The Case of Pollution of Lake Maggiore: a 12-Year Study with the Bioindicator Mussel Dreissena polymorpha

In 1996, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) pollution of industrial origin was discovered in Lake Maggiore. It was caused by industrial effluents on a tributary of the River Toce, one of the major affluents of the lake in correspondence of Pallanza Bay. This event is the worst case of environmental pollution that has occurred in Western countries in the last 25 years, not due to agricultural use of DDT, but because of an accidental industrial discharge. Heavy polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) pollution was also noticed in 2002, with concentration levels three to seven times higher than those measured in other Italian subalpine lakes. In this study, the current DDT and PCBs contamination levels were assessed according to their presence in zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) specimens sampled in the last 5 years (2003–2008) in eight sampling stations of Lake Maggiore, chosen to cover the entire perimeter of the basin. Moreover, for two stations (Baveno and Pallanza-Villa Taranto) located inside and outside Pallanza Bay, respectively, it is possible to make comparisons starting from 1996. The results obtained show how Lake Maggiore is still an ecosystem with a severe environmental risk, more than 10 years after the original insecticide discharge. DDT contamination continues to evolve, and natural events, like lake overturn, floods, and heavy rains, can have a great influence on the insecticide levels in the lake. By contrast, PCB contamination is absolutely negligible, even if the peak of pollution revealed in 2002 seems to indicate that these pollutants are still present in large quantities in the Lake Maggiore watershed.     

Ecological Risk Assessment for the Recent Case of DDT Pollution in Lake Maggiore (Northern Italy)

Contamination by DDT of industrial origin was detected in 1996 in Lake Maggiore (Northern Italy) causing concern for wildlife and human health. Starting from 1998 a monitoring programme involving different research laboratories was undertaken to establish the pollution level of the lake. In assessing the ecological risk to Lake Maggiore wildlife during this period, the present study integrates information provided by the Commission for the Protection of Italian and Swiss Waters with further analysis and ecotoxicological tests carried out on some autochthonous target species for this insecticide. Sediments collected at the end of 1997 in the most contaminated bay (total DDT 860.2 ng g^?1 dry weight) caused a decrease in fertility and growth of benthic oligochaetes and chironomids, while the 48 h IC₅₀ for Daphnia galeata (0.76 μg L^?1, c.i. 0.43–1.34) was much higher than the DDT concentration in the lake water. The risk of acute effects on zooplankton should therefore be excluded, while transfer through the trophic web and bioconcentration in fish and fish-eating birds are the most adverse consequences of DDT contamination in Lake Maggiore.     

PCBs and Organochlorine Pesticides in Lake Orta (Northern Italy) Sediments

PCB congeners and organochlorine pesticides (DDT, lindane and HCB) distribution were studied in Lake Orta sediments. The results indicated a contaminated area in the nor-them part of the sub-basin. The observed high levels of organochlorine compounds (OCs) may he explained by the focusing phenomenon, ie. the preferential transport of lighter and smaller particles from the emission sources to this area. The PCBs and DDT values were correlated with the organic carbon content and the heavy metal contamination. The toxicity of the sediment samples was related also to PCB content. PCBs and OCs pollution of Lake Orta was of the same order of magnitude as in Lake Como, which is the most contamined lake in Northern Italy.     

白洋淀鱼类体内多氯联苯积累特征及其毒性评价

针对持久性有机污染物在水生生物体内易于积累的特性,利用气相色谱与质谱联用技术（GC-MS）,检测了白洋淀8种鱼类体内多氯联苯（PCBs）含量,并分析了同系物组成特征。根据白洋淀鱼类检测到同系物情况,计算毒性当量（TEQ）并进行评价。白洋淀8种鱼类体内PCBs平均含量范围是55.85~1 485.74 ng.g-1脂肪重,从高到低的顺序依次为黄颡〉黄鳝〉乌鳢〉泥鳅〉鲤鱼〉鳙鱼〉鲫鱼〉鲇鱼。在8种鱼类PCB同系物组成中,四氯联苯和五氯联苯是主要的同系物,其相对百分含量为52.0%~84.3%。这种组成模式反映了白洋淀地区有多氯联苯工业品的使用历史。8种鱼类体内PCBs的毒性当量（TEQ）范围是0.09~1 412.87 pg TEQ.g-1脂肪重,其大小顺序依次为鳙鱼〉鲫鱼〉鲇鱼〉黄颡〉黄鳝〉鲤鱼〉乌鳢〉泥鳅。结果表明,白洋淀淀区部分鱼类已经受到PCBs一定程度的污染,应引起重视。     

