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A field validation of two sediment-amphipod toxicity tests
Steven P Ferraro1, Faith A Cole
1US Environmental Protection Agency, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, Oregon 97365-5260, USA. ferraro.steven@epa.gov
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
|July 12, 2002
Summary
Standard sediment-amphipod toxicity tests accurately reflect ecological impacts, validating their use in lab-to-field extrapolations for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contaminated sites. These tests are reliable indicators of changes in macrofaunal communities.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Marine Ecology
- Ecotoxicology
Background:
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are significant contaminants at Superfund sites, impacting marine ecosystems.
- Sediment-amphipod toxicity tests are laboratory methods used to assess the ecological risk of contaminated sediments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the ecological relevance of two standard sediment-amphipod toxicity tests (using Rhepoxynius abronius and Leptocheirus plumulosus) against field-observed macrofaunal community changes.
- To determine if these toxicity tests can be extrapolated from laboratory conditions to field conditions in PAH-contaminated environments.
Main Methods:
- Conducted 10-day sediment-amphipod toxicity tests on samples from a PAH-contaminated Superfund site.
- Analyzed sediments for 33 PAHs, other contaminants, and geochemical properties.
- Assessed macrofaunal community structure (species number, abundance, biomass, dominance, diversity).
- Used correlation and regression analyses to associate toxicity test results with macrofaunal endpoints and PAH concentrations.
Main Results:
- Total PAH toxic units (TU(PAH)) were identified as a key factor causing changes in both toxicity test results and macrofaunal community structure.
- The sensitivities of R. abronius and L. plumulosus to TU(PAH) were statistically similar.
- Toxicity test results were validated as indicators of changes in species number, abundance, dominance, and diversity, demonstrating ecological relevance.
- Some multivariable statistical tests yielded false positives, but the core findings were robust.
Conclusions:
- Standard sediment-amphipod toxicity tests are ecologically relevant and provide valid indicators of environmental stress.
- Under appropriate conditions, results from these laboratory tests can be reliably extrapolated to field conditions.
- These validated tests can aid in assessing the ecological risks posed by PAH-contaminated sediments.