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

Abstract

The Sediment Quality Triad (SQT) consists of complementary measures of sediment chemistry, benthic community structure, and sediment toxicity. We applied the SQT at 20 stations in the tidal portion of the Anacostia River from Bladensburg, MD to Washington, DC to establish a baseline of conditions to evaluate the effects of management actions. Sediment toxicity was assessed using 10-day survival and growth tests with the freshwater amphipod, Hyalella azteca and the midge, Chironomus dilutus. Triplicate grabs were taken at each station for benthic community analysis and the Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (B-IBI) was used to interpret the data. Only one station, #92, exhibited toxicity related to sediment contamination. Sediments from this station significantly inhibited growth of both test species, had the highest concentrations of contaminants, and had a degraded benthic community, indicated by a B-IBI of less than 3. Additional sediment from this station was tested and sediment toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) procedures tentatively characterized organic compounds as the cause of toxicity. Overall, forty percent of the stations were classified as degraded by the B-IBI. However, qualitative and quantitative comparisons with sediment quality benchmarks indicated no clear relationship between benthic community health and contaminant concentrations. This study provides a baseline for assessing the effectiveness of management actions in the Anacostia River.

Historical contamination of the Anacostia River, Washington, D.C.

“…Numerous studies have documented elevated levels of chemical contaminants in sediments, surface waters and fish tissue throughout the river (Foster et al 2000;McGee et al 2009;Velinsky et al 1994;Wade et al 1994) and their impact to fish and benthic biota (McGee et al 2009;Pinkney et al 2004;Schlekat et al 1994;Velinsky and Cummins 1996). In the past decade, the District of Columbia and State of Maryland have implemented assessments and control programs that are geared to reducing the inputs of many contaminants and begin to restore the river.…”

Developmental effects of siloxane exposure in zebrafish: A comparison study using laboratory‐mixed and environmental water samples

“…More recent studies have reported changes in larval behaviors in response to exposure to heavy metals (LeFauve & Connaughton, 2017), alcohol (Clayman et al, 2017), and endocrine disruptors (Bernardo & Connaughton, 2022;Crowley-Perry et al, 2021;Gould et al, 2017;Gould et al, 2019). (DOEE, 2019;McGee et al, 2009;Murray et al, 2015;Velinsky et al, 2011;Wade et al, 1994;Wilson, 2019). Importantly, we recently identified siloxanes in water samples collected from this waterway (Wilken et al, 2020).…”

“…These water samples were collected from the urban‐influenced Anacostia River, Washington, DC. The Anacostia River is one of the most polluted rivers in the United States with chemicals consistently identified in water and/or sediment samples including polycyclic and monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and PCBs (DOEE, 2019; McGee et al, 2009; Murray et al, 2015; Velinsky et al, 2011; Wade et al, 1994; Wilson, 2019). Importantly, we recently identified siloxanes in water samples collected from this waterway (Wilken et al, 2020).…”

A new tool for assessing sediment quality based on the Weight of Evidence approach and grey TOPSIS

“…Benthic invertebrate survey was carried out along with the sediment sampling according to McGee et al (2009). Invertebrate samples were taken from soft sediment and sieved through a 250-μm mesh and then transferred into a jar and stored in 4% formalin solution.…”