N S T I T U T E
RTI/1864/50-03 F
December 7, 1982
Final Report
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS IN THE ENVIRONMENT
AND FRESHWATER FISH
by
R. M. Lucas
V, G. lannacchione
D. K. Melroy
Research Triangle Institute
Research Triangle Park
North Carolina 27709
2PA Contract Number: 68-01-5848
Project Officer: Joseph Carra
Task Manager: Richard Levy
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Toxic Substances
Exposure Evaluation Division
Design and Development Branch
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA 27709
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This report was prepared under contract to an agency of
the United States Government. Neither the United States
Government nor any of its employees, contractors,
subcontractors, or their employees makes any warranty,
expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or
responsibility for any third party's use or the results
of such use of any information, apparatus, product, or
process disclosed in this report, or represents that its
use by such third party would not infringe on privately
owned rights.
Publication of the data in this document does not signify
that the contents necessarily reflect the joint or separate
views and policies of each sponsoring agency. Mention of
trade names or commercial products does not constitute
endorsement or recommendation for use.
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RTI/1864/50-03 F
December 7, 1982
Final Report
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS IN THE ENVIRONMENT
AND FRESHWATER FISH
by
R. M. Lucas
V. 6. lannacchione
D. K. Melroy
Research Triangle Institute
Research Triangle Park
North Carolina 27709
EPA Contract Number: 68-01-5848
Project Officer: Joseph Carra
Task Manager: Richard Levy
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Toxic Substances
Exposure Evaluation Division
Design and Development Branch
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
Approved by:
Robert M. Lucas, Task Leader
Research Triangle Institute
Stephen R. Williams, Project Leader
Research Triangle Institute
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Table of Contents
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1
2. INTRODUCTION 2
3. ENVIRONMENTAL DATA SUMMARY 3
3.1 Urban Soils Monitoring Network 3
3.1.1 General Description of the Network 3
3.1.2 Historical Uses of the Network 3
3.1.3 Limitations as a Monitoring Network 3
3.1.4 Overview of Network Designs 3
3.1.5 Summary of Polychloriaated Biphenyl Data . . 4
3.2 Rural Soil Monitoring Network 4
3.2.1 General Description of the Network 4
3.2.2 Overview of Sample Design 4
3.2.3 Limitations of the Network 8
3.2.4 Summary of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Data
from the Network 8
3.3 National Surface Water Monitoring Program 9
3.3.1 General Description of the Monitoring
Program 5
3.3.2 Limitations of Statistical Inferences. ... 9
3.3.3 Summary of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Data . . 9
4. POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS IN FRESHWATER FISH 16
4.1 General Description of the Study 16
4.2 Overview of the Study Design 16
4.3 Statistical Limitation of Data 16
4.4 Summary of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Freshwater
Fish Data l6
5. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 19
5.1 Introduction 1^
5.2 Comparisons Among Media 19
6. REFERENCES 21
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List of Tables
Table Page
3.1 Summary of Sample Sizes and Percent of Detections of
Polychlorinated Biphenyls by Calendar Year and Medium
for the Urban Soil Monitoring Network 5
3.2 Summary of Positive Values of Polychlorinated Biphenyls
by Calendar Year and Type of Lawn Soil 6
3.3 Summary of Positive Values of Polychlorinated Biphenyls
by Calendar Year and Type of Waste Soil 7
3.4 Summary of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Data Collected from
Cropland Areas of the Rural Soil Monitoring Network . . 10
3.5 Summary of the Prevalence of Polychlorinated Biphenyls
in Surface Water 12
3.6 Summary of the Prevalence of Polychlorinated Biphenyls
in Bottom Sediment 13
3.7 Summary of the Prevalence of Polychlorinated Biphenyls
in Bottom Sediment 14
3.8 Summary of Positive Values of Polychlorinated Biphenyls
in Bottom Sediment • 15
4.1 Summary of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Freshwater
Fish 17
List of Figures
Figure Page
5.1 Diagram of Collection Time Periods of Polychlorinated
Biphenyl Data by Media 20
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to thank the Task Manager, Mr. Richard Levy
for his assistance and direction in producing this report. The authors
would also like to thank Mr. Anthony Inglis, Ms. Ann Carey and Mr. Daniel
Heggem of the Field Studies Branch, Exposure Evaluation Division, for
thier assistance and comments in completing this document. The authors
also thank Ms. Martha Clegg for her fine efforts in typing this
manuscript.
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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report gives a summary of the prevalence and levels of poly-
chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fresh water fish and the environment.
