Sediment Toxicity Research Articles

Pollution and toxicity of sediment in potential dredging sites of the Marmara Sea, Turkey

This study aims to assess the impact of the sediment in the potential dredging areas of the Marmara Sea. To that aim, sediments were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and heavy metals, sources were discussed, and toxicity tests were applied. For assessment, lower and upper limits of Turkish draft regulation (LTR, UTR) and UNEP-MAP’s guidance document (LCT, UCT), and effects range low and median (ERL, ERM) were used. Total concentrations were found between 562 and 8643 µg kg−1 for PAHs, 4–36 µg kg−1 for PCBs, and 14–190 µg kg−1 for OCPs. The highest ∑PAH concentrations were measured in Golden Horn, and none of the PAH compounds was above ERM. ERL and UCT were exceeded in İstinye and Golden Horn stations. The highest ∑PCBs and ∑OCPs levels were determined in İzmit Bay (IB). ΣPCBs in IB were higher than ERL and LTR, while ΣDDT were found above ERM and UCT. High concentrations of chromium (∼190 mg kg−1) and copper (∼180 mg kg−1) in Golden Horn and mercury in IB (∼4 mg kg−1) were detected. The highest toxicities were observed in İstinye and İzmit Bay. According to the regulations, none of the sediments can be dumped.

Pollution induced change of liver of Oreochromis niloticus: metals accumulation and histopathological response

The present study, pointed to assess heavy metal accumulation like Aluminum (Al), Cadmium (Cd), Chrome (Cr), Cobalt(Co), Copper(Cu), Iron(Fe), Lead (Pb), Manganese(Mn), Nickel(Ni), Selenium(Se) and Zinc(Zn) in water, sediments and liver of Oreochromis niloticus, which collected from sewage water in El-kharja, New Valley, Egypt using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Also, the histopathological changes of liver of Oreochromis niloticus were reported. These histopathological changes were detected using different staining types as a pollution biomarker. Iron showed the highest accumulation level in water (9.06±0.86 ppm), sediments (175.1±20.8 ppm) and liver (158.17±38.59 ppm), followed by Al> Mn> Ni> Zn> Pb> Cr> Se> Cu> Co> Cd. However, these elements showed Fe> Al> Ni> Mn> Cr> Cu> Zn> Pb> Cd> Se> Co accumulation trend in sediments. In liver these metals showed Fe> Se>Al> Zn>Mn> Cu>Ni> Cr> Pb> Co> Cd trend. Histopathological examination of fish liver showed signs of progressive alterations such as disorganization of architecture of liver cells, hydropic degeneration and vacuolation of hepatocytes. Also, dilation and congestion in blood sinusoids, hypertrophic and increase in number of küpffer cells were chronicled. Sever deposition of hemosiderin pigments were reported while necrosis with pyknotic nucleus and focal histopathological characters were observed side by side with normal cell. Our results concluded that water, sediment and liver accumulation toxicity tests and histopathological changes of liver may be associated, and these approaches may be used together to describe the environmental state and water quality assessment.

Single and joint oxidative stress–related toxicity of sediment-associated cadmium and lead on Bellamya aeruginosa

The biotoxicity of heavy metals in sediments toward benthic organisms has evoked great concern for the health of freshwater ecosystems. This study applied a sediment toxicity testing protocol to investigate the single and joint toxicity of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) on Bellamya aeruginosa. B. aeruginosa were exposed to different concentrations of Cd (5, 25, and 100 mg/kg), Pb (20, 100, and 400 mg/kg), and their different concentration combinations. A suite of biomarkers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), metallothionein (MT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), were measured after 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of exposure to evaluate their oxidative stress status. Cell apoptosis of soft tissue was also determined after exposure. Results revealed that these endpoints represented sensitive biomarkers for the characterization of the oxidative stress response induced by these metals. Specifically, a decrease of SOD and GPx and an increase of MDA were indicative of the potential failure of the antioxidant defense system in neutralizing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in the exposure of the Pb-treated group. The integrated biomarker response (IBR) index revealed the most significant sub-lethal toxicity for Pb-spiked sediments, leading to the highest rate of cell apoptosis (70.8%). Exposure to Cd resulted in a time- and dose-dependent effect on MT levels, which suggested active detoxification of this metal. Exposure to the mixture resulted in amelioration of Pb toxicity, likely due to the competitive binding of Cd to active enzyme, with the result of an observed antagonistic interaction. This study indicated that B. aeruginosa represents a good biomonitor for assessing Cd and Pb contamination of sediments, and laid the foundation for their potential risk assessments in freshwater ecosystems.

Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Technosols by Tailings Derived from Pb–Zn–Ag Mining Activities at San Quintín (Ciudad Real, Spain): Some Insights into the Importance of Integral Studies to Evaluate Metal Contamination Pollution Hazards

This work presents an integral methodological approach to assess the environmental potential hazards posed by metals and metalloids hosted by spolic technosols derived from old tailings from a mining operation for galena (PbS, with high Ag contents)-sphalerite (ZnS, with a varied cohort of trace elements contents) in central Spain. We studied the total and soluble concentrations and spatial distribution of Pb, Zn, Cd, As, and Fe and the mineralogy of these soils, as well as an ecotoxicological evaluation by means of bioassays. The indices assessing soil contamination such as pollution load index (PI) and natural mobility index (NMI) have been calculated. Furthermore, the phytotoxic effect of the soil samples has been determined and a chronic sediment toxicity test using the benthic ostracod Heterocypris incongruens was applied. The geochemical study of 33 spolic technosols samples indicates large to extremely large metal and metalloid total contents: up to 48,600 mg kg−1 Pb, 34,000 mg kg−1 Zn, 500 mg kg−1 Cd, and 1000 mg kg−1 As. Given that sphalerite is usually the most important host mineral for cadmium in hydrothermal mineral deposits, there is a high correlation (R = 0.75) between this element and Zn. On the other hand, despite being two metallogenically intertwined elements in ore deposits, Pb and Zn show a less significant relationship, which can be attributed both to heterogeneities in the mineralogical composition of the veins, and to the complex history of the mineral concentration process: In the older process, the interest was only for Pb, meanwhile in the late period, the interest was focused in Zn. The Phytotoxkit® bioassay showed that soils with high PTEs presented very high toxicity, particularly the inhibition germination is related to Pb, As, and Cd content and root inhibition with Pb content. Both indexes were correlated with pH and electrical conductivity; samples with lower pH and higher soluble salt content are those with higher seed germination inhibition and root growth inhibition. On the other hand, the Ostracodtoxkit® bioassay showed very high sensitivity, with 100% mortality. The applied bioassays confirmed the soil toxicity and it is highly recommended to complement the results from environmental chemistry with results from bioassays, in order to provide a more complete and relevant information on the bioavailability of contaminants and to characterize the risk of contaminated areas.

Evaluation of contamination for the Andong-dam sediment and a magnetic separation for reducing the contamination level

Andong-dam was built up in 1967 and it is one of the biggest dams in Korea. Previous studies showed that the sediments are highly contaminated with heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Many research projects are going on to find out the source of the contamination, to evaluate the toxicities to ecosystem, to estimate the volume of sediment to be treated and to find out a good remediation method. Reports show that the sediment is highly contaminated and the main contamination source is supposed to be abandoned mines and a zinc refinery located upper stream of the river. A magnetic separation has been tested as a treatment method for the dredged sediment. Lab scale test showed that the magnetically captured portion is about 10% in weight but the contamination of heavy metal is much higher than the contamination of the passed portion. This indicates that a magnetic separation could be applied for the purpose of reduction of sediment to be treated and for increasing the volume of low toxic sediments which can be dumped as general waste. A magnetic separation using a HGMS has been tested for the sediment with variable magnetic field and the results showed the higher magnetic field increase the captured portion but the concentrating effect of heavy metal was weakened. Further study is needed to establish a useful technology and optimization between decontamination and reduction of sediment volume.

