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DEVELOPMENT OF A TIE METHOD FOR CHARACTERIZING ANIONIC METALS IN MARINE SEDIMENTS
Citation:
Burgess, R M., K T. Ho, J R. Serbst, M. M. Perron, M Pelletier, S Ryba, AND M Cantwell. DEVELOPMENT OF A TIE METHOD FOR CHARACTERIZING ANIONIC METALS IN MARINE SEDIMENTS. Presented at Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Austin, TX, November 9-13, 2003.
Description:
Several methods have been developed for characterizing and identifying toxicants in whole marine sediments including organic pollutants, cationic metals and ammonia. To date, a method for characterizing sediment toxicity caused by metals which form anionic complexes such as arsenic, chromium and selenium has been unavailable. Anionic metals present in sediments are known to contaminate several sites around North America at levels which may represent risks to benthic populations. In this presentation, we will report on a comparison of three anion exchange resins for potential use in whole marine sediment TIEs. The three resins included weak base, strong base and chromate selective anion exchange materials evaluated with a variety of arsenic, chromium and selenium amended waters and sediments. Effectiveness of the resins was evaluated with a TIE experimental design using a marine amphipod, Ampelisca abdita, and mysid, Americamysis bahia, as well as chemical measurements. All three anion exchange resins were non-toxic when tested in control sediments and successfully reduced concentrations of arsenic, chromium and selenium from amended waters and sediment overlying waters. The weak base and chromium selective anion exchange resins were most effective at reducing toxicity to the two marine species while the strong base anion exchange resin was less consistently effective. These data support the use of either a weak base or chromium selective anion exchange resin for conducting whole marine sediment TIEs.