Application of Sister Chromatid Exchange in Marine Polychaetes to Black Rock Harbor Sediment. Laboratory Documentation Phase.
Abstract
This report presents an evaluation of the applicability of the cytogenetic technique of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) to measure genotoxic effects of highly contaminated dredged material, and the degree of variability and reproducibility inherent in the procedure. This project is part of the US Environmental Protection Agency/Corps of Engineers Field Verification Program. The SCE technique was applied to Nephtys incisa, an infaunal polychaete dominant in the benthic community at the Central Long Island Sound disposal site. The SCE response was measured in N. incisa exposed to suspended particulate and bedded phases of Black Rock Harbor (BRH) sediment in the laboratory. Neanthes arenaceodentata, a surrogate spcies, was tested in parallel to N. incisa. With the exception of one treatment in one experiment, the worm chromosomes were uniformly nonresponsive to BRH sediment. Replicate treatments within an experiment did not differ significantly for N. arenaceodentata. Differences between experiments and between species within a experiment were found. The reason for the differences are known. Differences in ability to metabolize polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, found in high concentrations in BRH sediments, is a likely but specalative reason. Clearly, additional research is needed before SCE could be used for routine testing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA157372
Entities
People
- C. E. Pesch
- Christina Mueller
- G. G. Pesch
- J. Heltshe
- P. S. Schauer