Journal ArticleDOI
Predictions of Sediment Toxicity Using Consensus-Based Freshwater Sediment Quality Guidelines
Christopher G. Ingersoll,Donald D. MacDonald,N. Wang,Judy L. Crane,L. J. Field,Pamela S. Haverland,Nile E. Kemble,R. A. Lindskoog,Corinne G. Severn,D. E. Smorong +9 more
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Analytical results indicate that the consensus-based PECs can be used to reliably predict toxicity of sediments on both a regional and national basis and that the different patterns in toxicity may be the result of unique chemical signals associated with individual contaminants in samples.Abstract:
The objectives of this study were to compare approaches for evaluating the combined effects of chemical mixtures on the toxicity in field-collected sediments and to evaluate the ability of consensus-based probable effect concentrations (PECs) to predict toxicity in a freshwater database on both a national and regional geographic basis. A database was developed from 92 published reports, which included a total of 1,657 samples with high-quality matching sediment toxicity and chemistry data from across North America. The database was comprised primarily of 10- to 14-day or 28- to 42-day toxicity tests with the amphipod Hyalella azteca (designated as the HA10 or HA28 tests) and 10- to 14-day toxicity tests with the midges Chironomus tentans or C. riparius (designated as the CS10 test). Mean PEC quotients were calculated to provide an overall measure of chemical contamination and to support an evaluation of the combined effects of multiple contaminants in sediments. There was an overall increase in the incidence of toxicity with an increase in the mean quotients in all three tests. A consistent increase in the toxicity in all three tests occurred at a mean quotient > 0.5, however, the overall incidence of toxicity was greater in the HA28 test compared to the short-term tests. The longer-term tests, in which survival and growth are measured, tend to be more sensitive than the shorter-term tests, with acute to chronic ratios on the order of six indicated for H. azteca. Different patterns were observed among the various procedures used to calculate mean quotients. For example, in the HA28 test, a relatively abrupt increase in toxicity was associated with elevated polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) alone or with elevated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) alone, compared to the pattern of a gradual increase in toxicity observed with quotients calculated using a combination of metals, PAHs, and PCBs. These analyses indicate that the different patterns in toxicity may be the result of unique chemical signals associated with individual contaminants in samples. Though mean quotients can be used to classify samples as toxic or nontoxic, individual quotients might be useful in helping identify substances that may be causing or substantially contributing to the observed toxicity. An increase in the incidence of toxicity was observed with increasing mean quotients within most of the regions, basins, and areas in North America for all three toxicity tests. The results of these analyses indicate that the consensus-based PECs can be used to reliably predict toxicity of sediments on both a regional and national basis.read more
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Aquatic assessment of the Ely Copper Mine Superfund site, Vershire, Vermont
Robert R. Seal,Richard G. Kiah,Nadine M. Piatak,John M. Besser,James F. Coles,Jane M. Hammarstrom,Denise M. Argue,Denise M. Levitan,Jeffrey R. Deacon,Christopher G. Ingersoll +9 more
TL;DR: In this paper, the aquatic ecosystem at the site was assessed using a variety of approaches that investigated surface-water quality, sediment quality, and various ecological indicators of streamecosystem health.
Journal ArticleDOI
Using the Sediment Quality Triad to characterize baseline conditions in the Anacostia River, Washington, DC, USA
Beth L. McGee,Beth L. McGee,Alfred E. Pinkney,David J. Velinsky,Jeffrey T. F. Ashley,Daniel J. Fisher,Leonard C. Ferrington,Teresa J. Norberg-King +7 more
TL;DR: Qualitative and quantitative comparisons with sediment quality benchmarks indicated no clear relationship between benthic community health and contaminant concentrations, and this study provides a baseline for assessing the effectiveness of management actions in the Anacostia River.
Journal ArticleDOI
Environmental Risk of Metal Contamination in Sediments of Tropical Reservoirs.
Gabrielle Rabelo Quadra,Gabrielle Rabelo Quadra,Adan Santos Lino,Anna Sobek,Olaf Malm,Nathan Barros,Yago Guida,J.R. Thomaz,Raquel Mendonça,Simone Jaqueline Cardoso,Carlos Henrique Duque Estrada,Felipe Rust,Fábio Roland +12 more
TL;DR: The mixture toxicity assessment showed an increased incidence of toxicity to aquatic organisms showing that mixture toxicity should be taken into account in sediment assessment criteria.
Journal ArticleDOI
Effects of simulated CO2 escape from sediments on the development of midge Chironomus riparius
TL;DR: Investigation of the acidification of freshwater caused by potential CO2 gas seepage from sediment layers in riparian sediments revealed that acidification is an important factor controlling the development of the midges, and suggests that acidity factor could seriously diminish the vitality of midge larvae and ability to produce offspring.
Journal ArticleDOI
Palaeotoxicity: reconstructing the risk of multiple sedimentary pollutants to freshwater organisms
TL;DR: While chironomid growth and daphniid reproduction were significantly reduced compared to controls at 5 out of 7, and all lakes, respectively, the scale of these reductions showed only limited quantitative agreement with predicted risk.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI
Incidence of adverse biological effects within ranges of chemical concentrations in marine and estuarine sediments
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.
Journal ArticleDOI
Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment quality guidelines for freshwater ecosystems.
TL;DR: It was concluded that the consensus-based SQGs provide a reliable basis for assessing sediment quality conditions in freshwater ecosystems.
Journal ArticleDOI
Predicting toxicity in marine sediments with numerical sediment quality guidelines
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.