Biomagnification and risk assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls in food web components from Zhoushan fishing ground, China

Trophodynamics and risks of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in organisms from the Zhoushan fishing ground (ZFG), China were studied. Σ22PCBs varied from 1.36 to 36.75 ng/g wet weight, which were far below the maximum residue levels allowed in fishery products. However, estimated daily intake and hazard ratio calculations present possible adverse effects due to PCB pollution. Significantly positive correlations appeared between wet-weighted concentrations of target chemicals and trophic levels (TLs) of the organisms, with trophic magnification factors (TMFs) from 1.15 to 9.72. The TMF values first increased with an increase of compound's KOW values, and then decreased, with log KOW around 7.0 as an inflection point. TL is suggested as the key factor controlling contaminant burden among the species for only PCBs 105, 138, 153, and 171. For the remaining PCBs, lipid content of the organism or metabolite capacity of the compound may be more important influence on their bioaccumulation. [Display omitted] •Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fishes may have adverse effects to humans.•Most penta- to hepta-Cl substituted PCBs can biomagnify.•Largest tropic magnification factor existed when chemical's log KOW is around 7.0.•Lipid/metabolism is sometimes the key factor for PCB burden.