Sediment Toxicity Bioassays for Assessment of Contaminated Sites in the Nervion River (Northern Spain). 2. Tubifex tubifex Reproduction Sediment Bioassay

Abstract

Toxicity assessment based on sediment chronic bioassays with the aquatic worm Tubifex tubifex was performed at ten contaminated sites in the industrial area of Bilbao (Northern Spain). One control and three reference sites were also included. Tubifex bioassay measures both survival and reproduction impairment. These endpoints have been contrasted and discussed in relation to somatic growth and both individual and total biomass of cocoons. Survival was only affected at one site which was heavily contaminated by organic compounds, mainly PAHs. A group of four severely ecotoxic sediments was characterised by a drastic reduction in number and size of cocoons, and adult somatic growth. In other group of sediments, some significant increases were found for these variables. It is suggested that these increases represent an effect of hormesis. An index of reproductive effort was used to integrate the relationship between somatic growth and reproduction. Values of reproductive effort at the test sediments were lower than those at the control sediment, suggesting a conservative strategy of oligochaete worms which consisted in an investment into somatic line (growth) at the expenses of offspring. Rates of food consumption which were estimated from egestion rates, were low at the contaminated sites. This fact could be related to the low production levels found at these sites and may reflect avoidance feeding behaviour of the oligochaete worms within the sediments. At some reference sites, high production could have resulted from high nutritional quality of sediments, or to an hormetic effect due to low concentration of some chemicals. Results are discussed in relation to toxicity data from sediment three-brood bioassay with Daphnia magna Straus performed separately on the same sediments.