Toxicity of 1,4-dichlorobenzene in sediments to juvenile polychaete worms.
Investigation of sediment contamination associated with a marine sewage outfall in Victoria (BC, Canada) found elevated concentrations of 1,4-dichlorobenzene (1,4-DCB). Juvenile polychaete worm (Neanthes) growth was significantly reduced at or near the outfall, roughly corresponding to elevated 1,4-DCB concentrations. There are few data on 1,4-DCB toxicity to marine organisms and no published literature on its toxicity to benthic marine organisms. To determine whether reduced polychaete growth (measured as dry weight) was due to 1,4-DCB exposure, a laboratory investigation was conducted. Uncontaminated marine sediment was spiked with 1,4-DCB and juvenile Neanthes were exposed in 20-d sublethal toxicity tests. There were no adverse effects on survival at any test concentration; mean survival was 80-100%. Statistically significant decreases in average dry weight only occurred at the highest 1,4-DCB concentration (19,900 microg/kg, dry weight); this represented a 1,4-DCB concentration more than 10 times higher than previously measured at the outfall (1,710 microg/kg, dry weight). There were no adverse effects on survival or dry weight at the range of concentrations previously measured in sediments from the vicinity of the outfall.
McPherson
Cathy A
CA
EVS Environment Consultants, 195 Pemberton Avenue, North Vancouver, BC, Canada V7P 2R4. cmcpherson@evsenvironment.com
Tang
Armando
A
Chapman
Peter M
PM
Taylor
Laura A
LA
Gormican
Stephen J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D002722:Chlorobenzenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D011077:Polychaeta; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012722:Sewage; D014739:Victoria; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
D002722:Chlorobenzenes; D012722:Sewage; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C018511:4-dichlorobenzene