Effects of Sediment Holding Time on Sediment Toxicity. Puget Sound EstuaryProgram

摘要

Four of the sediment bioassays commonly used to assess the toxicity of PugetSound sediments were used to evaluate the influence of sample holding time on the toxicity of sediment samples collected from a highly contaminated site and a reference area in the sound. The four sediment bioassays evaluated included the following: 10-day amphipod mortality test, 20-day Neanthes biomass test, 15 minute Microtox test (saline extract), 48-hour echinoderm embryo abnormality test. The results of the amphipod mortality test suggests that sediment holding times longer than 6 weeks may result in bioassay responses that are substantially different from those observed after a 2-week holding time. The results from the Neanthes biomass test indicate that holding times of 6 weeks or longer may result in bioassay responses that are different from those observed after a 1 week holding time. The results of the Microtox test suggests that sediment holding times of 4 weeks or longer may result in bioassay responses that are substantially different from those observed after a 2-week holding time. The results of the echinoderm embryo abnormality test were not evaluated.