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Applicability of Corbicula as a bioindicator for monitoring organochlorine pesticides in fresh and brackish waters

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Abstract

The applicability of Corbicula as a bioindicator for monitoring organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in fresh and brackish waters is presented here. Differences in isomer compositions and OCP bioaccumulation levels were analyzed in western Japan and the Pearl River Delta (PRD) in China. Isomer compositions of DDTs, chlordanes, and HCHs were significantly different between the two areas because of their different historical uses and property of the chemicals. This is represented by the (DDE + DDD)/DDT ratio in Corbicula, ranging 4.9–39 in western Japan and 1.1–2.4 in the PRD. However, isomer compositions in Corbicula reflected those in water, and the different patterns in Corbicula likely reflected the usage history. Concentrations of dissolved oxygen, suspended solids, and volatile suspended solids in water, and the difference in species did not influence OCP bioaccumulative levels in Corbicula when conducting biomonitoring. These levels are likely similar to those in Mytilus galloprovincialis. Therefore, Corbicula could be an appropriate bioindicator for monitoring OCPs in fresh and brackish waters.

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Takabe, Y., Tsuno, H., Nishimura, F. et al. Applicability of Corbicula as a bioindicator for monitoring organochlorine pesticides in fresh and brackish waters. Environ Monit Assess 179, 47–63 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1718-7

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