Increased ocean spillage of petroleum hydrocarbons has led scientists to study the uptake, accumulation and depuration of specific hydrocarbons in invertebrates and fishes representing different species and trophic levels. This paper presents results of experiments in which newly feeding post-yolk sac larvae of Pacific herring were exposed to 14c-labeled benzene through water and live food. Larvae had a bimodal response to benzene exposure. Benzene and/or its metabolites were seen to accumulate rapidly (within 6 to 12 hours) from the water to levels approximately 2 times the exposure concentration. When contaminated marine rotifers were present, larvae exhibited a secondary accumulation starting at 24 hours after exposure. Higher average concentration factors of 3.2 were found after 48 hours. These studies showed petroleum hydrocarbons are taken up and accumulated from both water and food, and predators concentrate these hydrocarbons or their metabolites to levels in excess of initial exposure concentrations.
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