Chronic effect of cadmium in sediments on colonization by benthic marine organisms: An evaluation of the role of interstitial cadmium and acid-volatile sulfide in biological availability

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620151208· OSTI ID:483685

Hansen, D J; Berry, W J; Benyi, S J ^[1]; Mahony, J D ^[2]; Corbin, J M ^[3]; Pratt, S D ^[4]; Toro, D.M. di ^[2]; Abel, M B ^[5]

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1. Environmental Protection Agency, Narragansett, RI (United States)
2. Manhattan Coll., New York, NY (United States). Dept. of Environmental Engineering
3. Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Austin, TX (United States). Environmental Assessment Div.
4. Univ. of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI (United States). Graduate School of Oceanography
5. Univ. of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI (United States). Botany Dept.

The role of interstitial cadmium and acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) in controlling the bioavailability of sediment-associated metal was examined using the chronic saltwater benthic colonization test. Sediments were spiked to achieve nominal cadmium/AVS molar ratios of 0.0 (control), 0.1, 0.8, and 3.0 in this 118-d test. Oxidation of AVS in the surficial 2.4 cm within 2 to 4 weeks resulted in sulfide profiles similar to those occurring naturally in local sediments. In the nominal 0.1 cadmium/AVS treatment measured simultaneously extracted metal (SEM{sub Cd}) was always less than AVS. Interstitial cadmium concentrations were less than those likely to cause biological effects. No significant biological effects were detected. In the nominal 0.8 cadmium/AVS treatment, measured SEM{sub Cd} commonly exceeded AVS in the surficial 2.4 cm of sediment. Interstitial cadmium concentrations were of likely toxicological significance to highly sensitive species. Shifts in the presence or absence over all taxa, and fewer macrobenthic polychaetes (Mediomastus ambiseta, Streblospio benedicti, and Podarke obscurea) and unidentified meiofaunal nematodes, were observed. In the nominal 3.0 cadmium/AVS treatment, concentrations of SEM{sub Cd} were always greater than AVS throughout the sediment column. Interstitial cadmium ranged from 28,000 to 174,000 {micro}g/L. In addition to the effects above, the sediments were colonized by fewer macrobenthic species, polychaete species, and harpacticoids; had lower densities of diatoms; lacked bivalve molluscs; and exhibited other impacts. Over all treatments, the observed biological responses were consistent with SEM{sub Cd}/AVS ratios in surficial sediments and interstitial water cadmium concentrations.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 483685
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 15; ISSN 0730-7268; ISSN ETOCDK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
ANNELIDS
BENTHOS
BIOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
CADMIUM
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
INTERSTITIAL WATER
SEDIMENTS
SULFIDES
TOXICITY
WATER CHEMISTRY
WATER POLLUTION