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Journal ArticleDOI

Predictions of Sediment Toxicity Using Consensus-Based Freshwater Sediment Quality Guidelines

TL;DR: 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.

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , the role of pavement dust and coal-tar pavement sealant (CTS) as a source of PAHs and metals in urban streambed sediment is investigated.
Abstract: Metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common pollutants in urban streambed sediment, yet their occurrence is highly variable and difficult to predict. To investigate sources of PAHs and metals to streambed sediment, we sampled pavement dust, soil, and streambed sediment in 10 urban watersheds in three regions of the United States and applied a fallout-radionuclide-based sediment-source analysis to quantify the pavement dust contribution to stream sediment (%dust). We also mapped the area of sealcoated pavement in each watershed (%sealed) to investigate the role of coal-tar pavement sealant (CTS) as a PAH source. Median total and carbon-normalized total PAH concentrations were significantly higher in streambed sediment in the Northeast (54.3 mg/kg and 2.71 mg/gOC) and Southeast (5.37 mg/kg and 1.36 mg/gOC), where CTS is commonly used, than in the Northwest (2.11 mg/kg and 0.071 mg/gOC), where CTS is rarely used. Generalized additive models indicated that %sealed and in some cases %dust significantly affected total PAH concentrations in streambed sediments. The %dust was a significant variable for common urban metals: Cu, Pb, and Zn. These findings advance our quantitative understanding of the role of pavement dust as a source and a vector of contaminants to urban streams.

4 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: For example, in this paper, background threshold values have been developed for a large suite of sediment quality parameters from 969 lakes spanning the conterminous United States (U.S.), which provide a statistical basis for estimating current ambient background, which refers to chemical and physical concentrations derived from natural and/or widespread diffuse anthropogenic sources (e.g., nonpoint sources like atmospheric deposition and land runoff).

4 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Calibrating nationwide models to a regional data set may be both a more efficient and effective approach for improving model performance than developing region-specific models.
Abstract: The present study describes approaches to improve the performance of empirical models developed from a large nationwide data set to predict sediment toxicity from chemistry for regional applications. The authors developed 4 multiple chemical (PMax) models selected from individual chemical models developed using 1) a previously published approach applied to the nationwide data set; 2) a broader array of response and explanatory variables (e.g., different normalization approaches and toxicity classifications) applied to the nationwide data set; 3) a data set from the New York/New Jersey, USA, region; and 4) both nationwide and regional data sets. The models were calibrated using the regional data set. Performance was tested using an independent data set from the same region. The performance of the final PMax model developed using the calibration process substantially improved over that of the uncalibrated PMax model developed using the nationwide data set. The improvements were achieved by selecting the best performing individual chemical models and eliminating those that performed poorly when applied together. Although the best performing PMax model included both nationwide and region-specific models, the performance of the PMax model derived using only nationwide models was nearly as good. These results suggest that calibrating nationwide models to a regional data set may be both a more efficient and effective approach for improving model performance than developing region-specific models. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:708–717. © 2013 SETAC. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

3 citations

OtherDOI
01 Jan 2004
TL;DR: The Riverways Program as discussed by the authors was established within the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (previously the Department of Environmental Law Enforcement) in 1987 in recognition that river and stream corridors are a crucial component of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’s ecological infrastructure and that protection of these watershed resources could not be accomplished through land acquisition alone.
Abstract: The Riverways Program was established within the Department of Fish and Game (previously the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Environmental Law Enforcement) in 1987 in recognition that river and stream corridors are a crucial component of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’s ecological infrastructure and that protection of these watershed resources could not be accomplished through land acquisition alone. Riverways encourages and supports local river-protection initiatives as a vital complement to state action. The mission of the program is to promote the restoration and protection of the ecological integrity of the Commonwealth’s watersheds, rivers, streams, and adjacent lands (www.massriverways.org).

3 citations


Cites background from "Predictions of Sediment Toxicity Us..."

