Toxicological evaluation of sediment samples from Burns Harbor, Porter County, Indiana

Abstract

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Chicago District is authorized to maintain the water depths in Burns Harbor at navigable levels. In order to maintain these levels, sediments must be dredged and disposed of at approved disposal sites. To make a 404 (b) 1 open-water disposal evaluation, the dredged sediment may be evaluated through a series of toxicological tests to assess its potential for causing an adverse environmental effect. Battelle/Marine Sciences Laboratory (MSL) was contracted by USACE to perform these freshwater toxicity tests. The tests were designed to simulate conditions that organisms living within an aquatic dredged material disposal site might experience during disposal operations, and included both bedded-sediment (solid-phase) and suspended-sediment (elutriate) tests. Test samples were collected by USACE personnel and composited into three test treatments representing potential dredging areas (Management Units {number_sign}1, {number_sign}2, and {number_sign}3). Four toxicological tests were conducted in support of this program. The solid-phase tests included the amphipod, Hyalella azteca, and the midge, Chironomus tentans. The elutriate tests included the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas, and the daphnid, Daphnia magna. Testing was conducted following standard procedures provided by USACE which are consistent with ASTM protocols and the Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Discharge in Inland and Near Coastal Waters -- Testing Manual (Draft) Inland Testing Manual (EPA/USACE 1993), known as the ``Draft Inland Testing Manual.`` The suitability of sediment representing the management units for open-water disposal was evaluated following the guidelines contained in the Draft Inland Testing Manual.