东平湖表层沉积物中多氯联苯的污染特征

[目的]查明东平湖表层沉积物多氯联苯(PCBs)的污染特征,为东平湖沉积物的污染控制及风险评价提供科学依据。[方法]于2015年7月对东平湖16个不同点位的表层沉积物进行采样,使用GC-ECD检测了PCBs(PCB28,PCB52,PCB101,PCB118,PCB153,PCB138,PCB180)的含量,对东平湖PCBs的空间分布进行分析。运用EPA法对东平湖表层沉积物中多氯联苯进行生态风险评价。[结果]东平湖表层沉积PCBs总的含量范围为nd～605.9ng/kg,均值为126ng/kg,标准差为153。在空间分布上,湖区中部(184.5ng/kg)入湖口(149.9ng/kg)湖区西南部(101.4ng/kg)湖区北部(46.7ng/kg)。研究区PCBs同系物组成以七氯联苯为主,占总量的66.72%。与其他地区的沉积物相比较,东平湖表层沉积物中PCBs处于较低水平,风险评价表明该研究区域生物毒性效应概率远远小于10%。[结论]由于水文因素的影响,东平湖表层沉积物中多氯联苯(PCBs)呈现出由大汶河入湖口向西北方向递减的空间分布趋势;东平湖表层沉积物中的多氯联苯属于轻微污染水平,未对水体环境安全造成严重影响,沉积物中PCBs的浓度水平对大多数底栖生物无毒性影响。     

PCB concentrations in stream sunfish (Lepomis Auritus and L. Macrocmirus) in relation to proximity to chronic point sources

Sunfish (Lepomis auritus and L. macrochirus) were used to monitor polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in a group of small streams flowing into a larger stream/reservoir system. Mean PCB concentrations in sunfish appeared to reflect exposure conditions at the site of capture. Fish from uncontaminated sites 1 to 2 km distant from PCB-contaminated sites did not exhibit PCB contamination, and PCB concentrations in fish downstream from a discrete source decreased at a rate greater than or equal to downstream dilution of the point source. Mean PCB concentrations in fish near the source exhibited relatively large (-40%) fluctuations between semi-annual sampling periods, suggesting that PCB concentrations in sunfish populations may respond rapidly to changes in exposure. Sunfish were not sensitive enough indicators of contamination to use in assessing whether or not problematic levels of contamination may occur in other species. Although the presence of PCB contamination in sunfish can be used to infer that PCBs are elevated in other species, the absence of PCB contamination in sunfish cannot be used to infer that older, fattier fish higher up the food chain are uncontaminated.     

Use of 90SR in fish vertebrae as an effluent exposure tracer in PCB-contaminated channel catfish

Strontium-90 was measured in the vertebrae of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) collected from an embayment and the adjoining river/reservoir in order to determine their exposure to the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and ⁹⁰Sr-contaminated effluent entering the embayment from a point-source discharge. Concentrations of PCBs in the fish were measured and compared with the ⁹⁰Sr levels to assess the role of the effluent as a possible source of PCB contamination in catfish in the river and embayment. Catfish exposed to the elevated levels of ⁹⁰Sr in the embayment were found to migrate into uncontaminated areas of the river where they were available to anglers. The pattern of PCB contamination in catfish did not mirror that of ⁹⁰Sr hence, little of the PCB burden of the fish in the river could be traced to continuing PCB discharges to the embayment.     