Data collected from the Urban Soil Network, the Rural Soil Network, and
the National Surface Water Monitoring Program are reviewed and summarized.
Additional materials on PCBs in freshwater fish supplied to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency by the U.S. Department of the Interior
(USDI) are also included.
The percent of specimens with detectable amount of PCS residue in
urban and suburban soil ranged from 0.0 percent in 1970 to over 10
percent in 1978, and averaged 3.3 percent during that period. Only 2 of
7,664 specimens of rural soils were found to contain detectable levels
of PCB residue.
The percent of surface water specimens with detectable amounts of
PCB varied greatly with a maximum of 35.5 percent in the spring quarter
of 1975 and a minimum of 0.0 in many other quarters. The percent detected
in bottom sediment ranged from over 50 percent during the spring quarter
of 1975 to 8.1 percent in the fall quarter of 1979. The percent detected
appears to decline from 1975 to 1980 in both water and sediment data.
The levels of PCBs in water and sediment in which detected values were
noted vary widely from year to year and within the year, but do not
exhibit any apparent trends or patterns. The levels found in sediment
tend to be at least a factor of 10 higher than the levels found in
surface water.
The percentage in tissue specimens from freshwater fish with detect-
able levels of PCBs increases from 91.5 percent in 1976-1977 to 98.1
percent in 1978-1979.
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2. INTRODUCTION
This report presents a concise summary of the prevalence and levels
of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in several environmental media. The
primary sources for this report are previously prepared preliminary
reports on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (US EPA) monitoring
programs for water, water sediment, soil, and their computer accessible
data files. Additional materials provided by the US EPA are also included
as sources.
Chapter three deals with PCBs in the environment. The first two
sections describe PCB residue levels found in soil collected in the US
EPA's National Soil Monitoring Program. Section one describes and
presents results from the Urban Soils Network, and section two relates
to the Rural Soils Network. Section three summarizes information on
PCBs found in surface water and bottom sediment collected in the National
Surface Water Monitoring Program. Chapter four summarizes PCB levels
found in fresh water fish based on unpublished information provided to
the US EPA by the USDI. Chapter five gives a concise overview of the
PCB data and points out similarities and differences among the various
media investigated. Chapter six includes a list of all documents refer-
enced in the report.
In order to limit the amount of material presented, only brief
descriptions of the monitoring programs and studies and their survey
design are given. The reader is advised of potential limitations in
making inferences beyond the sample data. References are included for
the reader interested in more detail.
Several terms that have rigorous statistical definitions are used
in the report. Below are nontechnical definitions for these terms.
Target Population; The universe to which an investigator wishes to
make inferences. Examples are the civilian population in the U.S.
or all rural soils in the U.S. to a depth of three inches, as of a
specific point in time.
Sampling Frame: A list or inventory of the entire universe to be
sampled. Examples are a list of all counties in the U.S., or a
conceptualized list of all 3 inch cubes of top-soil in the U.S.
Probability Sampling; A process by which each unit on a sampling
frame may be selected for study with a known and positive
probability.
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3. ENVIRONMENTAL DATA SUMMARY
3.1 Urban Soils Monitoring Network
3.1.1 General Description of the Network
The National Soil Monitoring Program consists of two
networks: the Urban Soils Monitoring Network (USMN) and the Rural Soils
Monitoring Network. Areas considered to be urban in character are
monitored by the Urban Soils Monitoring Network. Over the past twelve
years such monitoring efforts have been undertaken in 42 cities and
Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSAs). Between 5 and 14
cities were sampled each year between 1969 (FY70) and 1979 (FY80), each
city being resampled every six years with the second cycle starting in
1975 (FY76). Residues of thirteen pesticides and polychlorinated bi-
phenyls (PCBs) were detected in the associated urban soil samples, and
in addition, residue levels of three metals were measured. A listing of
the pesticide residue and metals is given in a USMN report (McDonald
1981). A description of the chemical analysis method is given in Whitmore
et al. (1980). This section presents a concise summary of the residue
levels for 1970 through 1978.
3.1.2 Historical Uses of the Network
The major historical objectives of the Urban Soils
Monitoring Network (USMN) were to monitor pesticide residue in urban
areas for prevalence, levels, and trends over time.
3.1.3 Limitations as a Monitoring Network
The Urban Soils Monitoring Network has not yet been
used to its fullest potential as a monitoring network. Because Urban
Soils sampling has not been based on a strict probability structure
(McDonald, 1981), inferences about residue levels for urban areas in
general at the national or regional level have limited defensibility and
are of unknown accuracy. Because of the above mentioned inferential
limitations, the PCBs summaries presented below relate only to the
sampled cities.
