The occurrence and distribution of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), focusing on tissue-specific bioaccumulation in crucian carp in South Korea.

Abstract The occurrence and distribution of 41 congeners of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) were investigated in major tissues of crucian carp (muscle, gonad, liver, and blood) and in river sediment to assess the bioaccumulation potential of PCNs. The total PCN concentrations in sediment ranged from 4.37 to 19.5 pg/g dry weight (dw), mainly comprising CN-13, CN-33/34/37, and CN-38/40. Among fish tissues, higher PCN concentrations were observed in the gonads (29.6 ± 10.3 pg/g wet weight, ww) and liver (25.7 ± 4.35 pg/g ww) of crucian carp than in the muscle (2.17 ± 0.68 pg/g ww). CN-28/43, CN-33/34/37, CN-42, CN-52/60, CN-53/55, and CN-66/67 congeners were detected most frequently and had the highest concentration among all crucian carp tissues. We investigated the association between the PCN concentration in each tissue (muscle, liver, and gonad) and the size of the fish (total length and weight) and found positive correlations between the PCN concentration in the gonads and the total length and weight (p < 0.05, Spearman correlation). Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • The level and distribution of PCNs were investigated in sediment and fish. • The PCNs accumulation in sediment was mainly influenced by combustion and Halowax. • The congeners with PCN-NVC and PCN-DVC structures had high levels in fish tissues. • PCNs levels in gonad tissue of crucian carp increased as crucian carp grew. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]