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 00:00:00 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), Vol. 14:1; ISSN 0730-7268
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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