You are here:
Mapping & modeling biota-sediment accumulation factors in fish for habitat restoration projects
Citation:
Hollenhorst, T., J. Launspach, J. Hoffman, AND L. Burkhard. Mapping & modeling biota-sediment accumulation factors in fish for habitat restoration projects. MN GIS/LIS Consortium, Duluth, MN, October 03 - 05, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
In Great Lakes Areas of Concern, there is increasing awareness of the potential for human uses such as fishing and kayaking in contaminant sides post-remediation. Maximizing the community benefits of these remediation projects is a primary goal under the Remediation to Restoration to Revitalization (R2R2R) framework. As part of health impact assessment (HIA) of a large habitat restoration and remediation project in the St. Louis River Area of Concern, we developed a geospatial Biota-Sediment Accumulation Factors (BSAF) to assess the human health risk of consuming fish based on dioxin and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds in surficial sediments. Based on the model output and its role in the HIA, we conclude the tool has utility in the context of remedy assessment, remedy effectiveness, and stakeholder engagement .
Description:
Our objective is to develop and validate geospatial models that predict contaminant concentrations in St. Louis River estuary fishes based on available sediment data. We compiled and mapped contaminated sediment data for dioxin, furan and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) for the St. Louis River Area of Concern (AOC) as part of a health impact assessment for the proposed Kingsbury Bay Grassy Point habitat restoration project. First, we identified 30 dioxin and dioxin-like PCB compounds that were measured from surface sediment samples gathered throughout the St. Louis River AOC from 1992 to 2017. Data were subsequently normalized for bioavailability based on surface sediment total organic carbon (TOC) content. Toxic Equivalent Factors (TEFs) based on human health and Mean Biota-Sediment Accumulation Factors (BSAF) were identified for each compound, and used to calculate dioxin Toxic Equivalent Factors (TEQ) for fish.These TEQ values were then interpolated across the area and incorporated into a fish occupancy model to diagnose potential areas where sediment conditions could cause fish tissue to exceed health criteria. We found that these areas were not widespread, and restricted to a few known areas previously identified as priority areas for remediation. We further used the model to assess the possible health impacts of the planned restoration via potential changes in consumption advisories within the restoration project area. We conclude the tool has utility in the context of remedy assessment, remedy effectiveness, and stakeholder engagement.