National Status and Trends: Bioeffects Program - Southwest Puerto Rico Chemical Contaminant Assessment Summary

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Coral Tissue Collection Mustard hill coral, Porites astreoides, was collected and analyzed from eight sites. Samples were collected from the vessel Aquanauta using a GPS programmed with the station coordinates. The coral samples were taken by NCCOS SCUBA divers in August 2005 using a hammer and an acetone-rinsed punch. The punch produced a coral core with a diameter of 1.2 cm and a similar core length. Approximately 20 cores were taken at each site and placed in a 50ml Teflon centrifuge tube underwater. The tube was then brought to the surface, drained of water and placed immediately in a dewar charged with liquid nitrogen. At the end of the mission, the dewars were shipped to the NOAA Hollings Marine Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina and the samples were stored at -80 C prior to processing.

Collection of Water Samples for Nutrient Analysis Water samples were analyzed from 47 sites for total nitrogen and phosphorus, and were collected by submerging a labeled 125 ml HDPE (high density polyethylene) bottle beneath the water surface, capping it and then placing it on ice.

Data Preparation and Sample Processing -Fields are arranged as follow: Sample Type; Container; Field Holding; Lab Storage; Max Holding; SEDIMENT - Organic contaminants; I-Chem glass jars; Wet ice (4C); Freezer (-20C); 1 year; SEDIMENT - Inorganic contaminants; I-Chem glass jars; Wet ice (4C); Freezer (-20C); 1 year;SEDIMENT - Total organic Carbon; I-Chem glass jars; Wet ice (4C); Freezer (-20C); 1 year;CORAL TISSUE - Organic contaminants; Teflon Bottle; Wet ice (4C); Freezer (-80C); 1 year;CORAL TISSUE - Inorganic contaminants; Teflon Bottle; Wet ice (4C); Freezer (-80C); 1 year;WATER SAMPLES - Total nitrogen, phosphorus; HDPE bottle; Wet ice (4C); Frozen (-10 degC); 3 months

Sediment Sample Analysis PAHs were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring mode. PCBs were analyzed using gas chromatography/electron capture detection. Organochlorine pesticides were also analyzed using gas chromatography/electron capture detection. Butyltins were quantified using gas chromatography/flame photometry. Silver, cadmium, copper, lead, antimony, and tin were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry. Aluminum, arsenic, chromium, iron, manganese, nickel, silicon and zinc were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry. Mercury was analyzed using cold vapor - atomic absorption spectrometry. Selenium was analyzed using atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Total metal was analyzed. Additional information on the protocols used for the analysis of the organic and inorganic contaminants can be found in Kimbrough et al. (2006), and Kimbrough and Lauenstein (2006), respectively.

Coral Tissue Processing - The coral tissues were processed using the protocols found in Downs et al. (2005). Briefly, the corals were ground in an acid washed, solvent-rinsed (acetone) mortar and pestle. Liquid nitrogen was added before the grinding commenced to cool the mortar, and during the grinding process to prevent the tissues from thawing, and to keep the coral matrix brittle to facilitate the grinding process. The ground coral was then placed into a precleaned jar, and then frozen. Coral Tissue Analysis - TDI-Brooks International conducted the organic and inorganic analyses for coral tissues. Additional information on the protocols used for the analysis of the organic and inorganic contaminants can be found in Kimbrough et al. (2006), and Kimbrough and Lauenstein (2006), respectively.

Analysis of Water Samples for Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus Water samples were analyzed for total nitrogen and total phosphorus using an autoanalyzer following persulfate oxidation using the methods of Hansen and Koroleff (1999).

