Use of population modeling to interpret a 21-day sediment elutriate bioassay with Daphnia magna
- USAE Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS (United States)
- AScI Corp., Vicksburg, MS (United States)
Sediment contamination was evaluated in 17 Great Lakes sediments using a 21-day sediment elutriate bioassay with D. magna. Sediment type had a significant effect on survival at the conclusion of the test, age at first reproduction, the number of broods produced, and the total number of young produced per adult. Sediments producing low survivorship also had negative effects on reproduction. However, a broad range of reproductive responses were found among sediments with high survivorship. To integrate all of these results a stochastic matrix population model was constructed for each of the sediment treatments. Survivorship, age at first reproduction, and total fecundity were all important determinants of population growth. However, modeling results indicated that independent examination of the endpoints measured during the test does not accurately reflect effects at the population level; i.e., no one endpoint appeared to have an overriding effect on population growth. The amount of total suspended solids (TSS) in the elutriates had a strong effect on the reproductive endpoints measured; TSS was negatively correlated with age at first reproduction and positively correlated with per brood fecundity and measures of population growth. Demographic modeling appears to be a useful method for integrating the effects of multiple endpoints and for providing ecologically relevant interpretive guidance.
- OSTI ID:
- 49538
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9410273-; TRN: IM9523%%361
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 15. annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), Denver, CO (United States), 30 Oct - 3 Nov 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 15th annual meeting: Abstract book. Ecological risk: Science, policy, law, and perception; PB: 286 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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