Risk of Pore Water Hydrogen Sulfide Toxicity in Dredged Material Bioassays
Abstract
Generally, hydrogen sulfide is not treated as a contaminant of concern in the regulatory evaluation of dredged material since it undergoes rapid oxidation and dilution during dredging and disposal. However, because dredged material is evaluated using effects-based testing (i.e., whole sediment and elutriate toxicity tests), there is the potential for H2S to exert toxicity and confound the regulatory decision-making process. To evaluate the potential for hydrogen sulfide toxicity in dredged material bioassays, a literature review and survey to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Divisions and Districts were conducted. Data included (a) reported environmental pore water exposure concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and (b) effects concentrations shown to cause toxicity in laboratory studies with aquatic species. While the majority (>60 percent) of reported environmental pore water concentrations were >100 micronMeter H2S/1, almost all (90 percent) of reported effects were found at concentrations 400 micronMeter HzS/1. This simple comparison of reported exposure and effects concentrations suggests that there is a strong Potential for hydrogen sulfide toxicity in dredged material bioassays. However, a number of biases in this limited data set are discussed that must be considered before any definitive conclusions can be drawn.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA434428
Entities
People
- David W. Moore
- Jerre G. Sims