Name of derived values Sediment grain size; sediment total organic carbon (TOC); total inorganic carbon (TIC). Inorganic contaminants: trace metals measured are arsenic (As), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), antimony (Sb) and zinc (Zn) Organic contaminants: chemicals with similar structural properties were summed and reported as Totals; in addition to their individual measured concentrations. The components of these totals are as follows: Total DDT = sum of concentrations of ortho and para forms of parent and metabolites 2,4'DDE; 4,4'DDE; 2,4'DDD; 4,4'DDD; 2,4'DDT and 4,4'DDT. Total Chlordane = sum of concentrations of four compounds alpha-chlordane, trans-nonachlor, heptachlor, heptachlorepoxide. Total Dieldrin = sum of concentrations of two compounds aldrin and dieldrin. Total Butyl tin = sum of concentrations of parent compound and metabolites monobutyltin, dibutyltin, tributyltin, [concentrations are in terms of tin]. Total PCB = the sum of the concentrations of eighteen congeners: PCB8/5, PCB18, PCB28, PCB44, PCB52, PCB66, PCB101, PCB105, PCB118, PCB128, PCB138, PCB153/132/168, PCB170/190, PCB180, PCB187, PCB195/208, PCB206, and PCB209. Total low molecular weight (lmw) PAHs = sum of concentrations of twelve 2- and 3-ring PAH compounds: naphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene, 1-methylnaphthalene, biphenyl, 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene, acenaphthene, acenaphthylene, 1,6,7-trimehtylnaphthalene, fluorine, phenanthrene, 1-methylphenanthrene, and anthracene. Total high molecular weigh (hmw) PAHs = sum of concentrations of twelve 4-and more-ring PAH compounds: fluoranthene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluorantene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[e]pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene, perylene, dibenzathracene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, and benzo[ahi]perylene. Total PAH = low molecular weight PAHs plus high molecular weigh PAHs (sum of 24 PAH compound concentrations). Total chlorinated benzenes = Tetrachlorobenzene 1,2,4,5, Tetrachlorobenzene 1,2,3,4 Pentachlorobenzene, Hexachlorobenzene and Pentachloroanisole Total cyclodienes = Heptachlor, Heptachlor Epoxide, Oxychlordane, Alpha Chlordane, Gamma Chlordane Cis-Nonachlor, Trans-Nonachlor, Aldrin, Dieldrin, Endrin, Endosulfan II Total HCH = Alpha HCH, Beta HCH, Gamma HCH, Delta HCH Total unsubstituted high molecular weigh PAHs = Fluoranthene, Pyrene, Benz(a)anthracene, Chrysene, Benzo(b)fluoranthene, Benzo(k)fluoranthene, Benzo(e)pyrene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Perylene, Indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene, Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, Benzo(g,h,i)perylene Total substituted high molecular weigh PAHs= C1-Fluoranthenes/Pyrenes, C1-Chrysenes,C2-Chrysenes, C3-Chrysenes, C4-Chrysenes Total unsubstituted low molecular weigh PAHs=Naphthalene, Biphenyl Acenaphthylene, Acenaphthene, Fluorene, Anthracene, Phenanthrene, Dibenzothiophene Total substituted low molecular weigh PAHs= C1-Naphthalenes, C2-Naphthalenes, C3-Naphthalenes, C4-Naphthalenes, C1-Fluorenes, C2-Fluorenes, C3-Fluorenes, C1-Phenanthrenes/Anthracenes, C2-Phenanthrenes/Anthracenes, C3-Phenanthrenes/Anthracenes, C4-Phenanthrenes/Anthracenes, C1-Dibenzothiophenes, C2-Dibenzothiophenes, C3-Dibenzothiophenes Note: 2-Methylnaphthalene 1-Methylnaphthalene 2,6-Dimethylnaphthalene 1,6,7-Trimethylnaphthalene or 1-Methylphenanthrene were not double counted in the substituted totals. Total measured PCBs = PCB8/5, PCB103, PCB18, PCB28, PCB29, PCB31, PCB44, PCB45, PCB49, PCB52, PCB56/60, PCB66, PCB70, PCB74/61, PCB87/115, PCB95, PCB99, PCB101/90, PCB105, PCB110/77, PCB118, PCB128, PCB138, PCB146, PCB149/123, PCB151, PCB153/132/168 ,PCB156/171/202, PCB158, PCB170/190, PCB174, PCB180, PCB187, PCB183, PCB194, PCB195/208, PCB198, PCB201/173/157, PCB206, PCB209, ... (continued...)

(continued from above) Total PBDEs in sediments = BDE 1, BDE 2, BDE 3, BDE 10, BDE 7, BDE 8, BDE 11, BDE 12, BDE 13, BDE 15, BDE 30, BDE 32, BDE 17, BDE 25, BDE 33, BDE 28, BDE 35, BDE 37, BDE 75, BDE 49/71, BDE 47, BDE 66, BDE 77, BDE 100, BDE 119, BDE 99, BDE 116, BDE 118, BDE 85, BDE 126, BDE 155, BDE 154, BDE 153, BDE 138, BDE 166, BDE 183, BDE 181 (end continuation)

REFERENCES Downs, C., M. McField, J. Vasquez, and L. Agudelo. 2005. Contaminant Monitoring Protocol Assessing the Effectiveness of Agricultural Better Management Practices in the Mesoamerican Reef. Haereticus Environmental Laboratory and World Wildlife Fund. 32pp. Hansen, H. P. and F. Koroleff (1999). Determination of Nutrients. Methods of Seawater Analysis. K. Grasshoff, K. Kremling and M. Ernhardt. New York, Wiley-VCH: 159-251. Kimbrough, K. L., and G. G. Lauenstein (Editors). 2006. Major and trace element analytical methods of the National Status and Trends Program: 2000-2006. Silver Spring, MD. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 29, 19 pp. Kimbrough, K. L., G. G. Lauenstein and W. E. Johnson (Editors). 2006. Organic Contaminant Analytical Methods of the National Status and Trends Program: Update 2000-2006. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 30. 137 pp. Lauenstein, G. G. and A. Y. Cantillo (eds.) 1993. Sampling and analytical methods of the National Status and Trends Programs, National Benthic Surveillance and Mussel Watch Projects, 1984-1992. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS ORCA 71, Vol 1. Lauenstein, G.G., and A.Y. Cantillo. 1998. Sampling and analytical methods of the National Status and Trends Program Mussel Watch Project: 1993-1996 update. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS ORCA 130. 233pp.