Do aquatic effects or human health end points govern the development of sediment-quality criteria for nonionic organic chemicals

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620120312· OSTI ID:6337552

Parkerton, T F ^[1]; Connolly, J P; Thomann, R V ^[2]; Uchrin, C G ^[3]

---

1. Manhattan Coll., Riverdale, NY (United States) Rutgers, The State Univ. of New Jersey, New Brunswick (United States)
2. Manhattan Coll., Riverdale, NY (United States)
3. Rutgers, The State Univ. of New Jersey, New Brunswick (United States)

The equilibrium partitioning theory may be used to describe the partitioning of nonionic organic chemicals between water, sediment, and aquatic biota. This paradigm was employed to compare the relative magnitudes of organic carbon-normalized sediment-quality criteria that are intended to protect either benthic organisms from the direct toxic effects of sediment-associated chemicals or humans from the indirect health effects posed by the ingestion of contaminated aquatic animals. Comparison of calculated sediment-quality criteria for a variety of hydrophobic chemicals suggests that human health-based end points often result in more restrictive criteria than aquatic effects-based values. Review of published field data indicates that the equilibrium partitioning paradigm may, depending on contaminant class, either over- or underestimate the extent to which sediment-associated contaminations are bioaccumulated. Despite the limitations of adopting this simple theory for criteria development, calculations reveal that regulatory decisions involving sediments contaminated with such chemicals may be dictated by human health concerns if current risk assessment methodologies are applied.

• OSTI ID: 6337552
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States) Vol. 12:3; ISSN 0730-7268; ISSN ETOCDK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
CONTAMINATION
FOOD CHAINS
INGESTION
INTAKE
INTERFACES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
RISK ASSESSMENT
SEDIMENT-WATER INTERFACES
SEDIMENTS
SENSITIVITY
WATER POLLUTION