Predictions of Sediment Toxicity Using Consensus-Based Freshwater Sediment Quality Guidelines

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to compare approaches for evaluating the combined effects of chemical mixtures on the toxicity in field-collected sediments and to evaluate the ability of consensus-based probable effect concentrations (PECs) to predict toxicity in a freshwater database on both a national and regional geographic basis. A database was developed from 92 published reports, which included a total of 1,657 samples with high-quality matching sediment toxicity and chemistry data from across North America. The database was comprised primarily of 10- to 14-day or 28- to 42-day toxicity tests with the amphipod Hyalella azteca (designated as the HA10 or HA28 tests) and 10- to 14-day toxicity tests with the midges Chironomus tentans or C. riparius (designated as the CS10 test). Mean PEC quotients were calculated to provide an overall measure of chemical contamination and to support an evaluation of the combined effects of multiple contaminants in sediments. There was an overall increase in the incidence of toxicity with an increase in the mean quotients in all three tests. A consistent increase in the toxicity in all three tests occurred at a mean quotient > 0.5, however, the overall incidence of toxicity was greater in the HA28 test compared to the short-term tests. The longer-term tests, in which survival and growth are measured, tend to be more sensitive than the shorter-term tests, with acute to chronic ratios on the order of six indicated for H. azteca. Different patterns were observed among the various procedures used to calculate mean quotients. For example, in the HA28 test, a relatively abrupt increase in toxicity was associated with elevated polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) alone or with elevated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) alone, compared to the pattern of a gradual increase in toxicity observed with quotients calculated using a combination of metals, PAHs, and PCBs. These analyses indicate that the different patterns in toxicity may be the result of unique chemical signals associated with individual contaminants in samples. Though mean quotients can be used to classify samples as toxic or nontoxic, individual quotients might be useful in helping identify substances that may be causing or substantially contributing to the observed toxicity. An increase in the incidence of toxicity was observed with increasing mean quotients within most of the regions, basins, and areas in North America for all three toxicity tests. The results of these analyses indicate that the consensus-based PECs can be used to reliably predict toxicity of sediments on both a regional and national basis.

Spatial distribution of trace elements and ecotoxicity of bottom sediments in Rybnik reservoir, Silesian-Poland

“…It means that 68 % of sediment samples were potentially non-toxic and 32 % of samples were potentially toxic. Ingersoll et al (2001) used four ranges of the mean PECQs for ranking samples in terms of incidence of toxicity: <0.1, 0.1–<0.5, 0.5–<1.0, and >1.0. These values related to the probability that 10, 17, 56, 97, and 100 % of sediments with mean PECQs, respectively, were toxic in amphipod survival bioassays.…”

“…Different methods have been applied in order to quantitatively assess the cumulative ecological risks associated with metals: geoaccumulation index ( I geo ), sediment enrichment factor (SEF), potential ecological risk index (PERI), excessive regression analysis, sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Risk Assessment Code (RAC), etc. (Burton 2002; Farkas et al 2007; Guo et al 2010; Ingersoll et al 2001; Suresh et al 2012; Fang et al 2012; Wang et al 2012; Hou et al 2013; Fiori et al 2013; Veses et al 2013; Fu et al 2013; Li 2014; Baran and Tarnawski 2015; Shaari et al 2015; Sayed et al 2015). A number of studies have indicated that a battery of bioassays is a good tool to assess ecological risk (Davoren et al 2005; Mankiewicz-Boczek et al 2008; Narracci et al 2009; Tuikka et al 2011; Gonçalves et al 2013; Kemble et al 2012; Besser et al 2014; Baran and Tarnawski 2013, 2015).…”

Concentration, sources and risk assessment of PAHs in bottom sediments

“…Additionally, low potential toxicity to the benthic fauna (PECqs < 0.5) was observed for sediments from the Głuchów, Narożniki, Besko, Ożanna, Chechło, Brzóza Stadnicka and Brzóza Królewska reservoirs. Other authors divided PECqs into four categories: non-adverse effect (PECq < 0.1), slightly adverse effect (0.1 < PECq < 0.5), moderate effect (0.5 < PECq < 1.0) and strong effect (PECq > 1.5) (Ingersoll et al 2001 ; Tavakoly Sany et al 2014 ). In these ranges, non-adverse effects on the benthic fauna were shown for sediments from the Głuchów, Narozniki and Ożanna reservoirs, while slightly adverse effects were found for sediments from the Brzóza Królewska, Besko, Brzóza Stadnicka and Chechło reservoirs.…”

Using the Sediment Quality Triad to characterize baseline conditions in the Anacostia River, Washington, DC, USA

“…Mean PEC quotients at only two stations in the present study, #90 and #92, were greater than 1.0. In an evaluation of a freshwater database of 1,657 samples with toxicity and chemistry data, Ingersoll et al (2001) reported a 50% incidence of toxicity at a mean PEC quotient of 3.5 in 10-day midge tests and 3.4 in 10-d amphipod tests, when survival or growth were reported as an endpoint. Our results-#90, nontoxic with a mean PEC of 1.59, #92 toxic with a mean PEC of 2.26-are consistent with Ingersoll et al (2001).…”

“…We compared sediment chemical data with the freshwater probable effect concentrations (PECs), defined as those concentrations above which adverse effects are expected to occur more often than not (MacDonald et al 2000). To address potential biological effects associated with multiple contaminants, we calculated the mean PEC quotient according to Ingersoll et al (2001). The mean metals PEC quotient was based on data for seven metals (cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, and zinc).…”