3.1.4 Overview of Network Designs
The Urban Soils Monitoring Network has monitored four
classes of compounds in urban soils: organochlorine pesticides and
PCBs, trifluralin, organophosphorus pesticides, and heavy metals.
Forty-two urban areas across the United States have been monitored on a
rotating basis since 1969. Two different sample designs were tried
experimentally in 1969 and 1970, and a third sample design was imple-
mented in 1971 to be used in all subsequent years. These sample designs
are described in detail in the NSMP report (Whitmore et al, 1981). The
first two sample designs each had a single stage of stratification with
three stages of selection: cities, grid units (land areas of fixed and
equal size), and sample sites. Stratification in 1969 was based on geo-
graphic regions, and in 1970 was based on the population size of the
urban areas. Soil specimens were collected from 400 sites in 8 cities
in 1969 and from 356 sites in 14 cities in 1970.
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For 1971 through 1975, the sampling frame used was the list of 243
SMSAs in the United States, as defined in the 1970 U.S. Census. Two
stages of stratification were used: size of population at the first
stage and, at the second stage, sample SMSAs were stratified into urban
and suburban areas. Sites were selected at a rate of one site per
square mile (2.6 km2) in the urban stratum, and one site per 20 square
miles (51.8 km2) in the suburban stratum.
3.1.5 Summary of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Data
Data for 1970 through 1978 are available in computer
accessable form. The sample sites are classified into one of four
categories (Whitmore et al 1980): (i) urban lawn soil, (ii) urban waste
soil, (iii) suburban lawn soil, and (iv) suburban waste soil. Table 3.1
presents the number of soil specimens collected by category and year
where PCBs were measured and the percentage of the specimens that con-
tained positive amounts of PCBs. For years in which specimens were
collected from both soil categories and both waste categories, the data
are combined to give an overall estimate.
Because the percentages detected are very low, additional summari-
zation seems of little use. Table 3.2 presents number of positive PCB
values recorded in lawn soil, and the minimum and maximum of those
values by year. Table 3.3 contains the same summary format for waste
soil. These data are not indicative of a ubiquitous presence of PCBs in
the categories. Among the maximum positive values, only two are over 10
ppm. One is 60.80 ppm from suburban lawn soil in 1973, and the other is
11.94 ppm from urban waste soil in 1971.
3.2 Rural Soil Monitoring Network
3.2.1 General Description of the Network
The Rural Soils Monitoring Network (RSMN) is the second
component of the National Soil Monitoring Program and was intended to
monitor all soil in the conterminous United States except in areas
considered to be urban in character. The urban areas are included in
the scope of the USMN discussed in the previous section.
Because the RSMN is a probability sample of rural soils, valid
generalizations about all rural soils in the conterminous United States
and other reasonably large geographic areas are possible with some
limitations discussed below.
3.2.2 Overview of Sample Design
A detailed description of the RSMN survey design,
compounds targeted for chemical analysis, and evaluation of the chemical
analysis methods are given in the NSMP report (Whitmore et al, 1981).
Only a brief overview is given below.
The Rural Soil Network (RSN) is a probability sample of 10-acre
sites from the population of all rural land areas in the conterminous
United States. Each 10-acre site is located by a probability subsample
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Table 3.1 Summary of Sample Sizes and Percent Detections of Polychlorinated Biphenyls
by Calendar Year and Medium for the Urban Soil Monitoring Network*
Medium
Urban Lawn Soil
Urban Waste Soil
Urban (Combined)
Suburban Lawn Soil
Suburban Waste Soil
Suburban (Combined)
Urban Lawn Soil
Urban Waste Soil
Urban (Combined)
Suburban Lawn Soil
Suburban Waste Soil
Suburban (Combined)
Sample
Size
163
137
300
0
0
0
Sample
Size
245
122
367
0
0
0
1970
Percent
Detected
0.0
0.0
0.0
NA
NA
NA
1975
Percent
Detected
2.9
4.9
3.6
NA
NA
NA
Sample
Size
104
42
146
40
137
177
Sample
Size
199
144
343
0
0
0
1971
Percent
Detected
1.9
7.1
4.7
2.5
1.5
1.7
1976
Percent
Detected
8.0
9.0
8.4
NA
NA
NA
Sample
Size
73
88
161
67
203
270
Sample
Size
79
73
152
20
43
63
1972
Percent
Detected
1.4
3.4
2.5
1.5
0.5
0.7
1977
Percent
Detected
6.3
4.1
5.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
Sample
Size
114
89
203
76
156
232
Sample
Size
39
64
103
54
188
242
1973
Percent
Detected
3.5
3.4
3.5
3.9
0.6
1.7
1978
Percent
Detected
10.3
3.1
5.8
0.0
0.5
0.4
1974
Sample
Size
82
82
164
110
172
282
All
Sample
Size
1105
901
2006
367
898
1265
Percent
Detected
2.4
7.3
4.9
2.7
1.2
1.8
Years
Percent
Detected
3.7
4.3
4.0
2.2
0.8
1.2
NA: Calculation is not applicable with available data.