Using the HPTLC-bioluminescence bacteria assay for the determination of acute toxicities in marine sediments and its eligibility as a monitoring assessment tool

For an integrated ecological risk assessment of marine sediment contamination, the determination of target-compound concentrations by e.g. mass spectrometric methods is not sufficient to explain sediment toxicity. Due to the presence of a multitude of environmental contaminants in this complex matrix causing a mixed toxicity, the identification and assessment of main toxicants is a challenge. One approach in identifying main toxicants is the application of effect-directed analysis (EDA). In this study, an EDA approach was developed using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) coupled to bioluminescence bacteria detection with Aliivibrio fischeri for the determination of marine sediments acute toxicity. In a first attempt, the HPTLC separation was optimized with a fast, two-step gradient to separate main hydrophobic organic contaminant (HOC) classes found in marine sediments. An easy-to-use evaluation script for the resulting bioluminescence inhibition images was programed using R. The developed method was applied to sediment extracts of two different sample sets: (i) Fourteen marine sediment samples from the German Bight representing a wide range of contaminant loads and sediment properties and (ii) sediment samples from a core representing temporal trends of contamination. Results from the HPTLC-bioluminescence bacteria assay were compared to HOC concentrations determined by GC-MS/MS. A correlation of the determined inhibition Γ-values for the PAH inhibition zone to PAH concentrations showed a very good agreement (R2 = 0.91). The results of this study were used to evaluate the suitability of the EDA approach to be used as an assessment tool for marine sediments.

Assessment of PCB contamination, the potential for in situ microbial dechlorination and natural attenuation in an urban watershed at the East Coast of the United States

Sediment contamination is a major environmental issue in many urban watersheds and coastal areas due to the potential toxic effects of contaminants on biota and human health. Characterizing and delineating areas of sediment contamination and toxicity are important goals of coastal resource management in terms of ecological and economical perspectives. Core and surficial sediment samples were collected from an industrialized urban watershed at the East Coast of the United Stated and analyzed to evaluate the PCB contamination profile and toxicity resulting from dioxin-like PCBs as well as reductive dechlorination potential of indigenous PCB halorespiring bacteria through dechlorination activity assays. To support the experimental results an anaerobic dechlorination model was applied to identify microbial dechlorination pathways. The total PCB concentration in core samples ranged from 3.9 to 225.6 ng/g·dry weight (dw) decreasing with depth compared to 353.2 to 1213.7 ng/g·dw in surficial samples. The results of this study indicated an increase in PCB contamination over the last century as the industrial activity intensified. The toxicity resulting from dioxin-like PCBs was reduced up to 94% in core samples via 21 pathways resulting from the dechlorination model. Dechlorination rates in surficial sediment were between 1.8 and 13.2 · 10−3 mol% PCB116/day, while lower rates occurred in the core sediment samples. Dechlorination was achieved mainly through meta followed by para dechlorination. However, the rarer ortho dechlorination was also observed. Detection of indigenous PCB dechlorinating bacteria in the sediments and reduction of toxicity indicated potential for natural attenuation when point and nonpoint source PCBs in the urban watershed are controlled and PCB loading reduced.

Enhanced electrokinetic remediation of multi-contaminated dredged sediments and induced effect on their toxicity

Electrokinetic (EK) remediation is often developed for metal decontamination but shows limitations for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) which are nonionic and involve low aqueous solubility. This paper reports many laboratory studies devoted to the investigations of EK efficiency on the mobility and the removal of metals, PAHs and PCBs from dredged sediments, using a mixture of chelating agent and surfactants. The results showed that increasing chelating agent concentration was favorable for both metal and PAH removal. Applying a periodic voltage gradient associated to a low concentration of additives provided the best removal of Zn, Cd and Pb and also the 16 priority PAHs. The tested fresh harbor sediment was highly resistant to metals and organics mobilization and transport because of an aged contamination, a high buffering capacity, a very low hydraulic permeability and a high organic matter content. However, experiments performed on a former sediment which was deposited many years ago provided better removal results, involving low organic matter and carbonates content. The efficiency of the EK process was also assessed by measuring the acute toxicity of the EK-treated sediment on the copepod Eurytemora affinis exposed to sediment elutriates.

