Toxicity of Marine Sediments and Pore Waters Spiked With Ordnance Compounds
Abstract
This study was undertaken to help quantify the potential effects of sediment contamination with ordnance compounds to the benthic biota. This objective was achieved by conducting toxicity tests with sediments spiked with ordnance compounds, using whole sediment tests with a benthic amphipod and porewater tests with different life stages of three marine organisms. The selection of ordnance compounds and porewater test species for this study was based on the results of previous studies, where a database for toxicity of eight different ordnance compounds to six marine species was generated. The ordnance compounds selected for the present study were 2,6-dinitrotoluene (2,6-DNT), tetryl and picric acid. Two kinds of sediments were spiked with each ordnance compound. Spiked sediments were allowed to equilibrate for approximately 1 week prior to porewater extraction and to toxicity testing of the solid-phase. Solid-phase tests were conducted using the 10-day acute test with the benthic amphipod, Ampelisca abdita. Porewater toxicity tests were conducted using the 48-hour embryological development test with the sea urchin, Arbacia punctulata, the 96-hour zoospore germination and germling growth test with the macro-alga, Ulva fasciata, and the 7-day survival and reproduction test with the burrowing polychaete, Dinophilus gyroclliatus. These species and endpoints were identified previously as being among the most sensitive for these ordnance compounds.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA383554
Entities
People
- Marion Nipper
- R. S. Carr
Organizations
- Texas A&M University