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 tar residuals in sediment to aquatic communities. Sediments are often a focus of investigations at former Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) sites, but data on the impacts of coal tar residuals on aquatic organisms are scant. In particular, the applicability of USEPA’s Equilibrium Partitioning approach (as outlined in the 2000 draft guidance document for PAH mixtures) to the suite of PAHs found in coal tar has not been tested. This paper, part of Phase I of this project, presents an experimental design and rationale for the most appropriate tests to determine safe or acceptable concentrations of coal PAHs in sediment based on toxicity to invertebrates. Our tiered approach is developed on the basis of a conceptual model that is specific to the physicalchemical conditions found at MGP sites.