Accumulation pattern and possible adverse effects of organic pollutants in sediments downstream of combined sewer overflows

The present study was conducted to investigate sediment accumulation patterns of PAHs, PCBs, flame retardants and pesticides along 100 m transects downstream from three different combined sewer overflows (CSOs). Additionally, the concentrations of PAHs and PCBs were quantified to allow a characterization of the sediment quality.The suspect screening revealed that usually more substances, especially pesticides and flame retardants, were detected in sediments located in the vicinity of CSOs. Except for PAHs at Location 1 and 3, all substances followed the same accumulation pattern, showing higher contaminations in sediments sampled downstream from the CSOs compared to an upstream located reference site. With increasing distance to the respective input, sediment concentrations decreased. Different accumulation patterns of PAHs at Locations 1 and 3 were related to high background concentrations of the receiving creek.Although the general contamination patterns were similar, the level of contamination was different at each location. PAH concentrations are indicative for the occurrence of sediment toxicity at Location 3. However, higher background concentrations in the receiving creek compared to concentrations present in the retention zone indicate a higher probability for sediment toxicity due to inherited waste or contamination from upper reaches. PCBs introduced by the sewer outfall at Location 1 significantly increased the toxic potential of sediments located in the vicinity of the CSO. The retention zones at Locations 2 and 3 appeared to be a good measure to trap particles and their associated pollutants before they accumulate in the creek sediments where they became potentially harmful for the aquatic biota.Based on this study recommendations for sampling strategies were concluded to harmonize sampling designs in studies analyzing the impact of point sources on the sediment quality and to minimize misinterpretation of results.

An integrative assessment to determine the sediment toxicity of Kaohsiung Harbor in Taiwan: combining chemical analysis and cytotoxicity assay.

To evaluate the toxicity of sediments collected from the mouths of four rivers and entrances of Kaohsiung Harbor, Taiwan, a combination of in vitro cytotoxicity assays (Clone 9 cells) and chemical analysis that quantified 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 10 phthalate esters (PAEs), and 2 alkylphenols (APs) was employed. Results showed that the total concentrations of PAHs, PAEs, and APs ranged between 77.9 and 24,363 ng/g dw, between 268 and 118,010 ng/g dw, and between 32.6 and 84,438 ng/g dw in sediments, respectively. The highest concentrations of PAHs, PAEs, and APs were found in the mouths of the Salt River (SR), Love River (LR), and Jen-Gen River (JR), respectively. Mean reference sediment quotient (m-RSQ) values were calculated using the chemical concentrations measured in the sediment of entrance I (EI) as the benchmark, and the order was SR > LR > JR > CR (Canon River mouth) > EII (entrance II) > EI. Results of the cytotoxicity assay showed that the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Clone 9 cells was in the order of LR < SR < JR < CR < EII < EI. Results on DNA content, apoptotic and autophagy protein biomarkers, and acridine orange staining indicated that the cause of death of Clone 9 cells after treatment with sediment extracts of the LR site was mainly through apoptosis. There was a significant correlation between m-RSQ values and IC50 of Clone 9 cells. The correlation analysis between cytotoxicity and chemical analytical data indicated that certain unknown chemicals may exist in LR sediment. Overall, this study demonstrated that the combination of chemical and biological analyses can provide a more comprehensive and realistic assessment of sediment toxicity to aquatic organisms compared to traditional chemistry-based-only analytical approaches.

A contribution towards improving the applicability of the Myriophyllum aquaticum sediment contact test

BackgroundWhole sediment contact tests provide realistic exposure scenarios, but the inherent properties of sediments may play a significant role in organism’s response and interfere with result interpretation. Recently, a sediment contact test with a rooted aquatic macrophyte Myriophyllum aquaticum has been standardized. The present study aims to distinguish between effects of basic sediment properties and sediment-bound pollutants on M. aquaticum growth and evaluate the method as a tool in sediment quality assessment. Tests with artificial sediments with different organic matter, sand and clay content, as well as freshwater sediments with different levels of contamination were conducted.ResultsResults were based on comparison to the standard artificial control sediment. Organic matter content and grain size distribution in different variants of artificial sediments significantly affected M. aquaticum growth. Growth was impaired in formulations with low (1%) and high (10%) organic matter content, while better growth of plants compared to control was recorded in artificial samples with higher fine particles content. Because of the presence of unmeasured pollutants in freshwater sediments and inherent sediment properties, results of the M. aquaticum sediment contact tests were not always in accordance with the results of chemical analysis. Whorl, shoot and root parameters had different variability and showed a particular growth pattern in natural sediments. If the threshold of 20% for sediment toxicity is applied, then about 60% of tested natural sediments may be considered as toxic. As sediment structure may influence plant growth, this interpretation may be false as the physico–chemical properties of the control sediment used for comparison are considerably different from the properties of natural sediments.ConclusionsSince inherent properties showed a significant effect on plant growth, the use of suitable controls more similar to tested natural sediments is advisable. To avoid over-, but also under-estimations, the use of the strict toxicity threshold of 20% or even higher inhibition for this test can be recommended, provided the statistical power of the test is high. The results of this study might contribute to the ongoing process of including effect-based methods in water quality monitoring under the Water Framework Directive.

