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Development and Evaluation of Polychaete Reverse Samplers for Marine Phase II Whole Sediment Toxicitiy Identification Evaluations (TIE)
Citation:
PERRON, M., R. M. BURGESS, K. T. HO, M. C. PELLETIER, C. L. Friedman, M. G. CANTWELL, AND J. P. Shine. Development and Evaluation of Polychaete Reverse Samplers for Marine Phase II Whole Sediment Toxicitiy Identification Evaluations (TIE). Presented at SETAC North American 29th Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL, November 16 - 20, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
Reverse polyethylene samplers (RePES) were developed and evaluated for use in Phase II of marine whole sediment toxicity identification evaluations (TIEs).
Description:
Marine and estuarine sediments accumulate contaminants and act as a sink for a wide range of toxic chemicals. As a result, the sediments themselves can become a source of contamination. At sufficient levels, contaminated sediments can cause benthic impairments and toxicity to marine organisms. Among the wide range of pollutants, nonionic organic contaminants (NOCs) have been shown to be a primary cause of toxicity in marine sediments. Toxicity Identification Evaluations (TIEs) are used to characterize and identify chemicals causing toxicity in effluents, interstitial waters, and whole sediments with whole organism endpoints. Phase I whole sediment TIE methods for NOCs exist, but the development of Phase II methods for NOCs is a current research challenge. In this paper, the use of reverse polyethylene samplers (RePES) for Phase II methods is examined. Various RePES designs were evaluated in an experimental design study with NOC solvent solutions. During method development, these NOC solvent solutions served as surrogates for sediment extracts. Based on equilibration time and proximity of measured NOC water concentrations in the reconstituted system to theoretical concentrations, a non-triolein design with loading of NOC solvent solutions on the inside of the polyethylene tubing was chosen as most effective. A partitioning study demonstrated NOCs partitioned between the RePES and water, as well as between the water and air, as expected using this non-triolein RePES design. Lastly, a study was conducted using the RePES with extracts of contaminant spiked sediments. Toxicity results generated using the RePES were compared to those generated by the whole sediment exposures. The RePES design was capable of successfully recreating the toxicity, as well as water concentrations observed with the intact sediments. Future research will focus on the use of the RePES with a field sediment strongly suspected to be toxic due to NOCs.