You are here:
Sediment Toxicity Testing
Citation:
Simpson, S., O. Campana, AND K. Ho. Sediment Toxicity Testing. Chapter 7, J. Blasco, P.M. Chapman, O. Campana, M. Hampel (ed.), Marine Ecotoxicology:Current Knowledge and Future Issues. Academic Press Incorporated, Orlando, FL, , 199-237, (2016).
Impact/Purpose:
This product summarizes the key types of marine sediment tests available today, discusses their strengths and weakness, and how they contribute to regulatory science and the scientific community. It also discusses the trends in sediment toxicity and the next steps in sediment toxicity testing
Description:
Sediment toxicity testing has become a fundamental component of regulatory frameworks for assessing the risks posed by contaminated sediments and for development of chemical sediment quality guidelines. Over the past two decades, sediment toxicity testing methods have advanced considerably, with tests now providing greater environmental relevance. There is better understanding of species sensitivity to contaminants, organism behaviour, exposure pathways, and design considerations necessary to provide relevant exposure conditions. Advances in our understanding of how chemical bioavailability influences toxicity, and the increased range of sublethal endpoints used for assessment, have resulted in the need for improved guidance on how to design tests, what to measure and monitor, and how to interpret results in order to achieve sound test outcomes. This chapter describes important considerations and procedures for sediment toxicity testing in estuarine and marine environments.
