confirm equilibrium and the absence of surface sorption artifacts. Overall, ex situ equilibrium sampling of surficial sediment could fit into existing frameworks as a robust and cost-effective tool for contaminated sediment site assessment.

Graphical abstract: Quantitative thermodynamic exposure assessment of PCBs available to sandworms (Alitta virens) in activated carbon remediated sediment during ongoing sediment deposition

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
12 Sep 2023
Accepted
07 Jan 2024
First published
12 Feb 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2024,26, 814-823

Quantitative thermodynamic exposure assessment of PCBs available to sandworms (Alitta virens) in activated carbon remediated sediment during ongoing sediment deposition

P. T. Gidley, G. R. Lotufo, S. N. Schmidt, P. Mayer and R. M. Burgess, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2024, 26, 814 DOI: 10.1039/D3EM00405H

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