Effect of sublethal chlorinated discharges on PCB accumulation in transplanted Asiatic clams (Corbicula fluminea)

From 1987–1990, uncontaminated Asiatic clams (Corbicula fluminea) were placed in cages and transplanted into two streams receiving industrial discharges to help identify and quantify polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination to the streams. Clams accumulated substantial PCB residues at most sites monitored, with the exception of the sites closest to chlorinated discharges. Clams placed nearest to the chlorinated stream reaches consistently underestimated PCB contamination, based on the amount of PCBs found in fish and sediment at those sites. In a separate experiment, clams exposed in stream-side tanks to untreated (total residual chlorine ranged from 0.02–0.07 mg^?1 L daily) and dechlorinated stream water exhibited differing degrees of valve movement, growth, and PCB accumulation after a four-week exposure to the two treatments. Clams exposed to untreated (chlorinated) stream water closed their shells more often, exhibited less growth, and accumulated substantially lower PCB concentrations than clams exposed to dechlorinated stream water. Clams apparently close their shells to avoid chlorine exposure, thus isolating clam tissues from PCBs found in the stream water and in the clams' food. Because chlorine and PCBs occur together in many industrial discharges, this finding is a significant consideration for monitoring programs that utilize clams to assess PCB bioavailability.     

Congener-specific evaluation of biota-sediment accumulation factor model for HCHs and DDTs under small-scale in situ riverine condition

Purpose

The congener-specific biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) model for hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) was evaluated for four different freshwater fish species (Orienus plagiostomus, Tor putitora, Glyptothorax punjabensis, and Cyprinus carpio) in in situ riverine conditions of Kabul River, Pakistan.

Materials and methods

The congeners of HCH and DDT were quantified using gas chromatograph (GC-ECD). The BSAF for each congener (HCHs and DDTs) was calculated from paired observation of congener’s measured concentrations in fish and sediment taken at the same site. Pearson’s correlation and linear regression analyses were performed to determine the influence of sediment organic carbon fraction (f _soc ) and organism lipid fraction (f _lipid ) on BSAF, and the relationship between BSAFs and logarithm of octanol-water partition coefficients (log K _ows) of HCH and DDT congeners, respectively.

Results and discussion

The BSAFs for total HCH (t-HCH) and total DDT (t-DDT) ranged from 0.6 to 1.5 and from 0.2 to 1.6, respectively. The model was significantly influenced by both fish (p = 0.004) and chemical types (p = 0.002) at 95 % confidence level. The sediment organic carbon fraction (f _soc ) and fish lipid fraction (f _lipid ) had not-too-weak effects on BSAF values for all fish species. The BSAF values were linearly fitted with logarithmic octanol-water partition coefficients (log K _ows) of HCH and DDT congeners, despite the different chemical structures, and different compound class significant negative correlations between log K _ows and BSAF values were found, indicating that hydrophobicity is one of the key factors influencing the bioaccumulation potential of the investigated compounds.

Conclusions

The present study confirmed the applicability of the BSAF model as a screening tool for predicting bioaccumulation of sediment-associated HCH and DDT congeners in investigated fish species under small-scale in situ riverine conditions of Kabul River and suite the model for benthic fish (G. punjabensis) on the basis of the 25th and 75th percentiles of congener-specific BSAF values.

     

兰州地区PCBs的长距离传输潜力及其总持久性模拟研究

运用TaPL3（version3.00）模型计算了7种PCBs同系物在兰州地区通过大气和水体的特征迁移距离（CTD）及其总持久性（Po）v,讨论了其长距离传输潜力（LRTP）和Pov之间的关系,并以PCB28为例,应用灵敏度分析方法对模型的不确定性进行了研究。结果显示,兰州地区PCB28、PCB52、PCB77、PCB101、PCB138、PCB153和PCB180通过大气的CTDair在250～2500km之间,Pov在500～33000d之间,PCB138、PCB153和PCB180对源区影响较大;通过水体的CTDwater在6500～61000km之间,Pov在850～36000d之间,PCB28、PCB52、PCB77和PCB101对源区影响较大。7种PCBs的同系物LRTP和Pov之间没有直接的联系,就排放到大气中的PCBs而言,对Pov和CTD影响最大的参数都是理化参数;就排放到水体中的PCBs而言,Pov比CTD更依赖于PCBs的理化性质,而CTD比Pov更依赖于环境条件。同国外的研究相比,兰州地区PCB28通过大气的CTDair偏低,通过水体的CTDwater偏高,PCB28通过大气和水体的Pov都偏高。     

POPs in Mountain Soils from the Alps and Andes: Suggestions for a ‘Precipitation Effect’ on Altitudinal Gradients

