Toxicity of copper in an oxic stream sediment receiving aquaculture effluent

Sediments were collected from a stream (upstream, outfall and downstream) receiving copper laden catfish pond effluent to assess toxicity to non-target biota. No significant reduction in Hyalella azteca survival or growth (10 d), or Typha latifolia germination and root and shoot growth (7 d) were observed after exposure to upstream and outfall sediments. A significant reduction in H. azteca survival was observed after exposure to the downstream sediment sample; however, no reduction in T. latifolia germination or seedling growth was detected. Bulk sediment copper concentrations in the upstream, outfall and downstream samples were 29, 31, and 25 mg Cu/kg dry weight, respectively. Interstitial water (IW) concentrations ranged from 0.053 to 0.14 mg Cu/l with 10 d IW toxicity units > or = 0.7. Outfall samples were amended with additional concentrations of copper sulfate so that bulk sediment measured concentrations in the amended samples were 172, 663, 1245, and 1515 mg Cu/kg dry weight. Survival was the most sensitive endpoint examined with respect to H. azteca with a no observed effects concentration (NOEC) and lowest observed effects concentration (LOEC) of 1245 and 1515 mg Cu/kg, respectively. NOEC and LOEC for T. latifolia root growth were 663 and 1245 mg Cu/kg, respectively. IW copper concentrations were > or = 0.86 mg Cu/l with H. azteca intersitial water toxicity unit (IWTU) concentrations > or = 1.2. Sequential extraction qualitatively revealed the carbonate and iron oxide fractions which accounted for a majority of the copper binding. In this instance, the copper which was applied to catfish ponds does not appear to be adversely impacting the receiving stream system.