ASSESSING THE TOXICITY OF SEDIMENTS AT MGP SITES TO AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES

摘要

This paper presents a multi-phased project to assess the ecological impact of coal tarrnresiduals in sediment to aquatic communities. Sediments are often a focus of investigations atrnformer Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) sites, but data on the impacts of coal tar residuals onrnaquatic organisms are scant. In particular, the applicability of USEPA’s Equilibrium Partitioningrnapproach (as outlined in the 2000 draft guidance document for PAH mixtures) to the suite ofrnPAHs found in coal tar has not been tested. This paper, part of Phase I of this project, presentsrnan experimental design and rationale for the most appropriate tests to determine safe orrnacceptable concentrations of coal PAHs in sediment based on toxicity to invertebrates. Ourrntiered approach is developed on the basis of a conceptual model that is specific to the physicalchemicalrnconditions found at MGP sites.