POPs are still a priority environmental problem, but can be used as a scientific tool for understanding the distribution phenomena. Both high mountains and polar areas are seen as priority zones for contamination studies. In this context, two altitudinal series of soil samples were analysed for several classes of Persistent Organic Pollutants (PCBs, DDTs, HCHs, HCB and chlordane). Two transects were carried out – one in the Peruvian Andes (Cordillera Blanca) and the other in the Italian Alps (Mount Legnone). In these two areas, POP composition and levels both gave different results, linked to regional emission history. The Italian samples were characterized by high levels of industrial type compounds, and by surprisingly high DDT contamination, due to a defined consistent local source in Northern Italy. The Peruvian samples, on the other hand, were characterized by generally low POP levels with relatively high DDT contamination. The concentration increase in line with elevation was evident only in the Italian transect, where higher precipitation intensities and an increasingly higher precipitation gradient in accordance with altitude was found present. Precipitations are considered a key factor for enhancing the condensation effect at high altitudes and for reducing summer revolatilisation, as they lower soil temperature. In the Italian altitudinal gradient, evidence of fractionation processes, with a shift of the PCB composition towards less chlorinated congeners, and a vegetation effect with a mean woodland/grassland enrichment factor between 2 and 4 were also observed.     

上海农村及郊区土壤中PCBs污染特征及来源研究

2007年3月采集上海市农村及郊区36个表层土壤样品,采用气相色谱法对土壤中的多氯联苯（PCBs）残留进行了分析,揭示了土壤中PCBs的残留水平、分布、组成特征及来源。结果表明,试区土壤中共检出62种PCB,总浓度最高2530ng·kg-1,最低71.7ng·kg-1,平均含量534ng·kg-1。较高污染浓度主要是编号为BS2、SJ6、JS4和FX4的土壤样品,但从整体采样区域来看,其污染可能主要来源于城区污染导致的区域大气沉降或是全球大气传输所致。上海农村及郊区土壤PCBs污染物以Tri-CBs和Tetra-CBs为主,主要以工业Aroclor1242来源为主。相关性分析显示,土壤中PCBs与TOC具有显著相关性,尤其是对于挥发性较强的低氯代PCBs,表明TOC是影响上海市土壤中PCBs持留的重要因素之一。聚类分析显示,部分采样点PCBs污染与工业品使用有关,但可能还存在其他来源。     

Localized Enrichment of PCB Levels in Street Dust Due to Redistribution by Wind

As part of a project to identify PCB sources in combined sewer overflows discharging to the Buffalo River, NY, nine street and two unpaved aggregate parking lot dust and dirt samples were collected and analyzed for selected PCB congeners and total PCBs. Without exception, the dust and dirt samples had greater concentrations associated with the higher-chlorinated homologue groups. PCB-congeners 153, 138, 101, 118, and 180 contributed >50% of the total PCBs mass in each sample, suggesting contamination with Aroclors 1254 and 1260. Total PCB concentrations for the dust and dirt samples ranged between 90 and 1700 ng g^-1. Samples with the highest concentrations were located across the street and downwind from an industrial lot that had been remediated for PCB contamination in 1988. The industrial lot had been contaminated with Aroclors 1254 and 1260, indicating that contaminated soil had been locally redistributed through natural and vehicle-generated wind. Calculations based on the particle size of the street dust confirm the possibility of wind-induced redistribution. Street and aggregate lot dust and dirt potentially contribute to Buffalo River PCBs loadings through combined sewer overflows and stormwater runoff. Best management practices such as more frequent street sweeping may be useful in reducing these loadings.     

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in sediment and fish from Wetlands in the north central United States

Sediment samples collected in 1980-1982 from riverine and pothole wetlands at 17 locations in the north central United States were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides, certain of their metabolites, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Concentrations were above minimum detection levels (5 ng/g of organochlorines and 20 ng/g of PCBs) in less than 4% of the samples taken. Fish samples taken at 9 of these 17 locations, and analyzed for the same compounds, showed a higher frequency of detectable contaminants. The most common compound found in fish was DDE, which was found in 51% of the samples at levels up to 512 ng/g. alpha-BHC was present at concentrations of 5 to 27 ng/g in 36% of the fish samples, and DDD was found at levels of 5 to 60 ng/g in 14%. Four other compounds, DDT, dieldrin, PCB, and trans-nonachlor, were detected in fish at relatively low concentrations in less than 10% of the samples. This survey, thus, indicated little contamination by organochlorine pesticides or PCBs in the wetland habitats of this region.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Trace Metals in Sediments from a Coastal Lagoon (Northern Adriatic, Italy)

