Using marine bioassays to classify the toxicity of Dutch harbor sediments.
A procedure was developed to assess contaminated marine sediments from Dutch harbors for possible adverse biological effects using three laboratory bioassays: A 10-d survival test with the amphipod Corophium volutator, a 14-d survival test with the heart urchin Echinocardium cordatum (adults), and the bioluminescence inhibition test with the bacterium Vibrio fischeri (Microtox solid phase test LSP]). Microtox results were mathematically corrected for the modifying influence of fine sediment particles. After a validation procedure on test performance and modifying factors, respectively, 81%, 99%, and 90% of the amphipod, heart urchin, and Microtox results were approved. Lower and upper threshold limits for biological effects were set at respectively 24 and 30% mortality for C. volutator, 27 and 35% mortality for E. cordatum, and 24 and 48 toxic units for the Microtox SP based on significant differences with control sediment and the performance of reference sediments. The bioassays clearly distinguished harbor sediments that give rise to acute effects and those that do not. Threshold limits for the amphipods, heart urchins, and bacteria were exceeded in, respectively, 9 to 17%, 33 to 40%, and 23 to 50% of the sediment samples. Highest effects were observed in sediments from the northerly harbors; there was significantly less response in sediments from the Delta Region and the port of Rotterdam (The Netherlands). The procedure outlined in this paper can be used for routine screening of contaminated dredged material that is proposed for open water disposal.
Stronkhorst
Joost
J
National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management/RIKZ, PO Box 20907, 2500 EX The Hague, The Netherlands. j.stronkhorst@rikz.rws.minvenw.nl
Schipper
Cor
C
Brils
Jos
J
Dubbeldam
Marco
M
Postma
Jaap
J
van de Hoeven
Nelly
N
D033304:Amphipoda; D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D009426:Netherlands; D012617:Sea Urchins; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014733:Vibrio / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*
D014873:Water Pollutants