  • ...By comparing contaminant concentrations to sediment-quality guidelines, known as probable effects concentrations, sediment quality is quantifiable in terms of potential adverse biological effects to benthic organisms, which live and feed in the river bottom and are an important food source for much of the other life in the river ( Ingersoll et al., 2000 )....

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  • ...More importantly, PCBs were most responsible for predicted toxicity ( Ingersoll et al., 2000 )....

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References
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Journal ArticleDOI
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


"Predictions of Sediment Toxicity Us..." refers background in this paper

  • ...…concentrations because previous studies have demonstrated that normalization of SQGs for PAHs or PCBs to total organic carbon (Barrick et al. 1988, Long et al. 1995, Ingersoll et al. 1996) or normalization of metals to acidvolatile sulfides (Long et al. 1998b) did not improve the predictions of…...

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  • ...Similarly, Long et al. (1998a) reported a 56 to 71% incidence of toxicity at mean quotients of >1....

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Journal ArticleDOI
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


"Predictions of Sediment Toxicity Us..." refers background or methods or result in this paper

  • ...The TECs were calculated by determining the geometric mean of the SQGs that were included in this category (MacDonald et al. 2000a)....

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  • ...…results of these three previous investigations demonstrated that the consensus-based SQGs provide a unifying synthesis of the existing guidelines, reflect causal rather than correlative effects, and account for the effects of contaminant mixtures in sediment (Swartz 1999, MacDonald et al. 2000a,b)....

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  • ...A second paper developed and evaluated consensus-based SQGs for total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to address a similar mixture paradox for that group of contaminants (MacDonald et al. 2000b)....

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  • ...The consensus-based PECs listed in Table 1 were critically evaluated by MacDonald et al. (2000a) to determine if they would provide effective tools for assessing sediment quality conditions in freshwater ecosystems....

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  • ...Therefore, the differences in this “MPP approach” from the approach used by MacDonald et al. (2000a) are: (1) an average quotient for metals was used instead of the individual quotients for metals and (2) sum DDE was not used in the calculation....

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Journal ArticleDOI
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


"Predictions of Sediment Toxicity Us..." refers background or methods or result in this paper

  • ...Alternatively, Long et al. (1998a) classified sediments in a marine amphipod database as either marginally toxic (significantly reduced relative to the control) or as highly toxic (significantly reduced relative to the control with a reduction greater than a minimum significant difference; MSD)....

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  • ...Long et al. (1998a) and Field et al. (1999) reported reduced variability in the relationship between toxicity and sediment contamination when toxicity was evaluated using a standardized approach....

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  • ...The incidence of toxicity was only 12% at mean quotients of <0.1 (quotients calculated using either marine effect range median (ERM) or probable effect level (PEL) guidelines; Long et al. 1998a)....

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  • ...Long et al. (1998a) also observed an elevated incidence of toxicity with marine amphipods at low mean quotients....

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  • ...For this reason, the evaluation of the predictive ability of the SQGs in the present study was conducted to determine the incidence of effects above and below various mean PEC quotients (mean quotients of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0; Ingersoll et al. 1998, Long et al. 1998a, Fairey et al. 2000)....

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01 Mar 1990

657 citations


"Predictions of Sediment Toxicity Us..." refers background or methods in this paper

  • ...Alternatively, Long et al. (1998a) classified sediments in a marine amphipod database as either marginally toxic (significantly reduced relative to the control) or as highly toxic (significantly reduced relative to the control with a reduction greater than a minimum significant difference; MSD). The MSD was established by Long et al. (1998a) using a power analysis of data from 10-day marine amphipod tests (Thursby et al....

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  • ...Alternatively, Long et al. (1998a) classified sediments in a marine amphipod database as either marginally toxic (significantly reduced relative to the control) or as highly toxic (significantly reduced relative to the control with a reduction greater than a minimum significant difference; MSD)....

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