*
Source: Calculated by the Research Triangle Institute with data collected from the Urban Soils Monitoring Network
sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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Table 3.2 Summary of Positive Values of Polychlorinated Biphenyls
by Calendar Year and Type of Lawn Soil*
Calendar
Year
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
Type of
Lawn
Soil
Urban
Suburban
Urban
Suburban
Urban
Suburban
Urban
Suburban
Urban
Suburban
Urban
Suburban
Urban
Suburban
Urban
Suburban
Urban
Suburban
Sample
Size
163
0
104
40
73
67
114
76
82
110
245
0
199
0
79
20
39
0
Number of
Positive
Values
0
NA
2
1
1
1
4
3
2
3
7
NA
16
NA
5
0
4
NA
Minimum
Positive
Value
(ppm)**
NA
NA
0.20
0.26
1.01
0.94
0.40
0.21
1.08
0.50
0.04
NA
0.04
NA
0.04
NA
0.10
NA
Maximum
Positive
Value
(ppm)**
NA
NA
3.30
0.26
1.01
0.94
1.59
60.80
1.70
1.00
0.67
NA
2.62
NA
4.52
NA
0.81
NA
NA: Calculation is not applicable with available data.
* Source: Calculated by the Research Triangle Institute with data collected
from the Urban Soils Monitoring Network of EPA.
** parts per million
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Table 3.3 Summary of Positive Values of Polychlorinated Biphenyls
by Calendar Year and Type of Waste Soil*
Calendar
Year
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
Type of
Waste
Soil
Urban
Suburban
Urban
Suburban
Urban
Suburban
Urban
Suburban
Urban
Suburban
Urban
Suburban
Urban
Suburban
Urban
Suburban
Urban
Suburban
Sample
Size
137
0
42
137
86
203
89
156
82
172
122
0
144
0
73
43
64
188
Number of
Positive
Values
0
NA
3
2
3
1
3
1
6
2
6
NA
13
NA
3
0
2
1
Minimum
Positive
Value
(ppm)**
NA
NA
0.70
0.09
0.34
1.31
0.18
0.61
0.39
0.40
0.03
NA
0.03
NA
0.08
NA
1.65
0.08
Maximum
Positive
Value
(ppm)**
NA
NA
11.94
0.36
1.31
1.31
0.63
0.61
3.33
0.97
0.36
NA
1.87
NA
0.09
NA
7.81
0.08
NA: Calculation is not applicable with available data.
*Source: Calculated by the Research Triangle Institute with data collected
from the Urban Soils Monitoring Network of EPA.
** parts per million
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of the data points of the 1967 Conservation Needs Inventory (CNI) (USDA
1966). The CNI, in turn, is a probability sample of all rural land
areas (USDA 1966) in the conterminous United States.
The CNI is a stratified random sample of primary sampling units
(PSUs) from each county of the conterminous United States, except for
those counties strictly metropolitan in character. The standard size of
the PSUs was 160 acres, although 40-acre, 100-acre, and 640-acre PSUs
were not uncommon. The standard sampling rate was two percent, however
this rate was increased or decreased in order either to provide esti-
mates of nearly equal precision for all counties or to oversample areas
of special interest. The sampling rates varied within strata from less
than one percent to approximately thirty-two percent.
Data were collected for each of a series of points at every CNI
sample site. The land-use data collected for each CNI sampling point
was used to classify the point as either a cropland point or a non-
cropland point. The sampling design of the RSMN specified that 0.025
percent of the cropland and 0.0025 percent of the noncropland of the
rural conterminous United States would be sampled from each State. A
subsample of the CNI cropland sampling points was selected and used to
locate the RSMN cropland sample sites. The RSMN noncropland sample
sites were located by a subsample of the CNI noncropland sampling points.
The operational design of the RSMN specified that each cropland
site be randomly designated as a first-year, second-year, third-year, or
fourth-year cropland site, such that one-fourth of the cropland sites in
each State would be sampled each fiscal year. Noncropland sites were
handled in the same manner. Specimens were to be collected at each site
no less than once every four years and not more than once per year.
