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Journal Article•DOI•

Development and evaluation of sediment quality guidelines for Florida coastal waters.

Donald D. MacDonald, R. Scott Carr1, Fred D. Calder2, Edward R. Long3, Christopher G. Ingersoll •
Texas A&M University1, Florida Department of Environmental Protection2, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration3
01 Aug 1996-Ecotoxicology (Kluwer Academic Publishers)-Vol. 5, Iss: 4, pp 253-278
TL;DR: The weight-of-evidence approach to the development of sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) was modified to support the derivation of biological effects-based SQGs for Florida coastal waters, which were demonstrated to provide practical, reliable and predictive tools for assessing sediment quality.
Abstract: The weight-of-evidence approach to the development of sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) was modified to support the derivation of biological effects-based SQGs for Florida coastal waters. Numerical SQGs were derived for 34 substances, including nine trace metals, 13 individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), three groups of PAHs, total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), seven pesticides and one phthalate ester. For each substance, a threshold effects level (TEL) and a probable effects level (PEL) was calculated. These two values defined three ranges of chemical concentrations, including those that were (1) rarely, (2) occasionally or (3) frequently associated with adverse effects. The SQGs were then evaluated to determine their degree of agreement with other guidelines (an indicator of comparability) and the percent incidence of adverse effects within each concentration range (an indicator of reliability). The guidelines also were used to classify (using a dichotomous system: toxic, with one or more exceedances of the PELs or non-toxic, with no exceedances of the TELs) sediment samples collected from various locations in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. The accuracy of these predictions was then evaluated using the results of the biological tests that were performed on the same sediment samples. The resultant SQGs were demonstrated to provide practical, reliable and predictive tools for assessing sediment quality in Florida and elsewhere in the southeastern portion of the United States.

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Citations
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Journal Article•DOI•
Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment quality guidelines for freshwater ecosystems.

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Donald D. MacDonald, Christopher G. Ingersoll1, T. A. Berger•
United States Geological Survey1
01 Jul 2000-Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
TL;DR: It was concluded that the consensus-based SQGs provide a reliable basis for assessing sediment quality conditions in freshwater ecosystems.
Abstract: Numerical sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) for freshwater ecosystems have previously been developed using a variety of approaches. Each approach has certain advantages and limitations which influence their application in the sediment quality assessment process. In an effort to focus on the agreement among these various published SQGs, consensus-based SQGs were developed for 28 chemicals of concern in freshwater sediments (i.e., metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and pesticides). For each contaminant of concern, two SQGs were developed from the published SQGs, including a threshold effect concentration (TEC) and a probable effect concentration (PEC). The resultant SQGs for each chemical were evaluated for reliability using matching sediment chemistry and toxicity data from field studies conducted throughout the United States. The results of this evaluation indicated that most of the TECs (i.e., 21 of 28) provide an accurate basis for predicting the absence of sediment toxicity. Similarly, most of the PECs (i.e., 16 of 28) provide an accurate basis for predicting sediment toxicity. Mean PEC quotients were calculated to evaluate the combined effects of multiple contaminants in sediment. Results of the evaluation indicate that the incidence of toxicity is highly correlated to the mean PEC quotient (R(2) = 0.98 for 347 samples). It was concluded that the consensus-based SQGs provide a reliable basis for assessing sediment quality conditions in freshwater ecosystems.

2,732 citations

Cites background or result from "Development and evaluation of sedim..."

  • ...Furthermore, the level of agreement between the available dose-response data, the EqP-based SQGs, and the consensus-based SQGs indicates that sediment-associated contaminants are likely to cause or substantially contribute to, as opposed to simply be associated with, sediment toxicity at concentrations above the PECs....

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  • ...The concentrations of these contaminants are considered to be sufficient to cause or substantially contribute to sediment toxicity when they exceed the EqP-based SQGs (Berry et al. 1996)....

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  • ...The results of this evaluation indicate that the consensus-based PECs are generally comparable to the EqP-based SQGs (i.e., within a factor of three; MacDonaldet al. 1996; Smithet al. 1996)....

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  • ...incidence of sediment toxicity (Table 6; MacDonald et al. 1996) by determining the ratio of toxic samples to the total number of...

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  • ...The PEC for copper (149 mg/kg DW) is higher than or comparable to (i.e., within a factor of three; MacDonald et al. 1996; Smith et al. 1996) the median lethal concentrations for several of these species....

