Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Laboratory Estimation of Net Trophic Transfer Efficiencies of PCB Congeners to Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) from Its Prey
Published on: August 29, 2014
Tenax-GC Extraction Technique for Residual Polychlorinated Biphenyl and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon Analysis in
M P Shiaris1, T W Sherrill, G S Sayler
1Department of Microbiology and the Graduate Program in Ecology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37916.
Abstract:
A rapid Tenax-GC extraction technique has been evaluated for use in conjunction with aqueous biodegradation assays for polyaromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls. The method was quantitatively efficient and reproducible for phenanthrene, but variable and not quantitative for Aroclor 1254 (polychlorinated biphenyls). Aqueous sample volumes and varying concentrations of organic matter influenced polychlorinated biphenyl and polyaromatic hydrocarbon extraction efficiency. Phenanthrene recovery was decreased by soil extract but unaffected by spent bacteriological culture medium. Both types of organic matter caused significant reduction of Aroclor 1254 recovery. Polyaromatic hydrocarbon and polychlorinated biphenyl biodegradation assays, performed with reservoir samples, supported the laboratory evaluation. The study demonstrated the utility of the Tenax-GC extraction technique for phenanthrene analysis in biodegradation assessment; however, Tenax-GC extraction was not appropriate for Aroclor 1254 biodegradation studies.
More Related Videos
08:12Characterization, Quantification and Compound-specific Isotopic Analysis of Pyrogenic Carbon Using Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids (BPCA)
Published on: May 16, 2016
13:16A Whole Cell Bioreporter Approach to Assess Transport and Bioavailability of Organic Contaminants in Water Unsaturated Systems
Published on: December 24, 2014