I. (20%) A lake had a concentration of mercury (Hg) in the water of 2.5 ng/L. Th

Question

I. (20%) A lake had a concentration of mercury (Hg) in the water of 2.5 ng/L. The concentration of Hg in the lake's algae was 375 ug/kg and in fish was 2.8 ppm (mg/kg). What was the bioconcentration factor for algae and fish? 2. (20%) The measured log octanol-water partition coefficient (Kow) for a pesticide was 5.5. The concentration in the water in a lake was 18 ng/L Calculate the concentration of the pesticide in fish that have a fat content of 6%. 3. (20%) An unknown gas has a Henry's Law constant of 9.71 x 10-4 mol/L-atm. Its concentration in the atmosphere is 0.43 ppm. What is its concentration in lake water in equilibrium with the atmosphere? What assumptions did you have to make?

Explanation / Answer

Answer for 1.

Bioconcentration factor (BCF)= Concentration of chemicals in organism / concentration of chemicals in water

since, it is given that,

Concentration of Hg in Algae = 375 ug / kg

Concentration of Hg in fish = 2.8 mg / kg

Concentration of Hg in lake water = 2.5 ng / L

Thus,

BSF in algae =   (375 ug / kg) / (2.5 ng / L)

= 15 x 104

BSF in fish = (2.8 mg / kg) /  (2.5 ng / L)

= 1.12 x 106

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