Factors Contributing to Elevated PCB Compound Concentrations in Lake Superior Lake Trout

Session: Poster session

Judith Perlinger, Michigan Tech. University, Civil & Environmental Engineering Dept., [email protected]
Noel Urban, Dept. Civil & Environment Eng., Michigan Technological Univ., [email protected]
Mugdha Priyadarshini, Michigan Technological Univ., [email protected]
Alan Labisch, Michigan Technological University, [email protected]

Abstract

Atmospheric deposition has been considered to be the major input of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds to Lake Superior. However, now that the lake is degassing PCBs to the atmosphere, it is possible that PCBs recycled from the sediments are an important source to fish.  The objective of this project was to identify the source(s) of PCBs to Lake Superior lake trout. Congener distributions in air, water, fish and sediment samples were evaluated with Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) to identify common patterns in each environmental medium. PMF also was used to evaluate if congener distributions varied with air mass sources.  For comparison of different sample media (air, water, fish, sediments), PCB concentrations were converted to a common medium in equilibrium with the original phase.  PMF identified multiple factors that contribute to the observed distribution of congeners in air samples. Congener distributions in air and lake trout were different from each other even after accounting for phase transition. Comparison of congener distributions in fish and sediments showed significant similarity, suggesting that the sediments are a source of PCBs to the fish.

1. Keyword
atmosphere-lake interaction

2. Keyword
Lake Superior

3. Keyword
lake trout