Chemical and Biological Characterization of Black Rock Harbor Dredged Material.
Abstract
Black Rock Harbor, Bridgeport, Conn., dredged material contained substantial concentrations of both organic and inorganic contaminants, many of which were shown to be biologically available to the blue mussel, Mytiulus edulis, in a laboratory bioassay. Tissue PCB concentrations were 44% of the concentration found in the sediment (6800 ng/g), while tissue concentrations of parent polynuclear hydrocarbons were 28% of sediment concentrations that ranged up to 9800 ng/g. Also present in the sediment were Cu, Cr, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cd, and Hg at 2380, 1430, 1200, 380, 140, 23, and 1.7 micro/g, respectively. Of these, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Cd accumulated in the mussels. In acute solid phase toxicity tests, the sediment was lethal to only one of the eleven species tested, Ampelisca abdita, although behavioral changes were observed in two additional species, both infaunal species. No effect was noted with epibenthic or water column species in either solid phase or in combination with suspended particulate phase. This investigation is the first phase in developing field-verified-bio-assessment evaluations for the Corps of Engineers and the US Environmental Protection Agency regulatory program for dredged material disposal. This report is not suitable for regulatory purposes; however, appropriate assessment methodologies that are field verified will be available at the conclusion of this program. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA164065
Entities
People
- Gerald Hoffman
- Peter F. Rogerson
- Steven C. Schimmel