Abstract |
The study evaluated the relative performance of several bioassays used to assess toxicity of Puget Sound sediments. Selected bioassays were conducted simultaneously on the same array of sediment samples, and direct comparisons were made among the various tests in relation to specific performance criteria. The bioassays and toxicity endpoints evaluated included the following: Amphipod test (Rhepoxynius abronius), percent mortality and abnormality; Amphipod test (Eohaustorius estuarius), percent mortality and abnormality; Juvenile geoduck (Panope generosa), percent mortality; Juvenile polychaete (Neanthes arenaceodentata), percent mortality and percent reduced biomass; Echinoderm embryo test (Dendraster excentricus), percent developmental abnormality and chromosomal abnormality; Bivalve larvae test (Mytilus edulis, Crassostera gigas), percent abnormal development; Microtox saline and organic extract (Photobacterium phosphoreum), percent decrease in luminescence. The 11 evaluation criteria included: dose responsiveness, sensitivity, statistical power, cost-effectiveness, ecological relevance, ease of use, availability of test organisms, endpoint reliability, relationship to indigenous biota, holding constraints, and stage of protocol development. |