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Journal Article•DOI•
Predicting toxicity in marine sediments with numerical sediment quality guidelines

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Edward R. Long1, L. Jay Field1, Donald D. MacDonald•
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration1
01 Apr 1998-Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
TL;DR: The ERhls and PELs indicated high predictive ability in samples in which many substances exceeded these concentrations, and the incidence of toxicity increased with increases in concentntions of mixtures of chemicals normalized to the SQGs.
Abstract: .-Mat~hing'syno~tically collected chemical and laboratory bioassay data (n = 1.068) were compiled from analyses of surficial sediment samples collecred during 1990 to 1993 to evaluate the predictive ability of sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). specifically, effects range-low (ERL). effects range-median (ERM). threshold effects level (TELL and probable eifects level (PEL) values. Dam were acquired from surveys of sediment quality periomed in estuaries along the Atlantic. Pacific. and Gulf of hlexico coasts. Samples were classified as either nontoxic (p > 0.05 re!ative to controls). marginally toxic @ < 0.05 only). or highly toxic @ < 0.05 and response greater than minimum significant difference :elalive to controls). This analysis indic-red that. when nor exceeded. [he ERLs and TELs were highly predictive of nontoxicity. The percenrages of samples that were highly toxic generally increased with increasing numbers of guidelines (panicularly the EX.\.ls and PELS) that were exceeded. Also. the incidence of toxicity increased with increases in concentntions of mixtures of chemicals normalized to (divided by) the SQGs. The ERhls and PELs indicated high predictive ability in samples in which many substances exceeded these concentrations. Suggestions are provided on the uses of these estimates of the predictive ability oi sediment ~uidelines.

771 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
Assessing heavy metal contamination in Sado Estuary sediment: An index analysis approach

[...]

Sandra Caeiro, Maria Helena Costa1, Tomás B. Ramos2, Fontainhas B. Fernandes1, Nelson José Freitas da Silveira, Ana M. Coimbra, G. Medeiros, Marco Painho1 •
University of Lisbon1, University of the Algarve2
01 May 2005-Ecological Indicators
TL;DR: The Sado Estuary in Portugal is a good example of a site where human pressures and ecological values collide with each other as mentioned in this paper, and an overall contamination assessment has never been conducted in a way that is comprehensible to estuary managers.

691 citations

Cites background or methods from "Development and evaluation of sedim..."

  • ...S. Caeiro et al. / Ecological Indicators 5 (2005) 151–169 155 Table 1 Indices calculated in this study and guidelines used Index Classification Guidelines (mg/kg) Cd Pb Zn Cu As Cr Hg TOM New pollution index (PIN) Clean sediments (DR, 1995) 1 50 100 35 20 50 0.5 – Degree of contamination (DC) Pre-industrial reference level (Hakanson, 1980) 1 70 175 50 15 90 0.25 – Pollution load index (PLI) Baseline (Wilson and Jeffrey, 1987) 0.5 10 20 5 5 5 0.05 1 Minimum value in this study 0.2 2 2.1 1 1.1 0.6 0.02 0.5 Threshold (Wilson and Jeffrey, 1987) 1.5 100 100 50 100 50 1.5 7.5 Sediment quality guideline-quotient (SQG-Q) PEL (MacDonald et al., 1996) 4.21 112 271 108 41.6 160 0.7 – Metal pollution index (MPI) – – – – – – – – – Index for ratio-to-reference (I) Reference stations (LO1 management unit) 0.6 3.09 9.52 3.5 7.41 1.85 0.066 – Index for new maximum RTR (NI) Maximum RTR value 13.3 22.3 53.27 54.57 7.8 34 10.5 – Marine sediment pollution index (MSPI) Percentile 0–20 0.6 3.3 15.4 3.0 7.0 2.0 0.060 – Percentile 21–40 1.0 5.0 34.0 6.0 8.0 5.0 0.070 – Percentile 41–60 1.5 8.0 57.0 12.0 10.2 9.2 0.080 – Percentile 61–80 2.9 18.2 101.6 30.6 21.0 19.6 0.232 – Percentile 81–100 8.0 69.0 507.0 191.0 58.0 63.0 0.7 – (Rodrigues and Quintino, 1993)....

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  • ...…each location (NSTP: National Status and Trend Program) SQG-Q ¼ Pn i¼1 PEL-Qi n (A.13) PEL-Q ¼ contaminantPEL (A.14) PEL-Q is the probable effect level quotient; PEL the probable effect level for each contaminant (concentration above which adverse effects frequently occur) (MacDonald et al., 1996)....