Toxicity Assessment of Impacted Sediments from Southeast Coast of Tunisia Using a Biomarker Approach with the Polychaete Hediste diversicolor.

Toxicity caused by exposure to pollutants from marine sediments is a consequence of the interaction between biota and xenobiotics most frequently released by anthropogenic activities. The present work intended to characterize the toxicity of natural sediments putatively impacted by distinct human activities, collected at several sites located in the south of the Gulf of Gabes, Zarzis area, Tunisia. The selected toxicity criteria were analysed following ecologically relevant test conditions. Organisms of the polychaete species Hediste diversicolor were chronically exposed (28days) to the mentioned sediments. Toxicity endpoints were biomarkers involved in the toxic response to common anthropogenic chemicals, namely neurotoxic (acetylcholinesterase), anti-oxidant (catalase, glutathione peroxidase), metabolic (glutathione S-transferases) enzymatic activities, and oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation, TBARS assay). The chemical characterization of sediments showed that the samples collected from the site near an aquaculture facility were highly contaminated by heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Pb, and Zn) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene and pyrene). H. diversicolor individuals exposed to the sediments from this specific site showed the highest values among all tested biomarkers, suggesting that these organisms were possibly under a pro-oxidative stress condition potentially promoted by anthropogenic pollution. Moreover, it was possible to conclude that individuals of the polychaete species H. diversicolor responded to the chronic exposure to potentially contaminated sediments from the southeast coast of Tunisia, eliciting adaptive responses of significant biological meaning.

Evaluation of heavy metal contamination in sediments of the Seybouse River, Guelma – Annaba, Algeria

Abstract The surface sediments of Seybouse River and its affluents have been studied and assessed to determine their degree of heavy metal contamination (Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn and Fe). The contamination factor (CF), the contamination degree (CD) and statistical tools (correlation and APC) has been used in assessing: metal contamination, sediment toxicity and to identify the origin of metals which have enriched the sediments. Heavy metals concentrations of sediments are generally heterogeneous and vary according to the metal and the sampling site. The results have been compared to the reference values of the unpolluted sediments and have shown that Seybouse River sediments are more contaminated by Pb, Cd and Zn respectively. CF values indicate moderate to considerable contamination for most stations. CD values show that the most toxic sediments are located mainly at the estuary and downstream of large agglomerations. The matrix correlation between the metallic elements shows a very strong correlation between Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn indicating that they have a similar source. These different metallic elements appear as traces of anthropogenic pollution. Despite using wastewater treatment plants as protective measures, Seybouse River pollution is remaining a big issue and more efforts has to be done by local authorities.

Advancing soil ecological risk assessments for petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soils in Canada: Persistence, organic carbon normalization and relevance of species assemblages

Sediment toxicity studies and ecological risk assessments on organic contaminants routinely apply organic carbon normalization to toxicity data; however, no studies examine its potential for use in soils with petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) contamination. Limited studies in soil ecotoxicology assess the influence of species assemblages used in species sensitivity distribution construction on the resulting guideline designated to of soil dwelling organisms. Canadian regulations utilize more conservative approaches to deriving guidelines with soil ecotoxicology data compared to the rest of the world, so we investigated the impact of these on soil invertebrates in a variety of field soils. In addition to toxicity, the persistence of a medium PHC mixture was also assessed in the field soils to determine the duration of toxic effects. We found organic matter influenced PHC toxicity to soil invertebrates, but persistence was influenced more by soil cation exchange capacity. Incorporating organic carbon normalization into species sensitivity distribution curves provided a higher level of protection to soil dwelling receptors in low organic matter soils as well as reduce the variability of PHC soil toxicity data. Soil remediation guidelines derived for protection of soil dwelling organisms using a diverse species assemblage provided similar levels of protection as guidelines developed with test species specific for remote, forested land uses in Canada. We conclude that: (i) Canadian hazard concentration values for PHC contamination of soils should be revisited as they may not be protective and (ii) that soil PHC guidelines for protection of soil dwelling organisms should be expressed as carbon normalized values.

