Assessment of bioaccumulation of biphenyls in the trophic chain of a coastal area of Parana, Brazil.

The presence of biphenyl was investigated in sediments and water in Paranagua Bay. Chemicals compounds like biphenyl can cause several effects on the ecosystems such as bioaccumulation. Biphenyl and similar compounds are subject to bioaccumulation, which in turn may harm the local ecosystem. The bioaccumulation in the local trophic chain was evaluated using a mathematical model based on toxicokinetic properties of the compound in the organisms. The results showed that even in water, the concentration of biphenyl was high, 0.82 ng/L. Also, in the fishes, the concentrations calculated by the model were higher than the maximum than the maximum allowed for human consumption.