Bioaccumulation of TNT and DDT in Sheepshead Minnows, Cyprinodon variegatus L., Following Feeding of Contaminated Invertebrates

The aim of this study was to determine the potential for dietary uptake by trophic transfer using the explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and the substantially more hydrophobic dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) utilizing the amphipods Leptocheirus plumulosus as prey and the fish Cyprinodon variegatus as predator. Bioaccumulation did not change significantly over time for TNT but apparent steady-state was not reached for DDT at exposure termination after 7 days of dietary exposure. The bioaccumulation factor was 0.09 mg/mg for TNT and 0.34 mg/mg for DDT, confirming the low potential of TNT to bioaccumulate in fish.