Predicted sediment toxicity downstream of combined sewer overflows corresponds with effects measured in two sediment contact bioassays

The present study investigated the sediment toxicity along 100 m transects downstream from three different combined sewer overflows (CSOs) using a coupled substance risk assessment and bioassay approach. As a first step, a risk assessment according to the consensus based sediment quality guideline was performed to estimate the probability for an incidence of toxicity to benthic organisms in freshwater sediments using their pollutant concentrations of metals, PAHs and PCBs. Secondly, two sediment contact assays (SCAs) using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and embryos of the fish Danio rerio were conducted.Sediments downstream from CSOs were strongly influenced by discharged particles in terms of pollution, due to associated contaminants as well as oxygen depletion caused by oxygen consuming matter. In general, the calculated probability for sediment toxicity corresponded with results of the SCAs. With increasing distance from the CSOs both the toxic potential of the sediments as well as their effects detected in the SCAs decreased. However, clear correlations between concentrations of metals as well as PCBs and toxic effects were found for the nematode SCA. The toxicity assay with embryos of D. rerio was strongly influenced by oxygen depletion in the sediments. Therefore, it was not possible to differentiate between responses mediated by pollution or oxygen depletion using the D. rerio embryo test.The results of the present study demonstrated a clear effect of CSOs on the toxicity of downstream located sediments. As particles were identified as vector for pollutants and as source for oxygen depletion, the retention of particles within the sewer network is of high importance to minimize both stressors. The present study shows that a retention zone located between the CSO and the receiving creek is an efficient measure to enhance sediment and water quality downstream of CSOs.

Using Proales similis (Rotifera) for toxicity assessment in marine waters.

There is a need to develop more animal species for assessing toxicity in marine environments. Cyst‐based toxicity tests using invertebrates are especially fast, technically simple, cost‐effective, and sensitive to a variety of toxicants. Over the past 30 years, a variety of toxicity endpoints have been measured using the marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis hatched from cysts, including mortality, reproduction, ingestion, swimming, enzyme activity, and gene expression. A consensus has developed that the most ecologically relevant toxicity measurements should be made using more than one species. Furthermore, it has been noted that the rotifer species toxicant sensitivity distribution is much broader than which endpoint is measured. This implies that toxicity should be measured with the simplest, fastest, least expensive test available on as many species as feasible. If a battery of test species is to be used to estimate toxicity, diapause egg‐based toxicity tests that do not require culturing of test animals will be key. In this paper, we describe how diapause eggs of a new marine rotifer, Proales similis, can be produced, stored and hatched under controlled conditions to produce animals for toxicity tests. Methods are described for quantifying the toxicity of copper, mercury and cadmium based on mortality, ingestion, reproduction, and diapause egg hatching endpoints. We found that reproduction and ingestion endpoints were generally more sensitive to the metals than mortality or diapause egg hatching. When the copper sensitivity of P. similis was compared to Brachionus manjavacas and B. plicatilis using an ingestion test, similar EC50s were observed. In contrast, the B. rotundiformis ingestion EC50 for copper was about 4× more sensitive. Although diapause egg hatching was not the most sensitive endpoint, it is the most ecologically relevant for assessing sediment toxicity. Our discovery of diapausing eggs in the P. similis life cycle has created a conundrum. We have not observed males or sex in P. similis populations, which is a direct contradiction to the orthodox view of the monogonont rotifer life cycle. Work is needed to clarify how diapause egg production is accomplished by P. similis and whether sexual reproduction is involved.

Risk-based prediction of metal toxicity in sediment and impact onhuman health due to consumption of seafood (Saccostrea cucullata) found in two highly industrialised coastal estuarine regions of Eastern India: a food safety issue.

