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ARCS Biological and Chemical Assessment of Contaminated Great Lakes Sediment
US Environmental Protection Agency. December 1993. Abstract and Table of Contents for "Biological and Chemical Assessment of Contaminated Great Lakes Sediment." EPA 905-R93-006. Chicago, Ill.: Great Lakes National Program Office.
Project Officers:
Christopher G. Ingersoll
Denny R. Buckler
National Fisheries Contaminant Research Center
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4200 New Haven Road
Columbia, MO 65201
Eric A. Crecelius
Battelle Northwest Laboratory
Marine Science Laboratories
439 West Sequim Road
Sequim, WA 98382
Thomas W. LaPoint
Clemson University
One TIWET Drive
Pendelton, SC 29670
Funded by
USEPA Great Lakes National Program Office
USFWS Contract Number DW14933874-1
Battelle Contract Number 89934235-0
Project Officer:
David C. Cowgill
Great Lakes National Program Office
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
77 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60604 |
Abstract
The quality assurance (QA) policy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) requires every monitoring and measurement project to have a written and approved quality assurance program and project plan. The purpose of this quality assurance program plan is to specify the policies, organization, objectives, and the quality evaluation and quality control (QC) activities needed to achieve the data quality requirements of the Assessment and Remediation of Contaminated Sediments (ARCS) Program. These specifications are used to assess and control measurement errors that may enter the system at various phases of the program, (during sampling, preparation, and analysis).
This Project Summary was developed by EPA's Environmental Monitoring and Systems Laboratory, Las Vegas, NV, to announce key findings of the research project that is fully documented in a separate report of the same title (see Project Report ordering information at back).
The 1987 amendments to the Clean Water Act, Section 11 8(c)(3), authorize the USEPA Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) to coordinate and conduct a 5-year study and demonstration project relating to the control and removal of toxic pollutants in the Great Lakes, with emphasis on removal of toxic pollutants from bottom sediments. Five areas were specified in the Clean Water Act as requiring priority consideration. |
NOTICE: Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 118 (c)(3) of the Clean Water Act (CUA), as amended by the Water Quality Act of 1987, authorized the USEPA Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) to carry out a 5-year project dealing with the Assessment and Remediation of Contaminated Sediments (ARCS) at selected Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOC). Sediment assessment procedures performed by the National Fisheries Contaminant Research Center (NFCRC) on samples from Indiana Harbor, Buffalo River, and Saginaw River AOCs included: Elutriate Toxicity Tests (Chapters 2 and 3), Whole Sediment Toxicity Tests (Chapter 4), Benthic Community Structure (Chapter 5), and Mutagenicity (Chapter 6) and Genotoxicity (Chapter 7) Assays.
Sediment samples collected from Indiana Harbor were severely contaminated compared to either Buffalo or Saginaw River based on sediment toxicity and chemistry. While sediment samples from Saginaw River were generally less contaminated compared to Buffalo River, considerable spatial variability in contamination was evident at all three AOC. About 41% of the elutriates samples prepared from these sediments were designated as toxic using either Daphnia magna or
Microtox assays. Interpretation of toxicity using Selenastrum capricornutum was complicated by variable nutrient and inorganic carbon concentrations in the elutriate samples.
About 68% of the whole sediment samples were toxic to Hyalella azteca, Chironomus riparius, or
Chironomus tentans in 10-d to 28-d exposures. Fourteen- and 28-d exposures with
Hyalella azteca which monitored effects on survival, body length, and sexual maturation, identified a higher proportion of toxic samples compared to either 14-d exposures with
Chironomus riparius or 10-d exposures with Chironomus tentans.
Oligochaetes and chironomids were the dominant taxa at each AOC indicating impacted benthic communities. Average number of midges with mouth part deformities ranged from 45 to over 77% in samples from the AOCs. Artificial substrate samplers which were colonized in situ sampled a more diverse taxa compared to benthic grab samplers.
Over 90% of organic extracts from sediment samples were classified as mutagenic or genotoxic using Ames and Mutatox assays. Toxicity of the organic extracts complicated interpretations in the Ames assay, but was not a problem in the Mutatox assay.
Each sediment sample contained a complex mixture of inorganic and organic contaminants. Additional studies are required to determine specific contaminants that may be causing adverse effects (e.g., sediment spiking and Toxicity Identification Evaluations).
