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Updated: May 10, 2026

Laboratory Estimation of Net Trophic Transfer Efficiencies of PCB Congeners to Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) from Its Prey
Published on: August 29, 2014
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in surface sediments from Monastir Bay
Taoufik Nouira1, Christine Risso, Lassaad Chouba
1Laboratory of Biochemical and Environmental Toxicology, Higher Institute of Agriculture, Chott-Mariem, 4042 Sousse, Tunisia. nouira.taoufik@gmail.com
Abstract:
An assessment of PCB and PBDE contamination of surface sediments in Monastir Bay was carried out in two contrasted seasons of the year. Samples were collected from 5 sites and analyzed for the ∑7 marker PCBs (i.e. PCBs 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180) and ∑4 PBDE congeners (PBDEs 47, 99, 119 and 153) by GC/ECD. Concentrations of both PCBs and PBDEs showed seasonal variations. PCB concentrations were in the range of 3.1-9.3 ng g(-1) and 1.1-8.1 ng g(-1) in wet and dry season respectively, and sediments were considered moderately contaminated with PCBs. All PCBs analyzed were detected in surface sediments. PCB 153 and 52 congeners showed the highest relative abundance in both winter and summer. PBDE concentrations ranged from not detect to 0.1 ng g(-1), with only BDE-47 congener detected in sediments and only in winter. Analysis of spatial and seasonal variations indicated that PCB distribution is governed by hydrodynamics and temporal variability of inputs. While the PCB contamination appeared to be mainly land-based, PBDEs are suspected to originate from atmospheric deposition.
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