Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in recreational marina sediments of San Diego Bay, southern California

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations were determined in surface sediments from three recreational marinas in San Diego Bay, California. Total PCB concentrations ranged from 23 to 153, 31–294, and 151–1387ngg−1 for Shelter Island Yacht Basin (SIYB), Harbor Island West (HW) and Harbor Island East (HE), respectively. PCB concentrations were significantly higher in HE and PCB group composition differed relative to HW and SIYB, which were not significantly different from each other in concentration or group composition. In marina sediments there was a predominance (82–85%) of heavier molecular weight PCBs with homologous groups (6CL-7CL) comprising 59% of the total. In HE 75% of the sites exceeded the effect range median (ERM), and toxicity equivalence (TEQ dioxin-like PCBs) values were higher relative to those of HW and SIYB, suggesting a potential ecotoxicological risk. •Concentration and spatial distribution of PCBs in San Diego Bay marina sediments were determined•PCB concentrations ranged from 22.5-1387 ng g-1 and was highest at Harbor Island East (HE) and heavy molecular weight PCBs (i.e. >PCB #77) were dominant (>82% of the total)•PCB homologous composition in HE sediments differed relative to Harbor Island West (HW) and Shelter Island Yacht Basin (SIYB)•SIYB total PCBs and homologous groups showed a positive correlation with TOC, phytopigments and mud content•ERM and TEQ DL-PCB values in HE were higher relative to those of HW and SIYB, suggesting a potential ecotoxicological risk