Surface sediments (0–5 cm) were analysed to provide information on levels, spatial trends and sources of the 16 USEPA polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), 15 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and trace metals (copper, chromium, mercury, nickel and zinc) in channel and wetland habitats of Pialassa Baiona lagoon (Italy). The highest levels of PAHs, PCBs and Hg (3,032–87,150, n.d.–3,908 and 1.3–191 mg kg⁻¹) were mainly found at channel habitats close to industrial sources. Pyrogenic PAH inputs were significant, with a predominance of four-ring PAHs and combustion-related PAHs in both channel and wetland habitats. Among PCB congeners, chlorination class profiles show that penta- and hexachlorinated PCBs are the most prevalent homologues accounting for approximately 33% and 47% of the total PCB concentrations in channel sediments. Total toxicity equivalent factors (TEQs) of potentially carcinogenic PAHs varied from 348 to 7,879 μg kg⁻¹ and from 4.3 to 235 μg kg⁻¹ in channel and wetland sediments; calculated TEQs for dioxin-like PCB congeners at channel habitats ranged from n.d. to 86.7 μg kg⁻¹. Comparison of PAHs, PCBs and metal levels with Sediment Quality Guidelines suggests that more concern should be given to the southern area of the lagoon for potential risks of carcinogenic PAHs, dioxin-like PCBs and mercury.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in bulk soil and particle size separates of soils in a rural community

In a rural community (Stephanskirchen, Southern Germany) situated near a waste incineration plant six A horizons were sampled to determine 14 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in bulk soil and particle size separates (clay, silt, fine and coarse sand) and to test the suitability of alkaline saponification for PCB extraction. The PCB concentrations were higher in alkaline saponification extracts than in Soxhlet extracts. However, the extraction efficiency of up to fourfold chlorinated PCBs was lower and more than sevenfold chlorinated PCBs were destroyed. Nevertheless, alkaline saponification was suitable to determine the indicator congeners 28, 52, 101, 138, 152, and 180. The sum of the PCB concentrations ranged from 8.4 to 59.5 μg kg^?1 which was as high as in soils of big cities. However, the concentrations did not reach the threshold value for agricultural purposes of 200 μg kg^?1 as proposed in literature for the sum of the six indicator congeners. The hexachlorinated PCBs 138 and 153 were the most abundant (together > 50% in all samples) whereas PCB 1 could not be detected in any sample. On the average, PCB concentrations increased as particle size decreased. When normalized to C_org, however, the fine sand fraction had the highest PCB concentrations. A slight decrease of lower chlorinated PCBs as particle size decreased indicated an increasing state of degradation. The PCB compositions in the emissions of a comparable waste incineration plant (Bamberg, Bavaria) and in Stephanskirchen soils differed markedly. Therefore, we did not get any indications that waste incineration was a main source of PCBs in the examined soils. Instead, higher chlorinated technical PCB mixtures such as Clophen A 60 or Aroclor 1260 may be the most important sources.     

Effect of hot smoking on the content of selected polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in herring (Clupea harengus) slices

