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Evaluation of Reduced Sediment Volume Procedures for Acute Toxicity Tests Using the Estuarine Amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus
Citation:
STANLEY, J. K., A. J. KENNEDY, J. D. FARRAR, D. R. MOUNT, AND J. A. STEEVENS. Evaluation of Reduced Sediment Volume Procedures for Acute Toxicity Tests Using the Estuarine Amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Pensacola, FL, 29(12):2769-2776, (2010).
Impact/Purpose:
Our results indicate that the current U.S. EPA method is preferable to the reduced sediment volume methods we assessed, but that a 250 ml beaker / 10 organism experimental design is of comparable utility and may be advantageous when reduced sediment volumes are desirable due to high contaminant (spiking studies) and/or sediment disposal costs. In addition, the results of the current study also provide valuable toxicity reference values for PAHs, lead, and an oil surrogate for petroleum hydrocarbons.
Description:
The volume of sediment required to perform a sediment toxicity bioassay is a major driver of the overall cost associated with that bioassay. Sediment volume affects bioassay cost due to sediment collection, transportation, storage, and disposal costs as well as labor costs associated with organism recovery at the conclusion of the exposure. Our objective was to determine the plausibility for a reduced sediment volume version of the standard U.S. EPA 10-d acute Leptocheirus plumulosus method that utilizes a beaker size of 1000 ml and 20 organisms. Our test design evaluated the effects of beaker size (250 and 100 ml) and associated sediment volume as well as organism loading density (10 and 20 organisms) on test endpoint responsiveness relative to the standard 10-d test method. These comparisons were completed with three different types of contaminated sediments: a field-collected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contaminated sediment, a lead spiked control sediment, and a control sediment spiked with mineral oil. Our assessment criteria included test endpoint sensitivity, endpoint consistency, statistical power, water quality, and logistical assessments. Our results indicate that the current U.S. EPA method is preferable to the reduced sediment volume methods we assessed, but that a 250 ml beaker / 10 organism experimental design is of comparable utility and may be advantageous when reduced sediment volumes are desirable due to high contaminant (spiking studies) and/or sediment disposal costs. In addition, the results of the current study also provide valuable toxicity reference values for PAHs, lead, and an oil surrogate for petroleum hydrocarbons.