Soil specimens were obtained by compositing fifty soil cores, 2-inches
in diameter by 3-inches in depth. Cropland specimens were to be ob-
tained immediately before or at harvest time.
3.2.3 limitations of the Network
The Rural Soils Network (RSN) design specified that
0.025 percent of the cropland acreage and 0.0025 percent of the noncrop-
land acreage was to be sampled in each State. This criterion resulted
in sample sizes that vary considerably from one State to another. Rhode
Island received the fewest sampling units, four each of cropland and
noncropland sites. Texas received the most, 744 cropland sites and 344
noncropland sites. Thus, reliable estimates of average pesticide levels
are not available for some geographic areas. This is a minor limitation
because estimates are not generally required for small geographic areas.
A more serious limitation results from the purposive exclusion of several
States in the Rocky Mountain regions in the implementation of the network,
thus reducing the area to which statistical inferences are valid, which
consists then of the total U.S., exclusive of those states omitted.
3.2.4 Summary of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Data from the Network
Because the survey design resulted in a cyclic sample
with a period of four years, the data can be summarized by round (group
of four years) and by fiscal year. Only two soil specimens out of 6093
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in round one (approximately fiscal 1969 to 1973) contained detectable
amounts of PCBs. Table 3.4 summarizes the sample sizes and percent of
specimens containing detectable levels of PCB by fiscal year (1969-1974)
found in soil from cropland areas. During the same sampling period, no
detectable levels of PCBs were found in 238 noncropland soil specimens.
These data do not suggest any widespread contamination of PCB in cropland
soil during the study period. The sample sizes for noncropland areas
are insufficient to indicate the prevalence and levels of contamination.
3.3 National Surface Water Monitoring Program
3.3.1 General Description of the Monitoring Program
The National Surface Water Monitoring Program (NSWMP)
is based on the National Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN)
operated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). As of May 13, 1980,
there were 518 NASQAN fixed-site monitoring stations dispersed throughout
the U.S. and Puerto Rico (USGS 1980).
To form the NSWMP, 161 NASQAN stations were selected (Lucas D. et
al 1980). Several of the 161 stations were never activated. A listing
of the 152 NASQAN stations active as of September 1979 is given in Lucas
D. et al (1980). The 152 active stations are geographically dispersed
throughout the entire U.S. and Puerto Rico. The site locations were
purposefully located- at sites that account for approximately 90% of the
outflow from a watershed. For watersheds along the periphery of the
country (coastal regions, Great Lakes, international boundaries) where
the 90 percent outflow goal was impractical, a "representative" station
or array of stations was chosen.
3.3.2 Limitations of Statistical Inferences
Because the stations were selected purposefully, infer-
ences to some larger target population such as all surface water and
bottom sediment in the U.S. might be questioned. However, because the
specimens are collected seasonally and for several years, differences
among seasons and years at the collection sites may be detectable.
3.3.3 Summary of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Data
Specimens of surface water are collected four times
each year during the winter, spring, summer and fall quarters and speci-
mens of sediment are collected twice a year during the spring and fall
quarters. The quarters, winter, spring, summer, and fall, are associated
in this presentation with the periods January-March, April-June, July-
September, and October-December, respectively. These periods are used
instead of the typical seasons because they more closely correspond to
the actual sampling periods. Because the prevalence and levels of PCB
vary considerably among seasons within a year, useful information may be
lost if the seasons were combined for annual statistics.
On the NSWMP computer accessible data files, PCBs are identified as
PCB or one or more of several aroclor mixtures 1242, 1248, 1254 and
1260. Table 3.5 summarizes the prevalence of PCB and Aroclor 1254 in
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Table 3.4 Summary of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Data Collected
from Cropland Areas of the Rural Soil Monitoring
Network*
Round
1
1
1
1
Subtotal
Round 1
2
Fiscal
Year
69
70
72
73
74
Total
Specimen
Material
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Sample
Size
1722
1503
1486
1482
6093
1470
7663
Percent
Detected
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.14
0.03
1.63
0.34
NA: Calculation is not applicable with available data.
