Seasonal variation of the distribution of PCBs in sediments and biota in a PCB-contaminated estuary

To elucidate the effects of seasonal variation of precipitation on the distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in estuarine sediments and benthic feeders, PCB concentrations of river surface sediments and mullet fish (Liza macrolepis) were investigated in the estuary of Er-Jen River near former PCB contamination sites before and after each wet season from 2002 to 2004. Analyses of grain size distribution and organic matter revealed that the pre-existing surface sediments were covered by and mixed with the soil particulates brought by surface runoff after each wet season. Obvious increment of PCB content and significantly elevated fraction (p < 0.005) of light PCBs of the river mouth’s sediments after each wet season indicated that the invading particles were rich in unweathered PCBs. PCBs previously buried in the surface soil of heavily contaminated sites were flushed into this estuary through surface runoff. The precipitation altered the PCB patterns in sediment organic matter, the dietary source of mullet, and consequently changed that of mullets accordingly, which all possessed significant greater fraction of light PCBs. In this study, it was demonstrated that seasonal summer precipitation affected the distribution of PCBs on surface sediments and the mullets of this estuary. PCB residuals retained in this region still pose potential threats to biota resided here.