The sediment quality guideline, ERL, is not a chemical concentration at the threshold of sediment toxicity

O’Connor, Thomas P.

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2004.06.024

Cited by 48 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The highest contents of Cr (75.3 mg/kg), Cd (0.26 mg/kg), Ni (42.5 mg/kg), Pb (56.5 mg/kg), As (20.3 mg/kg), Zn (219.2 mg/kg) and Cu (58.8 mg/ kg) in the sediments were found near the shipyard (at station 12 or 13). The contents of Ni at station 12, Zn at stations 11, 12,13 and 15, and Pb at all stations except 1, 2 and 16 exceeded the effects range low (ERL) guideline values, which are concentrations that roughly relate to low probability of sediment toxicity (MacDonald et al, 2000;O'Connor, 2004). These results suggest the risks from Ni, Zn, and Pb were elevated in the mariculture zone, particularly near the shipyard.…”

Section: Heavy Metals In Surface Sedimentsmentioning

confidence: 76%

Heavy metal pollution in sediments of a typical mariculture zone in South China

Zhang

Liu

Cheng

et al. 2012

Marine Pollution Bulletin

163

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Section: Heavy Metals In Surface Sedimentsmentioning

confidence: 76%

Heavy metal pollution in sediments of a typical mariculture zone in South China

Zhang

Liu

Cheng

et al. 2012

Marine Pollution Bulletin

163

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“…It should be noted that while exceedances of ERL and ERM levels are statistically correlated with increasing likelihood of toxic effects, these exceedances do not in themselves indicate the presence of toxic effects (O'Connor 2004). Amphipod toxicity testing carried out as part of the NCA resulted in only 10% of LIS being rated "poor" for sediment toxicity, while 24% of LIS was rated "poor" for sediment contaminants (USEPA 2006).…”

Section: Sediment Metalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contaminants in Long Island Sound: Data Synthesis and Analysis

Mitch

Anisfeld

2010

Estuaries and Coasts

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We synthesized existing data on chemical contaminants in Long Island Sound (LIS) from published reports and unpublished databases. We found several cases of systematic differences between data sources, which complicated the tasks of understanding the health of LIS and of identifying trends over time. Of the three media examined-water, sediment, and biota-sediment (especially in western LIS) most often exhibited pollutant concentrations that were high relative to guidelines and to other estuaries. These high sediment concentrations did not appear to be efficiently transmitted to biota. With the exception of Cd, median pollutant levels in embayment sediments were not higher than in open-water sediments, but the highest levels found in embayments were much higher than at open-water sites, especially for Ag and Hg. Trends over time in contaminant levels were mixed. We identify the most problematic contaminants in LIS and recommend adding Ag to the LIS Study's List of Contaminants of Concern.

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“…Based on this classification, it is possible to distinguish three ranges of chemical concentrations: adverse effects that were observed rarely (<ERM), occasionally (values between ERL and ERM), and frequently (>ERM; McCready et al 2006). However, these values can only be used for screening approaches or in weight-ofevidence methods (Pekey et al 2004), as they are only two points on a continuum of bulk chemical concentrations in the sediments that roughly relate to sediment toxicity (O'Connor 2004).…”

Section: Index Of Geoaccumulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and temporal variation of trace metal enrichment in surface sediments of San Jorge Bay, Chile

Valdés

Román

Guíñez

et al. 2009

Environ Monit Assess

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Cu, Pb, and Hg concentrations were determined in surface sediment samples collected at three sites in San Jorge Bay, northern Chile. This study aims to evaluate differences in their spatial distribution and temporal variability. The highest metal concentrations were found at the site "Puerto", where minerals (Cu and Pb) have been loaded for more than 60 years. On the other hand, Hg does not pose a contamination problem in this bay. Cu and Pb concentrations showed significant variations from 1 year to another. These variations seem to be a consequence of the combination of several factors, including changes in the loading and/or storage of minerals in San Jorge Bay, the dredging of bottom sediments (especially at Puerto), and seasonal changes in physical-chemical properties of the water column that modify the exchange of metals at the sediment-water interface. Differences in the contamination factor and geoaccumulation index suggest that pre-industrial concentrations measured in marine sediments of this geographical zone, were better than geological values (average shale, continental crust average) for evaluating the degree of contamination in this coastal system. Based on these last two indexes, San Jorge Bay has a serious problem of Cu and Pb pollution at the three sampling locations. However, only Cu exceeds the national maximum values used to evaluate ecological risk and the health of marine environments. It is suggested that Chilean environmental legislation for marine sediment quality--presently under technical discussion--is not an efficient tool for protecting the marine ecosystem.

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The sediment quality guideline, ERL, is not a chemical concentration at the threshold of sediment toxicity

Cited by 48 publications

References 8 publications

Heavy metal pollution in sediments of a typical mariculture zone in South China

Heavy metal pollution in sediments of a typical mariculture zone in South China

Contaminants in Long Island Sound: Data Synthesis and Analysis

Distribution and temporal variation of trace metal enrichment in surface sediments of San Jorge Bay, Chile

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