Data from these studies are to be evaluated with the Sediment Quality Triad which will integrate data from laboratory exposures, benthic community structure, and chemical analyses to provide complementary evidence for the degree of pollution-induced degradation in aquatic communities at each AOC. Results of the Triad evaluations will be discussed in a later report.
This report was submitted in fulfillment of USFWS Contract Number DU14933874-l by the National Fisheries Contaminant Research Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Battelle Contract Number 89934235-0 by Battelle Northwest Laboratories under partial sponsorship of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This report covers a period from 03/01/89 to 11/10/92, and work was completed as of 11/10/92.
Section 118 (c)(3) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), as amended by the Water Quality Act of 1987, authorized the USEPA Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNP0) to carry out a 5-year project dealing with the Assessment and Remediation of Contaminated Sediments (ARCS) in the Great Lakes. Annex 14 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978, as amended, between the United States and Canada stipulated the cooperating parties identify the nature and extent of sediment pollution in the Great Lakes, develop methods to assess effects, and evaluate the technological capability of programs to remedy such pollution. Information from these activities is to be used to guide the development of Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) for the identified Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOC) as well as Lake-wide Management Plans (Ross et al. 1992).
Areas of Concern include major municipal and industrial centers on Great Lakes rivers, harbors, and connecting channels where beneficial uses are impaired (International Joint Commission 1987, 1988a, 1988b). Toxic contamination of bottom sediments is often a major problem in these areas. Additionally, areas exist where impairment of beneficial uses (e.g., navigation, swimming, fishing) of water or biota have been documented. There are currently 42 AOC: 25 in U.S. waters, 12 in Canadian waters, and 5 international connecting channels. The CWA designates five AOC for priority consideration: Saginaw River, MI; Sheboygan Harbor, WI; Indiana Harbor, IN; Ashtabula River, OH; and Buffalo River, NY. This report describes research designed to evaluate the toxicity in AOCs where sediments do not have to be removed to maintain navigational channels, but present a hazard to the ecosystem if left in place.
In order to implement the ARCS program, a management framework was established by GLNPO, which included an Activities and Integration Committee and four technical Work Groups: (1) Toxicity-Chemistry, (2) Risk Assessment Modeling, (3) Engineering-Technology, and (4) Communications-Liaison. The goal of the Toxicity-Chemistry Work Group was to assess the nature and extent of bottom sediment contamination at selected Great Lakes AOC. The Risk Assessment-Modeling Work Group was charged with evaluating the ecological impacts resulting from contaminated sediments and developing techniques for evaluating various remedial alternatives. The Engineering-Technology Work Group evaluated procedures for removal and remediation of contaminated sediments and the Communications-Liaison Work Group facilitated flow of information between Work Groups and to the public. The Activities Integration Committee had oversight over the entire ARCS program and coordinated Quality Control and Quality Assurance (Ross et al. 1992).
The sediment assessment procedures conducted by the National Fisheries Contaminant Research Center (NFCRC) on samples from Indiana Harbor, Buffalo River, and Saginaw River included: Elutriate Toxicity Tests (Chapters 2 and 3), Whole Sediment Toxicity Tests (Chapter 4), Benthic Community Structure (Chapter 5), and Mutagenicity (Chapter 6) and Genotoxicity (Chapter 7) Assays. A separate project by Wright State University (WSU) provided additional toxicity information on splits of select sediment samples from each AOC (Burton et al. 1992). The NFCRC and WSU projects were designed to evaluate sediment evaluation procedures suggested by both the International Joint Commission (International Joint Commission 1988a, 1989) and ASTM (ASTM E 1383-92).
GENERAL
- Sediment samples collected from Indiana Harbor were severely contaminated compared to either Buffalo or Saginaw River based on sediment toxicity and chemistry. While sediment samples from Saginaw River were generally less contaminated compared to Buffalo River, considerable spatial variability in contamination was evident at all three AOCs.
- Each sediment sample contained a complex mixture of inorganic and organic contaminants. Additional studies are required to determine specific contaminants that may be causing adverse effects (e.g., sediment spiking and Toxicity Identification Evaluations).