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  • ...Although the PEL was originally developed for coastal waters, it can be used in the Sado estuarine study area with more confidence due to the low range of salinity (from 29 to 37...

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  • ...The probable effect level (PEL) was used for the SQG-Q index calculation....

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  • ...C a eiro et a l./E co lo g ica l In d ica to rs 5 (2 0 0 5 ) 1 5 1 – 1 6 9 1 6 5 Long and MacDonald (1998) Mean sediment quality guideline quotient (SQG-Q): ecological risk index Takes into account a complex mixture of contaminants in each location (NSTP: National Status and Trend Program) SQG-Q ¼ Pn i¼1 PEL-Qi n (A.13) PEL-Q ¼ contaminantPEL (A.14) PEL-Q is the probable effect level quotient; PEL the probable effect level for each contaminant (concentration above which adverse effects frequently occur) (MacDonald et al., 1996)....

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Journal Article•DOI•
Recommended Uses of Empirically Derived, Sediment Quality Guidelines for Marine and Estuarine Ecosystems

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E. R. Long1, Donald D. MacDonald•
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration1
01 Oct 1998-Human and Ecological Risk Assessment
TL;DR: Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) have been developed for many potentially toxic substances, based upon empirical analyses of matching chemical and biological data as mentioned in this paper, and the predictive abilities and recommended applications of two sets of guidelines, ERLs/ERMs and TELs/PELs, are discussed in this paper.
Abstract: Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), based upon empirical analyses of matching chemical and biological data, have been developed for many potentially toxic substances. The predictive abilities and recommended applications of two sets of guidelines, ERLs/ERMs and TELs/PELs, are discussed in this paper. The SQGs were intended as informal (i.e., non-regulatory) benchmarks to aid in the interpretation of chemical data. Low-range values (i.e., ERLs or TELs) were intended as concentrations below which adverse effects upon sediment-dwelling fauna would be expected only infrequently. In contrast, the ERMs and PELs represent chemical concentrations above which adverse effects are likely to occur. Evaluations of the reliability and predictive ability of the SQGs indicate they can be used effectively to assess the quality of soft, aqueous, sedimentary deposits. Specifically, the SQGs can be used to classify sediment samples with regard to their potential for toxicity, to identify contaminants of concern, and to prior...

586 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
Geochemical speciation and risk assessment of heavy metals in the river estuarine sediments--a case study: Mahanadi basin, India.

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Sanjay Kumar Sundaray1, Binod Bihari Nayak, Saulwood Lin1, Dinabandhu Bhatta2•
National Taiwan University1, Utkal University2
28 Feb 2011-Journal of Hazardous Materials
TL;DR: The results reveal that high environmental risk of Cd, Ni, Co and Pb, are due to their higher availability in the exchangeable fraction, and the enrichment of heavy metals in bioavailable fraction is mostly contributed from anthropogenic sources.

573 citations

References
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Journal Article•DOI•
Incidence of adverse biological effects within ranges of chemical concentrations in marine and estuarine sediments

[...]

Edward R. Long1, Donald D. MacDonald, Sherri L. Smith2, Fred D. Calder3•
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration1, Environment Canada2, Florida Department of Environmental Protection3
01 Jan 1995-Environmental Management
TL;DR: In this article, matching biological and chemical data were compiled from numerous modeling, laboratory, and field studies performed in marine and estuarine sediments, and two guideline values (an effects range low and an effects range median) were determined for nine trace metals, total PCBs, two pesticides, 13 polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and three classes of PAHs.
Abstract: Matching biological and chemical data were compiled from numerous modeling, laboratory, and field studies performed in marine and estuarine sediments. Using these data, two guideline values (an effects range-low and an effects range-median) were determined for nine trace metals, total PCBs, two pesticides, 13 polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and three classes of PAHs. The two values defined concentration ranges that were: (1) rarely, (2) occasionally, or (3) frequently associated with adverse effects. The values generally agreed within a factor of 3 or less with those developed with the same methods applied to other data and to those developed with other effects-based methods. The incidence of adverse effects was quantified within each of the three concentration ranges as the number of cases in which effects were observed divided by the total number of observations. The incidence of effects increased markedly with increasing concentrations of all of the individual PAHs, the three classes of PAHs, and most of the trace metals. Relatively poor relationships were observed between the incidence of effects and the concentrations of mercury, nickel, total PCB, total DDT and p,p′-DDE. Based upon this evaluation, the approach provided reliable guidelines for use in sediment quality assessments. This method is being used as a basis for developing National sediment quality guidelines for Canada and informal, sediment quality guidelines for Florida.

