Accumulation of Micropollutants in Representative Biota of Sundarban Wetland

The chapter highlights the comprehensive account of congener profiles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in intertidal bivalve mollusks (Meretrix meretrix, Macoma birmanica, and Sanguilonaria (Soletellina) acuminata) of Indian Sundarban mangrove wetland. The main aim of this work was to use the bivalves as bioindicators of the contamination of the 16 USEPA PAH. The PAH profile in bivalves is largely dominated by a petrogenic fingerprint, with over-imposition of pyrolytic PAH sources, as evidenced by diagnostic molecular ratios. Bioaccumulation factors (BAF) of individual compounds from the sediments were calculated, and it reveals overall higher values in the visceral mass of the bivalves. S acuminata showed significantly higher levels of PAHs, especially the high-molecular-weight (HMW) PAHs, compared to the other two species as a sensitive indicator of trace organic stress in future monitoring programmes.