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Title: Chronic effects of organochlorine exposure in sediment to the marine polychaete Neanthes arenaceodentata

Journal Article · · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
;  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. EVS Environment Consultants, North Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)
  2. EVS Environment Consultants, Seattle, WA (United States)
  3. Paine, Ledge and Associates, North Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)

Organisms exposed to organochlorinated compounds in sediments are likely to suffer chronic rather than acute effects. Thus, acute toxicity tests are unlikely to truly assess their potential impact. A 120-d toxicity test was designed to assess the impact of polychlorinated biphenyl on the marine polychaete Neanthes arenacedodentata. A two-tiered approach was used: Tier 1 involved reference sediment spiked with a range of concentrations of the organochlorine bracketing the concentrations found in natural sediments, and tier 2 involved field sediments collected from a coastal area contaminated with high concentrations of the same organochlorine. Testing measured a number of endpoints, including survival, growth, and reproduction. Survival and growth were unaffected in either tier by any of the test sediments. Reproductive endpoints, however, were depressed in both tiers relative to the reference sediment.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
514582
Journal Information:
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Vol. 16, Issue 7; Other Information: PBD: Jul 1997
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English