*
Source: Calculated by the Research Triangle Institute from the computer
accessible data files supplied by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
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surface water by each season and fiscal year. Almost all specimens
analyzed for 1254 were also analyzed for 1242, 1248, and 1260. Because
only one, three, and three specimens of approximately 2400 specimens
were positive for the three aroclors respectively, they are not included
in the table. The percent detected is highest in 1975 and 1976, lowest
in 1978 and between the two extremes in 1980. Table 3.6 summarizes the
levels of the positive values of PCB and Aroclor 1254 found in surface
water. The reader is cautioned that the extreme value of 900 ppb found
in the spring of 1976 was measured before adequate quality control
procedures were implemented in the spring of 1977 (Yonan, 1982). The
next highest value is only 23 ppb of Aroclor 1254 also found in the
spring of 1976. There is no apparent trend or seasonal patterns in the
levels of the two PCB measures.
Sediment was also analyzed for PCB and Aroclors 1242, 1248, 1254,
and 1260. Because only three specimens contained detectable levels of
1248, its prevalence and levels are excluded from the summaries. Table
3.7 summarizes the prevalence of PCBs found in sediment by season and
year. The percentage of specimens with detectable amounts are highest
in 1975 and tend to decline to the lowest prevalence in 1979 with Aroclor
1254 consistently the most prevalent. The levels of the positive values
displayed in Table 3.8 do not exihibit a declining pattern like the
prevalence. Aroclor 1254 tends to be the highest of the compounds as
well as the most prevalent. The reader is advised to cautiously interpret
high values observed before the summer of 1977. Adequate quality control
measures were not implemented until June of 1977 (Yonan, 1982).
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Table 3.5 Summary of the Prevalence of Polychlorinated Biphenyls
in Surface Water
Calendar
Year
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
Quarter
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
PCB
Sample Size
32
141
99
124
396
126
116
78
2
322
4
1
13
8
26
21
31
25
2
79
1
17
92
0
110
0
0
0
0
0
PD*
12.5
35.5
16.2
12.1
15.9
10.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Aroclor
Sample Size
0
4
0
3
7
6
40
143
140
329
140
140
145
143
568
124
135
143
133
535
146
151
142
152
591
116
98
135
65
414
1254
PD*
50.0
33.3
33.3
32.5
4.2
4.3
1.4
5.7
0.7
1.4
0.8
0.0
0.0
.8
0.0
0.0
5.6
0.0
0.9
2.0
9.6
4.6
*The percent detected (PD) is the number of specimens with greater than
.15 parts per billion concentration divided by the sample size.
Source: Calculated by the Research Triangle Institute from the NSWMP
computer accessible data files.
-12-
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Table 3.6 Summary of Positive Values of Polychlorinated
Biphenyls in Surface Water
Calendar
Year
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
Quarter
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Number
4
50
16
15
20
12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
PCB (ppb*)
Minimum Median Maximum Number
0.18 0.35 2.65
0.15 0.26 2.44 2
0.15 0.21 0.28
0.15 0.22 0.49 1
0.15 0.20 1.15 2
0.15 0.34 900. OOt 13
6
6
2
8
1
2
1
0
0
1
0
0
8
0
1
2
13
3
Aroclor
Minimum
0.15
0.99
0.38
0.15
0.15
0.16
0.23
0.15
0.24
0.23
0.22
21.43
0.15
0.18
0.26
0.17
0.28
1254 (ppb*)
Median
0.20
0.99
0.45
0.96
0.50
0.46
3.15
0.15
0.24
0.24
0.22
21.33
0.28
0.18
0.32
0.74
0.37
Maximum
0.25
0.99
0.51
23.00
2.08
1.28
6.06
0.16
0.24
0.24
0.22
21.43
0.47
0.18
0.37
3.78
17.29
*ppb denotes parts per billion.
tlhis high value needs to be interpreted cautiously because it was observed
before adequate quality control procedures were implemented in the Spring of
1977.
Source: Calculated by the Research Triangle Institute from the NSWMP
computer accessible data fiels.
-13-
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Table 3.7 Summary of the Prevalence of Polychlorinated
Bipbenyls in Bottom Sediment
PCB
Calendar
Year
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
Quarter
Spring
Fall
Spring
Spring
Fall
Spring
Fall
Spring
Fall
1242
Sample
Size
60
96
156
93
4
97
3
20
23
17
3
"20
53
1
~54
PD*
58.3
47.9
8.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Sample
Size
7
1
8
100
88
188
110
101
211
101
86
187
97
86
183
PD*
71.4
100.0
7.0
2.3
6.4
7.9
5.9
7.0
2.1
0.0
Aroclors
1254
Sample
Size
26
39
~65
101
90
191
110
101
211
101
86
187
97
86
183
PD*
92.3
97.4
22.8
25.6
17.3
19.8
18.8
19.8
8.3
8.1
1260
Sample
Size
4
2
~5
100
89
189
110
101
211
101
86
187
97
86
183
PD*
50.0
100.0
6.0
1.1
1.8
5.0
1.0
4.7
0.0
1.2
*The percent detected (PD) is the number of specimens greater than 1.5 ppb divided by
the sample size.