Herring ( Clupea harengus) (as well as sprat and mackerel) is a fish species intensively harvested by the Polish fishing fleet. Its relatively low price and the habits of Polish consumers contribute to its high economic importance in Poland. Among 125.6 thousand tons of marine fish harvested in 2006, herring constituted 22.2 thousand tons (including 7.6 thousand tons harvested from the North Sea). Fish are usually subjected to various culinary treatments, which can influence the concentrations of contaminants in final products. Therefore, the present study aimed at determining the effect of three non- ortho-polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners (PCB 77, PCB 126, and PCB 169) and three mono- ortho-PCB congeners (PCB 114, PCB 156, and PCB 157) in the tissues of herring slices. Concentrations of dry matter and lipids in the final product were increased by 15.9 and 20.5%, respectively. Brining, which preceded the process of smoking, did not significantly influence concentrations of PCB congeners in herring slices. However, smoking resulted in significant ( p < 0.05) changes in concentrations of three non- -ortho PCBs. The biggest dynamics of losses in relation to smoking duration was observed for PCB 77 (30.2%). For PCB 126, the biggest losses occurred after 1 h of drying, followed by slight changes after 1.5 and 2 h of proper smoking and another increase of losses in the final product after 2.5 h. The duration of smoking did not significantly influence PCB concentrations in wet weigh, as their losses in lipids were much bigger. The observation is derived from strong negative correlations between concentrations of the congeners in lipids and lipid concentrations in herring slices during hot smoking ( r ranging from -0.824 to -0.950). Although the lipid concentration in the smoked fish increased, the PCB content diminished. It shows that during drying of the fish slices, PCBs codistilled with water vapor, settling on the walls of the smoking chamber and smoking trolleys. During the proper smoking, the compounds released with the smoke back to the smoking chamber and settled on the surface of smoked fish together with the disperse phase of the smoke (aerosol). Hot smoking contributed to a reduction of toxic equivalents (TEQs) by 22.7% (converted into lipids 41.9%), and in the final product, it amounted to 0.0188 +/- 0.0023 ng TEQ/kg of wet weight (0.0977 +/- 0.0064 ng TEQ/kg of lipids). The reduction was significantly higher than resulting from hot smoking of mackerel slices, when TEQs were reduced by 17.9% wet weight (converted into lipids 31.7%).     

The profile of congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls in soils of Moscow

The profiles of 19 indicative and dioxin-like congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the surface soils of distinct types of land use in Moscow are investigated. The penta- and hexachlorobiphenyls (46.7 and 31.6%, respectively) contribute significantly to the PCB spectrum. They used to make up the bulk of coolants and insulating fluids for electrical equipment, especially transformers. Among the congeners, the indicative PCB-101, -110, -138, and -153 and dioxin-like congeners PCB-105 and -118 dominate. They possess extremely high persistence and capability of bioaccumulation and exert harmful toxic influence, which should be taken into account when estimating an urban ecosystem??s ecotoxicological state.     

Organochlorine Contamination in Selected Estuarine and Coastal Marine Finfish and Shellfish of New Jersey

Analysis of PCB, DDT, and chlordane contamination in selected finfish and shellfish species from estuarine and coastal marine waters of New Jersey (U.S.A.) indicates consistently highest organochlorine contaminant levels in samples from the north and northeast regions of the state in proximity to industrialized sites. Gas chromatographic analysis of tissue samples from three finfish species (bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix; striped bass, Morone saxatilis; weakfish, Cynoscion regalis) and one shellfish species (blue crab, Callinectes sapidus) collected throughout the state during the 1986–1987 and 1988–1991 sampling periods revealed mean PCB, DDT, and chlordane concentrations ranging from 200–5, 380 µg g^-1 wet weight, 25.14–492.52 µg kg^-1 wet weight, and 5–106.44 µg kg^-1 wet weight, respectively. A major conclusion of this study is that some commercially and recreationally important finfish and shellfish species in New Jersey waters, especially those which are lipid-rich, have continued to accumulate PCBs, DDTs and chlordane from the environment long after restrictive regulations were first placed on their use in the United States during the 1970s. The greatest impact of organochlorine contamination is nearby urban centers, most notably Newark and New York City.     

In Situ partitioning and biomagnification of mercury in industrially polluted Husainsagar Lake,Hyderabad, India

The distribution of Hg in water, sediment, plankton and fish along with the in situ biomagnification of the metal in Husainsagar Lake, India were measured. The concentration of Hg in the water was 10 μg L^?1 and exceeded the water quality criteria standards. Sediments of the lake at different sites had Hg concentrations several thousand fold more than that of the overlying water column and showed relationship with the water content of the wet sediment. Sediments in the lake acted as a `sink' for the metal. The concentrations of Hg increased from nanoplankton → phytoplankton -> zooplankton. Fish, an end organism in the food chain, had Hg concentrations higher than that of nanoplankton and lower than those of phytoplankton and zooplankton. This trend did not illustrate the expected pattern of food chain enrichment in the classical sense as noted for chlorinated hydrocarbons (DDT).