Biomagnification of aroclor 1242 in decomposing spartina litter

The accumulation of a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixture (Aroclor 1242) in the process of detritus formation by a shredded marshgrass (Spartina alterniflora) under aerobic conditions was monitored in percolators for 4 months at 20 degrees C. Dissolved PCB in the influent solution was 14 to 16 mug/liter. Parameters monitored in addition to PCB accumulation were CO(2) evolution, NH(4) uptake, NO(3) production, and total organic nitrogen and carbon in the effluent. An NaN(3-) poisoned control served to assess nonbiological PCB absorption. Up to 90% of the PCB dissolved in the influent water was removed by the biologically active detritus. Biomagnification resulted in three to four times higher PCB concentrations in the active detritus than in the abiotic control. Evolution of CO(2) was slightly depressed by PCB, but the overall quality (C:N ratio) of the detritus was not affected. The results indicate that bioaccumulation of PCB in detritus is an important means of entry for this pollutant into estuarine food webs.