The mismatch between bioaccumulation in field and laboratory environments: Interpreting the differences for metals in benthic bivalves.
Laboratory-based bioaccumulation and toxicity bioassays are frequently used to predict the ecological risk of contaminated sediments in the field. This study investigates the bioassay conditions most relevant to achieving environmentally relevant field exposures. An identical series of metal-contaminated marine sediments were deployed in the field and laboratory over 31 days. Changes in metal concentrations and partitioning in both sediments and waters were used to interpret differences in metal exposure and bioaccumulation to the benthic bivalve Tellina deltoidalis. Loss of resuspended sediments and deposition of suspended particulate matter from the overlying water resulted in the concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn (major contaminants) becoming lower in the 1-cm surface layer of field-deployed sediments. Lower exchange rates of overlying waters in the laboratory resulted in higher dissolved metal exposures. The prediction of metal bioaccumulation by the bivalves in field and laboratory was improved by considering the metal partitioning within the surface sediments.
AZTI/Marine Research Division, Herrera kaia, Portualdea z/g, 20110 Pasaia, Spain; Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research, CSIRO Land and Water, Locked Bag 2007, Kirrawee, NSW 2234, Australia. Electronic address: jbelzunce@azti.es.
Maria J
MJ
Belzunce-Segarra
Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research, CSIRO Land and Water, Locked Bag 2007, Kirrawee, NSW 2234, Australia. Electronic address: stuart.simpson@csiro.au.
Stuart L
SL
Simpson
Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research, CSIRO Land and Water, Locked Bag 2007, Kirrawee, NSW 2234, Australia; School of Chemistry, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
Elvio D
ED
Amato
Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research, CSIRO Land and Water, Locked Bag 2007, Kirrawee, NSW 2234, Australia.
David A
DA
Spadaro
Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research, CSIRO Land and Water, Locked Bag 2007, Kirrawee, NSW 2234, Australia.
Ian L
IL
Hamilton
Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research, CSIRO Land and Water, Locked Bag 2007, Kirrawee, NSW 2234, Australia.
Chad V
CV
Jarolimek
School of Chemistry, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
Dianne F
DF
Jolley
D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000378:metabolism*; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D007753:Laboratories; D008670:Metals / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*
D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Benthic bivalve; Chronic sediment toxicity; Condition-index; Exposure routes; In situ bioassays; Metal bioavailability