The correlation study between PCBs and δ¹⁵N values or FAs in fish collected from Dongting Lake

The toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and their transformation have been intensively investigated in recent years. However, the potential mechanisms of biotransformation in a lake food web remain unclear. To explore the correlation between the PCBs and δ¹⁵N values or FAs, six fish species were collected from Dongting Lake, and various tissues were dissected to analyze the δ¹⁵N values, FAs and PCBs. Based on the wet weight (ww), the concentration of ∑PCBs₁₁₅ ranged from 0.04 to 9.77 ng g^-1, and the highest level was found in the gonad of Cyprinus carpio. The toxicity equivalent (TEQ) of PCBs ranged from 0.003 to 2.39 pg g^-1, and the highest level was found in the fat of Silurus asotusy. The PCB levels in fish collected from Dongting Lake were at the low end of the global range. PCB28, 52, 95, 99, 101, 105 110, 118, 138, 153, 155 and 209 were found in all tissues. PCBs were distributed in a tissue-specific and species-specific manner in fish. PCB153 and 138 had a positive correlation with the TEQ in liver, gill, intestine and skin of fish on the basis of lipid weight (lw). Docosahexaenoic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA/EPA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid (PUFA/SFA) had a positive correlation with some PCB congeners in the intestine. PCB52, ∑tetra-PCBs and Ind-PCBs had a positive correlation with the δ¹⁵N values in liver of fish on the basis of ww. PUFA/SFA and DHA/EPA might be indicators for the transfer of PCB congeners.