Uptake of polychlorinated biphenyls from sea water by Gammarus oceanicus

The uptake of a polychlorinated biphenyl preparation containing 5 to 7 chlorine atoms/molecule, solubilized in a nonionic surfactant in sea water, by Gammarus oceanicus was measured spectrophotometrically. Uptake occurred in living animals across the general integument. It is suggested that uptake rates are dependent upon the total surface area of the integument, although no accurate method of determining this is known. The rate of uptake decreased after 4 to 6 hours exposure and uptake was dependent upon concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls in sea water. The stage of the intermoult of G. oceanicus did not affect uptake rates.