Use of the aquatic oligochaete lumbriculus variegatus for assessing the toxicity and bioaccumulation of sediment-associated contaminants
- Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN (United States)
In this paper the authors describe test methods utilizing the aquatic oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus to assess the acute and chronic toxicity and the presence of bioaccumulatable compounds in contaminated sediments. Lumbriculus variegatus was chosen as a test species because (a) it represents an ecologically relevant component of freshwater ecosystems; (b) it is suitable for long-term testing and evaluation of chronic toxicity end points (e.g., growth, reproduction); (c) it is exposed via all important routes of concern, including ingesting of contaminated particles; and (d) it has sufficient biomass to assess bioaccumulation of contaminants. Also, Lumbriculus variegatus is easily cultured and handled. Described herein are culturing procedures and test protocols for Lumbriculus variegatus, as well as two examples of the types of experimental data generated when using the oligochaete in test with contaminated sediments. Two case studies are presented in which L. variegatus was used to assess the bioaccumulation of metals (cadmium, nickel) from contaminated sediments and assess the toxicity of sediment samples collected from the copper-contaminated Keweenaw Waterway system in Michigan.
- OSTI ID:
- 6449634
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States) Vol. 12:2; ISSN 0730-7268; ISSN ETOCDK
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL GROWTH
ANIMALS
ANNELIDS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CADMIUM
CONTAMINATION
COPPER
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ELEMENTS
FRESH WATER
GROWTH
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INVERTEBRATES
METALS
MICHIGAN
NICKEL
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
REPRODUCTION
SEDIMENTS
SENSITIVITY
TOXICITY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA
WATER
WATER POLLUTION