3,869 citations

"Development and evaluation of sedim..." refers background or methods or result in this paper

  • ...hER-M, effects range median ( Long et al. 1995, Long and Morgan 1990)....

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  • ...Originally, the loth (ER-L) and 50th (ER-M) percentile values I in the effects data set were used to establish sediment quality guidelines (Long and Morgan 1990, Long 1992, Long and MacDonald 1992, Long et al. 1995)....

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  • ...Finally, the lower level of protection predictability of the SQGs was assessed using independent sediment chemistry and compared to the PELS i biological effects data sets from areas throughout the southeastern portion of the United Long et al. 1995)...

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  • ...Good concordance between these two variables is indicated by marked increases in the incidence of effects over the three ranges of contaminant concentrations ( Long et al. 1995 )....

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  • ...A total of four sets of similar guidelines were identified for comparison with the TELs derived in this study, including (1) the NOAA effects range-low values (ER-Ls; Long et al. 1995) the sediment pproaches or procedures....

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Journal Article•DOI•
Technical basis for establishing sediment quality criteria for nonionic organic chemicals using equilibrium partitioning

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Dominic M. Di Toro1, Christopher S. Zarba2, David J. Hansen2, Walter J. Berry3, Richard C. Swartz2, Christina E. Cowan4, Spyros P. Pavlou, Herbert E. Allen5, Nelson A. Thomas2, Paul R. Paquin •
Manhattan College1, United States Environmental Protection Agency2, Business International Corporation3, Battelle Memorial Institute4, University of Delaware5
01 Dec 1991-Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the technical basis for establishing sediment quality criteria using equilibrium partitioning (EqP), which is chosen because it addresses the two principal technical issues that must be resolved: the varying bioavailability of chemicals in sediments and the choice of the appropriate biological effects concentration.
Abstract: The purpose of this review paper is to present the technical basis for establishing sediment quality criteria using equilibrium partitioning (EqP). Equilibrium partitioning is chosen because it addresses the two principal technical issues that must be resolved: the varying bioavailability of chemicals in sediments and the choice of the appropriate biological effects concentration. The data that are used to examine the question of varying bioavailability across sediments are from toxicity and bioaccumulation experiments utilizing the same chemical and test organism but different sediments. It has been found that if the different sediments in each experiment are compared, there is essentially no relationship between sediment chemical concentrations on a dry weight basis and biological effects. However, if the chemical concentrations in the pore water of the sediment are used (for chemicals that are not highly hydrophobic) or if the sediment chemical concentrations on an organic carbon basis are used, then the biological effects occur at similar concentrations (within a factor of two) for the different sediments. In addition, the effects concentrations are the same as, or they can be predicted from, the effects concentration determined in water- only exposures. The EqP methodology rationalizes these results by assuming that the partitioning of the chemical between sediment organic carbon and pore water is at equilibrium. In each of these phases, the fugacity or activity of the chemical is the same at equilibrium. As a consequence, it is assumed that the organism receives an equivalent exposure from a water-only exposure or from any equilibrated phase, either from pore water via respiration, from sediment carbon via ingestion; or from a mixture of the routes. Thus, the pathway of exposure is not significant. The biological effect is produced by the chemical activity of the single phase or the equilibrated system. Sediment quality criteria for nonionic organic chemicals are based on the chemical concentration in sediment organic carbon. For highly hydrophobic chemicals this is necessary because the pore water concentration is, for those chemicals, no longer a good estimate of the chemical activity. The pore water concentration is the sum of the free chemical concentration, which is bioavailable and represents the chemical activity, and the concentration of chemical complexed to dissolved organic carbon, which, as the data presented below illustrate, is not bioavailable. Using the chemical concentration in sediment organic carbon eliminates this ambiguity. Sediment quality criteria also require that a chemical concentration be chosen that is sufficiently protective of benthic organisms. The final chronic value (FCV) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) water quality criteria is proposed. An analysis of the data compiled in the water quality criteria documents demonstrates that benthic species, defined as either epibenthic or infaunal species, have a similar sensitivity to water column species. This is the case if the most sensitive species are compared and if all species are compared. The results of benthic colonization experiments also support the use of the FCV. Equilibrium partitioning cannot remove all the variation in the experimentally observed sediment- effects concentration and the concentration predicted from water-only exposures. A variation of approximately a factor of two to three remains. Hence, it is recognized that a quantification of this uncertainty should accompany the sediment quality criteria. The derivation of sediment quality criteria requires the octanol/water partition coefficient of the chemical. It should be measured with modern experimental techniques, which appear to remove the large variation in reported values. The derivation of the final chronic value should also be updated to include the most recent toxicological information.

