Use of sublethal endpoints in sediment toxicity tests with the amphipod, Hyalella azteca
- Geological Survey, Columbia, MO (United States). Environmental and Contaminants Research Center
Short-term sediment toxicity tests that only measure effects on survival can be used to identify high levels of contamination but may not be able to identify marginally contaminated sediments. The objective of the present study was to develop a method for determining the potential sublethal effects of contaminants associated with sediment on the amphipod Hyalella azteca (e.g., reproduction). This method was used to evaluate a formulated sediment and field-collected sediments with low to moderate concentrations of contaminants. Survival of amphipods in these sediments was typically >85% after the 28-d sediment exposures are the 14-d holding period in water to measure reproduction. Reproduction was more variable than growth; hence, more replicates in sediment tests often provides unique information that can be used to discriminate toxic effects of exposure to contaminants. Either length or weight can be measured in sediment tests with H. azteca. However, additional statistical options are available if length is measured on individual amphipods, such as nested analysis of variance that can account for variance in length within replicates. Ongoing water-only studies testing select contaminants will provide additional data on the relative sensitivity and variability of sublethal endpoints in toxicity tests with H. azteca.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 675397
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Vol. 17, Issue 8; Other Information: PBD: Aug 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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