- Multiple assessment procedures are needed to thoroughly evaluate sediment contamination. Data from these studies are to be evaluated with the Sediment Quality Triad which will integrate data from laboratory exposures, benthic community structure, and chemical analyses to provide complementary evidence for the degree of pollution-induced degradation in aquatic communities at each AOC. Results of the Triad analyses will be discussed in a later report.
- Additional research is needed dealing with factors that control bioavailability of sediment-associated contaminants (e.g., organic carbon, particle size, acid volatile sulfides). Further investigations are needed on factors that control the desorption rates of sediment-sorbed contaminants.
CHAPTER 2: ELUTRIATE TOXICITY TESTS: DAPHNIA MAGNA AND MICROTOX
- Elutriate toxicity tests were conducted with Daphnia magna (48-h exposures) and Microtox (5- and 15-min exposures). About 33% of the 30 elutriate samples tested with daphnids were identified as toxic (i.e., EC50 less than the full-strength elutriate). Forty-one percent of the 39 samples tested with Microtox were identified as toxic. These results indicate that the Microtox test was a more sensitive tool for evaluating the toxicity of sediment elutriate samples compared to the Daphnia magna test.
- Toxicity and chemical analyses of elutriates prepared from Buffalo and Saginaw River sediment samples indicated that sediment contamination at these AOCs may not be as extensive relative to Indiana Harbor.
- Sediment resuspension should be kept to a minimum if contaminated sediments are removed during remediation based on the toxicity and contamination of the elutriate samples.
- Microtox and Daphnia magna toxicity tests with elutriates are useful tools for assessing the potential hazards of contaminated sediments. While the elutriate test can be used to evaluate potential effects of open-water disposal of dredged material, the test may not be appropriate for evaluating in situ effects of contaminated sediments on aquatic organisms.
CHAPTER 3: ELUTRIATE TOXICITY TESTS: SELENASTRUM CAPRICORNUTUM
- Elutriate toxicity tests were conducted using a 24-h 14carbon assimilation algal assay. Interpretation of toxicity using Selenastrum capricornutum was complicated by variable nutrient and inorganic carbon concentrations in the elutriate samples. All of the elutriate samples tested stimulated carbon assimilation of Selenastrum capricornutum in one or more of the dilutions.
- Attempts to modify the algal medium to provide unlimited nutrients were not successful. An algal medium which supports greater growth potential should be developed in order to evaluate the toxicity of environmental samples with high concentrations of nutrients to algae.
- To evaluate the effect of storage on toxicity, additional elutriates were prepared from select whole sediment samples stored for 12 to 16 months after collection. Storage of whole sediments for over a year did not dramatically change toxicity of elutriate samples in the Selenastrum capricornutum or in the Microtox tests.
- An approach for evaluating toxicity in samples that may be stimulatory is presented. This approach needs to be evaluated using reference toxicants.
CHAPTER 4: WHOLE SEDIMENT TOXICITY TESTS
- Whole sediment toxicity tests were conducted with amphipod Hvalella azteca, and the midges Chironomus riparius and chironomus tentans. About 68% of the sediment samples were toxic to Hyalella azteca, Chironomus riparius, or Chironomus tentans in 10-d to 28-d exposures.
- Fourteen- and 28-d exposures with Hyalella azteca which monitored effects on survival, body length, and sexual maturation, identified a higher proportion of toxic samples compared to either 14-d exposures with Chironomus riparius or 10-d exposures with Chironomus tentans.
- Chronic sediment toxicity tests need further development to better determine effects of complex chemical mixtures. These tests should incorporate sublethal responses using representative benthic organisms.
- Toxic responses observed in the whole sediment tests need to be compared to benthic community effects and sediment chemistry to determine if the test are predictive.
CHAPTER 5: BENTHIC COMMUNITY STRUCTURE EVALUATIONS
- Oligochaetes and chironomids were the dominant taxa at each AOC indicating impacted benthic communities.
- Average number of midges with mouth part deformities ranged from 45 to over 77% in samples from the AOCs.
- Results of variance partitioning estimates indicates station and replicates accounted for most of the explained variability.
- Artificial substrate samplers which were colonized in situ sampled a more diverse taxa compared to benthic grab samplers.
- Since most of the variance in benthic community estimates was between stations and replicates, future studies should sample more stations and replicates using a smaller grab sampler.
