Research Product

This paper summarizes the results of an interlaboratory comparison conducted by four laboratories for bioconcentration factor (BCF) testing using the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) and the organic chemicals pentachlorophenol (PCP), 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB), and p,p'-DDE. The bioconcentration test method used was Draft 9 of ASTM Proposed Standard Practice for Conducting Bioconcentration Tests with Fishes and Saltwater Bivalve Molluscs. The mean steady state BCFs and high to low BCF ratios (H/L ratio) for PCP, TCB, and p,p'-DDE were 64 (2.4), 168 (2.3), and 52,600 (3.4), respectively. The mean high to low ratio for all three chemicals was 2.7, which represents the extreme estimate of variability. The mean H/L ratios for the time to 90% uptake were 6.2 for PCP and 5.8 for TCB while the ratio for time to 90% depuration for all three chemicals was 3.3. The results were reproducible, considering the varying degrees of experience between participants in conducting BCF tests, the wide geographic distribution between participants, and the different dilution water characteristics.