Effects of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) on a Marine Plankton Population and Sedimentation in Controlled Ecosystem Enclosures

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Abstract
Effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) on a natural ecosystem were studied using controlled ecosystem enclosures (CEE) which contained 68 m3 seawater and the natural sea-water biota (Saanich Inlet, British Columbia, Canada). Following addition of PCB (50 .mu.g/l) to a CEE, primary productivity was initially reduced to < 30% of control CEE to which no PCB was added. Settling velocity of particulate matter was initially accelerated by PCB addition but gross sedimentation decreased due to inhibition of primary productivity. Decompsition activity in sedimented matter was initially inhibited by PCB to 1 order of magnitude lower than that of controls but recovered to control level within 6-10 days. Drastic and chronic reductions in the size of zooplankton stocks were also attributed to PCB stress.

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