Estuarine ecosystems of the Bay of Bengal, India, are considered as the most productive environment, which have been persistently threatened by substantial anthropogenic activity. This study aims to investigate the metal contamination in the sediment of two estuaries and possible biomagnifications in the indigenous edible oyster Saccostrea cucullata and related health hazards due to its consumption. The accumulative ecological risks indicated that the sediment is moderate to strongly contaminated with cadmium and lead. The sediment pollution index and pollution load index suggested that the sediment possesses a little ecological stress on the exposed flora and fauna. The statistical interpretation highlights the most metals which have a similar source of origin and are bound to the finer fractions of the sediment, except nickel. Bioaccumulation of sediment-associated Cu and Zn in oyster reflects their potential biomagnifications through aquatic food chain. HPI range was below the critical limit of safe human consumption. The non-carcinogenic (THQ) and carcinogenic (CR) health hazards were estimated from the PTDI provided by USEPA. Except Cr, Hg and Zn, the THQ of all other metals was > 1 suggesting detrimental non-carcinogenic health effects on humans. The TCR of Cr and Cd above safety limit indicates the exposed population might be under severe carcinogenic threat due to those metals.

Insights into the sediment toxicity of personal care products to freshwater oligochaete worms using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Personal care products (PCPs) are ubiquitous in the environment due to their wide use in daily life. However, there are insufficient sediment toxicity data of PCPs under ecologically relevant conditions. Here we used Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to investigate the sediment toxicity of triclosan (TCS) and galaxolide (HHCB) to two freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates, Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri and Branchiura sowerbyi, in microcosms containing a diverse biological community. Exposure to 8 µg TCS/g and 100 µg HHCB/g dry weight (dw) sediment induced significant biochemical alterations in the L. hoffmeisteri tissue. 8 µg TCS/g primarily affected proteins and nucleic acid while 100 µg HHCB/g mainly affected proteins and lipids of L. hoffmeisteri. However, 0.8 µg TCS/g and 30 µg HHCB/g did not cause significant subcellular toxicity to L. hoffmeisteri. In contrast, exposure of B. sowerbyi to 30 µg HHCB/g led to significant biochemical changes, including proteins, polysaccharides and lipids. Therefore, B. sowerbyi was more sensitive to sediment-associated HHCB than L. hoffmeisteri. Such effects were significantly enhanced when the HHCB concentration increased to 100 µg/g dw where death of B. sowerbyi occurred. These results demonstrate the application of FTIR spectroscopy to sediment toxicity testing of chemicals to benthic invertebrates with biochemical alterations as endpoints that are more sensitive than standard toxic endpoints (e.g., survival and growth).

Preparation of Cu2+ and Pb2+ spiked sediment for sediment toxicity tests: a case study from Soai Rap estuary in Sai Gon - Dong Nai river system

