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Use of a Novel Sediment Exposure to Determine the Effects of Triclosan on Estuarine Benthic Communities
Citation:
HO, K. T., A. A. Chariton, L. M. PORTIS, D. PROESTOU, M. G. CANTWELL, J. G. Baguley, R. M. BURGESS, S. Simpson, M. C. PELLETIER, M. PERRON, C. K. Gunsch, H. M. Bik, D. R. KATZ, AND A. Kamikawa. Use of a Novel Sediment Exposure to Determine the Effects of Triclosan on Estuarine Benthic Communities. ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Pensacola, FL, 32(2):384-392, (2013).
Impact/Purpose:
This paper describes the effects of triclosan on meio- and macro-benthic marine communities. It describes a novel system of whole benthic community exposure that is a promising method to evaluate effects on intact marine benthic communities. Triclosan concentrations greater than 180 mg/kg dry weight had a significant effect on both meio- and macro benthic communities. There were no discernable differences in the Low Triclosan treatment (14 mg/kg dry weight dry). This exposure method is effective for testing benthic community response to sediment contaminants, but improvements should be made as to the amount and method of applying the overlying sediment to prevent smothering of fragile benthic organisms.
Description:
Triclosan (5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol) is a relatively new, commonly used antimicrobial compound found in many personal care products. Triclosan is toxic to marine organisms at the ug/l level, can photo-degrade to a dioxin, accumulate in humans, and has been found to be stable in marine sediments for over 30 years. To determine the effects of triclosan on marine benthic communities, we brought intact sediment cores into the laboratory and held them under flowing seawater conditions. A two cm layer of triclosan-spiked sediment was applied to the surface, and after a two-week exposure the meio- and macrofaunal communities were assessed for differences in composition relative to non-spiked core. The High Triclosan treatment (180 mg/kg dry weight) affected both the meio- and macro benthic communities. There were no discernable differences in the Low Triclosan treatment (14 mg/kg dry weight dry). This exposure method is effective for testing benthic community response to sediment contaminants, but improvements should be made as to the amount and method of applying the overlying sediment to prevent smothering of fragile benthic organisms.