Source: Calculated by the Research Triangle Institute from the NSWMP computer
accessible data files.
-14-
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Table 3.8 Summary of Positive Values of Polycblorinated Biphenyls in Bottom Sediment
Calendar
Tear Quarter
1975 Spring
Fall
1976
1977
i 1978
i-
Ol
i
1979
Spring
Fall
Spring
Fall
Spring
Fall
Spring
Fall
PCB (pbb*) Aroclor 1242 (ppb*)
Number
35
66
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Minimum Hedian Maximum Number
1.61 4.82 73.25 5
1.50 5.49 457.8 1
2.14 14.37 164.0 7
2
7
8
6
6
2
0
Minimum
13.45
1.80
6.00
136.98
42.19
2.01
12.52
11.38
75.75
Median
70.50
1.80
12.24
805.99
117.69
30.76
80.42
35.17
326.88
Maximum
610.46
1.80
28.10
1475
188.06
88.77
2969
331.62
578.00
Aroclor 1254 (ppb*)
Number
24
38
23
23
19
20
19
17
8
7
Minimum
2.08
1.54
1.80
2.84
4.80
1.67
1.82
1.60
2.35
1.70
Median
9.08
4.26
9.72
12.11
24.13
5.70
9.64
10.57
16.25
2.80
Maximum
256.21
46.54
1388
641
2064
2440
1752
88.00
130.6
7.30
Aroclor 1260 (ppb*)
Number
2
2
4
1
2
5
1
4
0
1
Minimum
37.94
1.74
37.00
15.48
5.71
2.63
44.33
27.43
3.73
Median
55.47
8.59
62.26
15.48
12.90
14.30
44.33
46.99
3.73
Maximum
73.00
15.44
708.0
15.48
20.08
49.38
44.33
1053
3.73
*ppb denotes parts per billion.
Source: Calculated by the Research Triangle Institute from the NSWMP computer accessible data files.
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4. POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS IN FRESHWATER FISH
4.1 General Description of the Study
Since 1967, the Fish and Wildlife Service (USDI) has sampled
fresh water fishes at about 100 selected geographic stations throughout
the Nation as a part of the National Pesticide Monitoring Program (NPMP).
The sampled fishes have been analyzed for selected organochlorine pesti-
cides and other contaminants, including PCBs and various toxic metals.
A description of the program design (which has undergone significant
changes since its inception) and the analytical procedures used are
presented in Schmitt et al (1982).
4.2 Overview of the Study Design
Among the 112 active NPMP stations, fish were collected from
109 stations located throughout the United States. Specimens were
collected at about half the stations in even-numbered years and at the
other half in odd-numbered years. Collections were made at 106 stations
in the 1976-1977 two-year cycle, 108 stations in the 1978-1979 two-year
cycle, and 102 stations yielded data in both two-year collection cycles.
This 102-station subset of data from both years contained 591 specimens,
which represents 95 percent of the 1976-1979 data. Collaborators were
instructed to collect three specimens at each site; two of a representa-
tive bottom-feeding species, and one of a representative predator species.
Each specimen was composed of three to five whole, adult fish. Aliquots
of the ground whole fish were subjected to electron-capture gas chromato-
graphy to measure residues of the selected organochlorine contaminants.
4.3 Statistical Limitation of Data
Summary of descriptive statistics including means, minimum and
maximum concentrations, and percent of stations at which PCS residue was
detected are presented in Schmitt et al (1982). Concentration levels
for PCBs in the different fish species collected at each of the 109
individual stations are presented on both a wet-weight and a lipid-weight
basis. The material that was available for this report, especially the
description of how the monitoring stations were selected, was not suffi-
ciently detailed to evaluate fully the data limitations for generalizing
results (statistical inferences). Hence, before claiming the results
apply to some particular population, say all fresh water fish in the
U.S., the underlying methodology should be reviewed in more detail.
However, because 102 stations were common between the two collection
periods, comparing changes in the descriptive statistics between the two
periods is meaningful.
