The role of acid-volatile sulfide and interstitial water metal concentrations in determining bioavailability of cadmium and nickel from contaminated sediments to the marine polychaete Neanthes arenaceodentata

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620140115· OSTI ID:6527572

Pesch, C E; Hansen, D J; Boothman, W S ^[1]; Berry, W J ^[2]; Mahony, J D ^[3]

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1. Environmental Protection Agency, Narragansett, RI (United States). Environmental Research Lab.
2. Science Applications International Corp., Narragansett, RI (United States)
3. Manhattan Coll., Bronx, NY (United States). Chemistry Dept.

This study investigated the influence of acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) and interstitial water (IW) metal concentrations on bioavailability and toxicity of Cd and Ni to an infaunal sediment-ingesting marine worm, Neanthes Arenaceodentata. Ten-d exposures were conducted with sediments, contaminated primarily with Cd and Ni, from Foundry Cove (Hudson River, NY), and with uncontaminated sediments spiked with Cd or Ni. Molar ratios of simultaneously extracted metal (SEM)/AVS ranged from < 0.02 to 44 for Cd-spiked, 0.02 to 241 for Ni-spiked, and <0.06 to 125 for Foundry Cove sediments. In all experiments, significant mortality was not observed when SEM/AVS ratios were <1.0 and interstitial water toxic units (IWTU) were <1.0. In the Cd and Ni-spiked experiments, when SEM/AVS ratios or IWTUs were >1.0, sediments were either lethal or worms did not burrow. Mortality of worms in Foundry Cove sediments was [le] 20%, and worms burrowed in all these sediments. However, IW contained <1.0 TU (Ni + Cd) in all Foundry Cove sediments except one (IWTU = 1.69). Metal concentrations in worms generally increased with increases in sediment metal concentration, SEM/AVS molar ratio, and IW metal concentration. The presence of metal in worms from sediments from SEM/AVS ratios <1.0 may be evidence of release of Cd or Ni from oxidized metal sulfide (a result of burrowing), uptake of metal from ingested sediment, or adsorption to body surfaces. These results support the hypothesis that when the concentration of AVS in sediments exceeds that of divalent metals sediments will not be acutely toxic. However, a greater number of sediments was correctly predicted to be nontoxic when interstitial water metal concentration of <1.0 TU was used.

• OSTI ID: 6527572
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States) Vol. 14:1; ISSN 0730-7268; ISSN ETOCDK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring &amp; Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism &amp; Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
ANNELIDS
BIOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY
CADMIUM
CHALCOGENIDES
CONTAMINATION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INTERSTITIAL WATER
INVERTEBRATES
METALS
NICKEL
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SEDIMENTS
SENSITIVITY
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TOXICITY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WATER
WATER POLLUTION