Comparison of the 10-Day Freshwater Sediment Toxicity Tests Using Hyalella Azteca and Chironomus Tentans

Abstract

Comparisons were made of the performance of the 10-d freshwater sediment toxicity tests using the amphipod Hya-leNa azteca and midge Chironornus tentans. Sediments were collected from eight stations in Onondaga Lake, New York, and represented a wide range of toxicity. The biological end points were survival, biomass, and body length. The two tests were compared on the basis of correspondence among relative values of the end points and ability to statistically discriminate adverse effects relative to control responses (Le., discriminatory ability). Minimum detectable differences (MDDs) and adverse response ranges of the end points were used to further evaluate the discriminatory ability of the end points. Relative responses and discriminatory abilities of the end points of both tests were similar, despite numerous differences that exist among characteristics of the test species and end points. Significant concordance was found among all end points with respect to relative toxicity of sediments from the eight stations. Although MDDs and adverse response ranges of the various end points differed substantially, the observed positive correlation between those two variables resulted in all end points having similar discriminatory ability, Although amphipod biomass and body length have rarely been used as end points in 10-d tests, both end points provided results comparable to those of the other end points evaluated in the present study. Keywords -Freshwater sedimentsSediment toxicity Hyalella azteca Chironornus tentans 2089 * = p 5 0.05; NS = p > 0.05.

In situ bioassay chambers and procedures for assessment of sediment toxicity with Chironomus riparius

“…In a study conducted by Giesy et al (1988), growth reduction in C. tentans revealed to be as sensitive as the Microtox 1 15-min EC50, and more discriminatory than the Microtox 1 (15-min EC50) and Daphnia (48-h LC50) bioassays, using Detroit River sediments. A good agreement was verified between Hyalella azteca and C. tentans 10-day bioassays, using natural sediments (Becker et al, 1995). A correspondence between the larval growth reduction and the absence of indigenous chironomids in faunal surveys was also observed (Giesy et al, 1988).…”

History and sensitivity comparison of two standard whole-sediment toxicity tests with crustaceans: the amphipodHyalella aztecaand the ostracodHeterocypris incongruensmicrobiotest

“…They also report on a comparison of metal toxicity to Hyalella and Daphnia, which revealed an overall similarity in the metal toxicity response of the one week H. azteca assays and the three week Daphnia tests. Becker et al (1995) had made a comparative study on the sensitivity of H. azteca and Chironomus tentans in 10-day whole-sediment assays collected from eight stations in a lake near New York. The biological endpoints appraised were survival, biomass and body length.…”

Short-Term Toxicity of Lindane, Hexachlorobenzene, and Copper Sulfate to Tubificid Sludgeworms (Oligochaeta) in Artificial Media

“…Most of the tested species were insects (e.g., Lydy et al, 1990;Fleming et al, 1994), oligochaetes (e.g., Ammon, 1985;Reynoldson et al, 1991;Phipps et al, 1993), and amphipods (e.g., Becker et al, 1995). To date, only a few test methods have been standardized on a national level (EPA, 1994;ASTM, 1995;BBA, 1995), and none have been accepted internationally, e.g., as an OECD guideline.…”