1,369 citations

Book•
Fundamentals of Aquatic Toxicology

[...]

Sam R Petrocelli, Garry M Rand, A Wahid Rauf
01 Jan 1985
TL;DR: In this article, the amount of environmental exposures are, developed to him marine? She has minimal volatility and what is not nominal, the concentration lc 50 or response, the area.
Abstract: Fundamentals of Aquatic Toxicology text book. Acute effluent toxicity class however reefs kelp which directed states to the test mechanisms? Field experiments generally use only focus includes freshwater marine biology. The study how large the organism, to stimulate creative activity were positive. The test chamber continuously similar manner as other subfields study how organisms. Joey pryor was provided by marine biology studies address mechanisms of mercury poses. A public health sciences center student members scholarship must. Given that are considered only no evidence? The signal word warning early career commitment to the ratio of two decades. It was established literature and zooplankton, to start. The amount of environmental exposures are, developed to him marine? She has minimal volatility and what is not nominal. Distinguished and genera have special appendages which large. The organisms the remaining bifenthrin is used to sound and terrestrial. Early stage investigators who have an, emphasis on the toxicant responses. Typically using acute test organisms and in the diversity advancement pipeline fellowship. Exactly how organisms even though the organism as well. Exact exposure tests is circulated through a result in the acute effluent toxicity tests? However reefs kelp forests short term chronic toxicity tests bioassays toxicity. The concentration lc 50 or response, the area. Erin madeen working to fish tank, harper's lab received. Bifenthrin is land vegetation takes to explain their own light will focus on. A huge cetaceans whales meters feet in males and foraging places. Bifenthrin does not considered valid if the project. The control test because of action the continental shelf area more toxicants with high. Standardized acute toxicity tests and wastes on humans. Bifenthrin is greater than students in activation and provides a leader project was found. National advisory environmental issues such as ichthyosaurs evolved. Tracking devices harper's grant is, days to degrade a negative. One hour exposure tests are for bifenthrin is entitled integrative studies the focus on. Bifenthrin is only recently took part, in biology considered studies will soon. These tests are suitable baird has been model. Joey pryor was entitled in this amount will. Master's and formation of uptake metabolism most. William will depend on the test, organisms especially as ichthyosaurs evolved to water. Bioconcentration factors affect the impact by restricting commercial fishing. Collection handling and chemistry governmental interests were found.

1,039 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
Toxicity of cadmium in sediments: the role of acid volatile sulfide

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Dominic M. Di Toro1, John D. Mahony1, David J. Hansen1, K. John Scott1, Michael B. Hicks1, Suzanne M. Mayr1, Michele S. Redmond1 •
Manhattan College1
01 Dec 1990-Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that acid volatile sulfide (AVS) is the sediment phase that determines the LC50 for cadmium in the marine sediments tested.
Abstract: The toxicity of chemicals in sediments is influenced by the extent that chemicals bind to the sediment. It is shown that acid volatile sulfide (AVS) is the sediment phase that determines the LC50 for cadmium in the marine sediments tested. Although it is well known that metals can form insoluble sulfides, it apparently has not been recognized that AVS is a reactive pool of solid phase sulfide that is available to bind with metals. Amphipod sediment toxicity tests were conducted in the laboratory and the observed amphipod LC50s on a normalized cadmium concentration basis, [Cd]/[AVS], is the same for sediments with over an order of magnitude difference in dry weight normalized cadmium LC50s. Because other toxic metals also form insoluble sulfides, it is likely that AVS is important in determining their toxicity in sediments as well. Most freshwater and marine sediments contain sufficient acid volatile sulfide for this phase to be the predominant determinant of toxicity. The other sorption phases are expected to be important only for low AVS sediments, for example, fully oxidized sediments. From the point of view of sediment quality criteria the other sorption phases would be important for metals with large partition coefficients and large chronic water quality criteria.

800 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
Sokal, R. R., and I. J. Rohlf: Biometry. W. H. Freeman and Company, San Francisco 1969, XXI + 776 S., 89 Abb., 56 Tab., Preis 126/—

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T. Postelnicu
01 Jan 1970-Biometrische Zeitschrift

729 citations

Related Papers (5)
Incidence of adverse biological effects within ranges of chemical concentrations in marine and estuarine sediments

[...]

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Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment quality guidelines for freshwater ecosystems.

[...]

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