- Frequency of deformities in chironomids exposed in laboratory toxicity tests (Chapter 4) should be measured and compared to the frequency of deformities in the chironomids collected from the field.
- Assessments of benthic community should use both artificial substrate and grab samplers.
- Additional research is needed evaluating specific contaminant, abiotic, and biotic factors controlling invertebrate distributions in sediments.
CHAPTER 6: AMES MUTAGENICITY ASSAY
- In order to assess the mutagenicity of Great Lakes sediments, unfractionated organic extracts of sediments were screened for mutagenicity using the Ames Salmonella/microsome assay.
- Extracts of sediment samples from every station were both toxic and mutagenic to the bacteria. Toxicity was controlled by varying rat hepatic S9 concentrations and extract dilution.
- Of the four bacterial strains tested, only strain TA98 detected mutagenicity at every station. Although extracts were not fractionated, chemical analysis indicated that as a class, PAHs comprise the greatest percentage by weight of total identified organics. Sediment mutagenicity is likely attributable to PAH compounds.
- Fractionation of samples before testing may allow a greater degree of discrimination and aid in identifying compounds causing the observed mutagenicity.
- Methods should be developed to test elutriate and porewater samples to better evaluate bioavailability of sediment associated contaminants. Studies utilizing passive membrane bag samplers may be useful for this purpose.
CHAPTER 7: MUTATOX GENOTOXICITY ASSAY
- Organic extracts of sediment samples were evaluated with the new activated Mutatox Genotoxicity Assay using rat hepatic S9 for exogenous metabolic activation and a dark mutant strain of the luminescent bacterium Photobacterium phosphoreum for detection of environmental DNA-damaging substances (genotoxins).
- A genotoxic response was indicated when the test chemical restored the luminescent state in bacteria. The degree of light increase indicated the relative genotoxicity of the sample.
- Toxicity of the organic extracts complicated interpretations in the Ames assay, but was not a problem in the Mutatox assay.
- Samples from 27 of 28 stations exhibited evidence of genotoxins, 23 of 28 stations (82%) were designated genotoxic, four were suspect (14%), and one was negative (3%).
- The activated Mutatox Assay was a sensitive, specific, predictive, and rapid test for detecting the presence of genotoxins in complex environmental samples.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE INTRODUCTION
American Society For Testing and Materials. 1992. E 1383-92 Standard Guide For Conducting Sediment Toxicity Tests with Freshwater Invertebrates. ASTM 1992 Annual Book of Standards. Volume 11.04, ASTM, Philadelphia, PA.
Burton, G.A., L. Burnett, P. Landrum, M. Henry, S. Klaine, and M. Swift. 1992. USEPA GLNPO ARCS Final Report: A Multi-Assay/Multi-Test Site Evaluation of Sediment Toxicity. March 31, 1992.
International Joint Commission. 1987. Report on Great Lakes Water Quality. Appendix A. Progress in Developing Remedial Action Plans for Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes Basin. Report to the International Joint Commission Great Lakes Water Quality Board, Windsor, Ontario.
International Joint Commission. 1988a. Procedures for the Assessment of Contaminated Sediment Problems in the Great Lakes. Sediment Subcommittee and its Assessment Work Group Report to the International Joint Commission Great Lakes Water Quality Board, Windsor, Ontario.
International Joint Commission. 1988b. Options for the Remediation of Contaminated Sediments in the Great Lakes. Sediment Subcommittee and its Remedial Options Work Group Report to the International Joint Commission Great Lakes Water Quality Board, Windsor, Ontario.
International Joint Commission. 1989. Guidance on Characterization of Toxic Substances Problems in Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes Basin. Report from the Surveillance Work Group to the International Joint Commission Great Lakes Water Quality Board, Windsor, Ontario.
Ross, P.E., G.A. Burton, Jr., E.A. Crecelius, J.C. Filkins, J.P. Giesy, Jr., C.G. Ingersoll, P.F. Landrum, M.J. Mac, T.J. Murphy, J.E. Rathbun, V.E. Smith, H.E. Tatem, R.W. Taylor. Assessment of Sediment Contamination at Great Lakes Areas of Concern: The ARCS Program Toxicity-Chemistry Work Group Strategy. In Press. |
