Application of Sediment Toxicity Tests in Site Assessment and Site Management

摘要

Sediment toxicity tests have become an integral component of environmental assessments. Toxicity and bioaccumulation testing is a feature of many regulatory programs in the U.S. (e.g., CWA, FIFRA, TSCA, CERCLA/SARA, RCRA, MPRSA). Numerous sediment bioassays have been developed for a variety of purposes. Most of these bioassays have been designed to assess the toxicity and/or bioaccumulation potential of sediments to make regulatory-based decisions (e.g., identifying acceptable disposal alternatives for dredged material). Since sediments serve as the ultimate repository for many environmental contaminants, the use of sediment bioassay as a tool in site assessment and site remediation/management activities logically follows. However, these bioassays should not be applied without proper consideration of the strengths and weaknesses of the individual procedures, particularly in the context of the questions to be addressed. This paper provides an overview of the general types sediment toxicity testing procedures currently available. Procedures to be discussed will range from standard bedded sediment and elutriate tests to more specialized techniques such as the sediment water interface test. A discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of individual procedures in context of the potential application to site assessment, remediation/management, and post-remediation/ management monitoring is also included.