4.4 Summary of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Freshwater Fish Data
Table 4.1 contains a summary of the levels of total PCS in
freshwater fish measured from the 109 stations of the survey. Mean and
maximum values for wet weight and lipid weight of PCB and percent occur-
rence of residue concentrations for the two collection periods 1976-1977
and 1978-1979 are also given. In general, PCB residues were more widely
distributed in the latter period, but appeared to be declining in some
-16-
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Table A.I Summary of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Freshwater Fish"
Wet Weight
Mean
Maximum
Lipid Weight
Mean
Maximum
•irk
Percent Occurrence
Total
1976-1977
0.87
70.60
7.99
738.61
91.5
PCB M8/G
1978-1979
0.84
92.77
8.79
483.17
98.1
*
Source: Summarized by the Research Triangle Institute from the
data provided by Schmitt et al. (1982).
•irk
Percent of stations showing detectable residues in at least one sample.
-17-
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areas of high concentration. The less-chlorinated PCBs (resembling
Aroclor 1242) seem to be disappearing. The occurrence of PCBs were
found at 92 percent of the stations sampled in 1976-1977 and 98 percent
in 1978-1979. Maximum concentration did not change appreciably. Of the
four PCB mixtures measured, residues resembling Aroclor 1254 were the
most widespread.
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5. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
5.1 Introduction
In this chapter, an overview of the PCB data discussed in the
previous chapters is presented. Because the designs of the sources were
not matched, (that is, collecting specimens from the different media
within close geographic proximity to each other), only general compari-
sons among the media by time period are feasible. Even this type of
comparison is limited because of the minimal amount of time period
overlap among the available data from the media. Figure 5.1 illustrates
the time periods of specimen collection by media. Urban and rural soils
have the greatest amount of overlap, approximately six years. The other
media studies overlap by three to five years.
5.2 Comparisons Among Media
The urban soil network data does not exhibit any trends and
the prevalence (percent detected) is relatively low in all years. Of
course, the limitation of the survey design may preclude detecting
trends even if they exist. The rural soil network data show essentially
no PCB contamination (only 2 positives out of 6093 observations in round
one) in cropland soil.
The prevalence of PCBs in the water and sediment network data are
higher than in the soils data. The prevalence appear to decrease in
both water and sediment: that is, the later years (1978, 1979, and
1980) tend to have lower percents detected than the earlier years (1975,
1976, and 1977).
The percents detected for PCBs in the tissue of freshwater fish
were higher in the 1978-1979 time period than in the 1976-1977 time
period (98.1 percent as compared with 91.5 percent) indicating similar
levels of prevalence in fish and humans.
Two general patterns appear to exist among the media. The preval-
ence of PCBs appears to be increasing in freshwater fish tissues. The
prevalence in the environmental media is lower and appears to be constant
or decreasing. These two conflicting patterns may possibly be explained
by the chemical properties of PCBs. PCBs tend to be soluble in organics
and insoluble in water. Hence, they tend to migrate into the lipid
portions of tissues and remain but tend to be less persistant in other
media.
-19-
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Figure 5.1 Diagram of Collection Time Periods of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Data by Media
Urban Soil Network
Rural Soil Network
Surface Water and wat^r
Sediment Survey sediment
Fresh Water Fish
68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82
Calendar Year
Source: Developed by the Research Triangle Institute from information provided by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
-------
6. REFERENCES
McDonald M, Hardy M, Drummond D 1981. National Soil Monitoring Program:
Urban Soils Monitoring Network. Research Triangle Park, NC: Research
Triangle Institute. RTI/1864/14/03-02I.
Whitmore R, Rosenzweig M, and Hines J 1981. National Soil Monitoring
Program. Research Triangle Park, NC: Research Triangle Institute.
RTI/1864/14/03-011.
USDA 1966. National Handbook for Updating the Conservation Needs Inven-
tory United States Department of Agriculture.
USEPA 1979. Analysis of EPA Pesticides Monitoring Networks. Prepared
by the Research Triangle Institute for the Office of Toxic Substances,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Washington, DC. EPA-560/13-79-014.
USGA 1980. National Water Data Exchange. U.S. Geological Survey.
Reston, Virginia.
Lucas D, Mason RE, Rosenzweig M et al. 1980. Recommendations for the
National Surface Water Monitoring Program for Pesticides. Research
Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. RTI/1864/14/01-01I.
Schmitt, CJ, Ludke, JL and Walsh, D 1981. Organochlorine residues in
fish, 1970-1974, National Pesticide Monitoring Program. Pesticide
Monitoring Journal 14(4): 136«-206.
Schmitt, CJ, M A Ribick, JL Ludke, and TW May 1982. Organochlorine
Residues in Freshwater Fish, 1976-1979: National Pesticide Monitoring
Program. J. in press, Pesticide Monitoring Journal.
Yonan, J 1982 Personal communication on August 25, 1982.
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