Heavy metals contamination in river sediment is becoming more severe, as is also the case in Soai Rap estuary, Vietnam, where Cu and Pb polution is significant. The evironmental risks posed by heavy metals are usually assessed by toxicity tests using sediment spiked with contaminants in different concentrations. In order to recreate natural conditions, the preparation of sediment samples spiked with heave metals must be carried out following strict procedures. The objective of the study is therefore to determine the adsorption kinetic and equilibrium parameters of two heavy metals (Cu2+ and Pb2+) on surface sediment collected from an intertidal mudflat in the Soai Rap estuary of Vietnam. The experiments were conducted with a liquid (Cu2+ and Pb2+ solutions) to solid (sediment) ratio of approximately 1:10. Elutriates were prepared by shaking the spiked sediment sample in artificial seawater at a ratio of 1:4 (wet sediment/water). The Cu2+ solution reached equilibrium after about 12 hours and the maximum adsorption capacity of 0.86 mg/g while the Pb2+ solution reached equilibrium after 10 hours, with the maximum adsorption capacity of 35.2 mg/g. The regression analysisof experimental data of Cu2+ and Pb2+ adsorption on sediment has shown good consistency with both Langmuir and Freundlich models, whereas the Langmuir model was found to be more appropriate. The adsorption kinetic of both heavy metals was well described by the pseudo second-order adsorption kinetic model and the desorption processes were characterised using the Langmuir and Freundlich models (both models were suitable for Cu2+ desorption but only Freundlich for Pb2+). Using the present methodology, the concentrations of heavy metals spiked on sediment could be calculated, however the maximum adsorption capacity for both substances was not yet achieved. Further findings include the determination of the equilibrium time for adsorption, very relevant when spiking sediments for toxicity tests to evaluate the environmental risks of polution with heavy metals in the Soai Rap estuary, Vietnam.&#x0D; Ô nhiễm kim loại nặng trong trầm tích cửa sông ngày càng trầm trọng, như trường hợp ở cửa sông Soài Rạp, Việt Nam, nơi mà ô nhiễm Cu, Pb là đáng kể. Rủi ro môi trường do kim loại nặng gây ra thường được đánh giá bằng các thử nghiệm độc tính sử dụng trầm tích kết hợp với các chất gây ô nhiễm ở các nồng độ khác nhau. Để tái tạo các điều kiện tự nhiên, việc chuẩn bị các mẫu trầm tích kết hợp với kim loại nặng phải được thực hiện theo những quy trình nghiêm ngặt. Do đó, mục tiêu của nghiên cứu là xác định các thông số động học và cân bằng hấp phụ của hai kim loại nặng (Cu2+ và Pb2+) lên trầm tích mặt được thu thập từ một bãi bồi tại cửa sông Soài Rạp, Việt Nam. Các thí nghiệm được thực hiện với tỷ lệ chất lỏng (dung dịch Cu2+ và Pb2+) và chất rắn (trầm tích) xấp xỉ 1:10. Dung dịch rửa giải được chuẩn bị bằng cách lắc mẫu trầm tích đã kết hợp trong nước biển nhân tạo theo tỷ lệ 1: 4 (trầm tích ướt/nước). Dung dịch Cu2+ đạt trạng thái cân bằng sau khoảng 12 giờ và dung lượng hấp phụ tối đa 0,86 mg/g trong khi dung dịch Pb2+ đạt trạng thái cân bằng sau 10 giờ, với dung lượng hấp phụ tối đa 35,2 mg/g. Phân tích hồi quy dữ liệu thực nghiệm của quá trình hấp phụ Cu2+ và Pb2+ lên trầm tích đã cho thấy phù hợp với cả hai mô hình Langmuir và Freundlich, nhưng mô hình Langmuir được tìm thấy là phù hợp hơn. Động học hấp phụ của cả hai kim loại nặng được mô tả là phù hợp với mô hình động học hấp phụ bậc hai giả và các quá trình giải hấp được đặc trưng bằng mô hình Langmuir và Freundlich (cả hai mô hình đều phù hợp với giải hấp Cu2+ nhưng chỉ Freundlich cho Pb2+). Sử dụng phương pháp hiện tại, nồng độ kim loại nặng kết hợp lên trầm tích có thể được tính toán, tuy nhiên khả năng hấp phụ tối đa của cả hai chất vẫn chưa đạt được. Hơn nữa, việc xác định thời gian cân bằng cho hấp phụ, rất phù hợp khi sử dụng trầm tích kết hợp cho thử nghiệm độc tính để đánh giá rủi ro môi trường ô nhiễm kim loại nặng ở cửa sông Soài Rạp, Việt Nam.

Toxicity of sediments under the influence of the submarine emissary of Santos using the marine amphipod Parhyale hawaiensis.

In Brazil, the submarine emissary of Santos is considered one of the main emissaries of the country. However, the practice of effluent disposal in the oceans may have negative impacts on aquatic biota. When treatment is not appropriate several contaminants can reach the water and sediments of the disposal area. This work aimed to perform acute toxicity tests with marine amphipod Parhyale hawaiensis, which is a new model for toxicity tests, with sediment samples under the influence of the submarine emissary of Santos. Samples were collected at four different sites in four sampling campaigns and were evaluated as fresh sediment, dry sediment, aqueous fraction (elutriate with sediment and water), and organic extracts. Liquid samples were tested using 96-wells microplates, and the sediment using 12 wells-microplates containing sediment and salt water in 1:4 (w/v). Neonates (&lt; 7 days old) P. hawaiensis were used and placed individually in each well. Exposure conditions were 96h, 24+2ºC, 12h/12h light and dark. From samples analyzed, fresh sediment presented a toxicity for 72% of samples, while dried sediment were toxic for 78% of samples. Besides, all aqueous fraction were negative and organic extracts were toxic for 71% samples. Results suggest that toxicity is mainly related to organic contaminants, which is possible to note that mortality and organic matter are directly proportionals. Therefore, we conclude that the sediments are being adversely affected by outfall discharge.