Chronic Sublethal Effects of San Francisco Bay Sediments on Nereis (Neanthes) arenaceodentata; Full Life-Cycle Exposure to Bedded Sediments
Abstract
This report is designed to address concerns regarding the potential chronic sublethal toxicity of San Francisco Bay sediments. To this end, the chronic sublethal effects of seven San Francisco Bay area sediments were evaluated in a full life-cycle exposure with the marine polychaete worm Nereis (Neanthes) arenaceodentata. Animals were exposed from early juvenile stage through production of a second generation. Test end points were survival, growth, and reproduction. All test sediments were composites of several cores taken to project depth (38 ft (11.6 m) below mean low water mark) from a specific area. Reference sediments were collected from three potential in-bay disposal areas: on the mound at the Alcatraz disposal site, surrounding areas adjacent to the mound, the Bay Farm Borrow Pit in South Bay, and from an area outside the bay, Point Reyes. Project sediments were collected from three areas in Oakland Harbor: Oakland Inner Harbor; Oakland Outer Harbor, and from areas of Oakland Inner Harbor known to be contaminated, Oakland Contaminated. The control sediment was from Sequim, WA. Survival could not be quantified because of early reproduction in some of the test sediments. Worm wet weights in all San Francisco Bay sediments were significantly depressed relative to controls. Similarly, reproduction was significantly lower for those worms exposed to Bay sediments relative to the control. Results of total Kjeldahl Nitrogen analysis suggest that differences in growth and reproductive output may have arisen from the poor nutritive value of the test sediments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA268207
Entities
People
- David W. Moore
- Thomas M. Dillon