Determination of PCB Elimination Coefficients in Round Goby and Tubenose Goby

Whole-body elimination coefficients of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in two Great Lakes invasive fish species, round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) and tubenose goby (Proterorhinus semilunaris). Elimination rates were determined for a set of model PCB congeners (n = 12 congeners) dosed to fish by intraperitoneal injection and allowed to depurate at a temperature of 21.4°C for 90 days. Eight PCBs (PCB 6, 21, 57, 62, 68, 89, 112 and 125) exhibited significant elimination by round goby and had corresponding half lives ranging from 13 to 39.8 days. For tubenose goby, four congeners (PCBs 21, 57, 62 and 68) exhibited significant elimination with half lives in the range from 18.8 to 48.8 days. Whole-body elimination rate coefficients were significantly higher for round gobies compared to tubenose goby. In both cases, PCB elimination rate coefficients were negatively related to chemical log KOW.