Toxicity of sediment-associated pyrene and phenanthrene toLimnodrilus hoffmeisteri(oligochaeta: Tubificidae)

Abstract

Acute and sublethal toxicities of sediment-spiked pyrene and phenanthrene to Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri Cleparede were investigated. Phenanthrene was acutely toxic at high sediment concentrations (10-d median lethal concentration of 297.5 {micro}g g{sup {minus}1}; 252.2--348.3, 95% confidence interval [Cl]). Pyrene was not acutely toxic, even at concentrations as high as 841 {micro}g g{sup {minus}1}. A significant impact of pyrene and phenanthrene on the feeding activity of L. hoffmeisteri was demonstrated through daily collection of egested fecal material during 5- and 10-d experiments. A short (5-d) exposure detected toxic effects more efficiently than a 10-d exposure, yielding IC25 values (estimated concentration causing a 25% reduction of measured endpoint in relation to the control[s]) of 58.9 {micro}g g{sup {minus}1} (32.1--89.4, 95% CI) for pyrene and 28.4 {micro}g g{sup {minus}1} (10.0--41.3, 95% CI) for phenanthrene. Effects on burrowing behavior and reproduction were assessed in a 28-d sediment exposure. Low burrowing avoidance (< 25%) was detected in high phenanthrene concentrations (143--612 {micro}g g{sup {minus}1}) but was not detected with pyrene. Offspring production was significantly reduced in dosed sediments yielding IC25 values of 59.1 {micro}g g{sup {minus}1} (38.3--112.5, 95% CI) for pyrene and 40.5 {micro}g g{sup {minus}1} (12.1--165.5, 955 CI) for phenanthrene. Decreases in egestion rates inmore » the presence of nonpolar contaminants should be quantified when investigating the effects of bioturbation by deposit feeders on the flux of contaminants from sediment into the water column.« less