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Bioavailability of Organic Contaminants in Estuarine Sediments to Microbes and Benthic Animals

EPA Grant Number: R825303
Title: Bioavailability of Organic Contaminants in Estuarine Sediments to Microbes and Benthic Animals
Investigators: Taghon, Gary L. , Kosson, David S. , Young, Lily Y.
Current Investigators: Taghon, Gary L. , Kosson, David S. , Rockne, Karl J. , Shor, Leslie M.
Institution: Rutgers University - New Brunswick
EPA Project Officer: Lasat, Mitch
Project Period: October 1, 1996 through September 30, 1999
Project Amount: $496,239
RFA: Bioremediation (1996)
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation

Description:

The purpose of this project is to determine the bioavailability of sediment-associated organic contaminants to microbes and benthic animals. Bioavailability can be defined as the flux of contaminants to the biota. If the flux is below the minimum required by the organism for uptake or utilization, then the contaminant would be considered not bioavailable under the conditions examined. Understanding and quantifying the relationship between the physical and chemical characteristics of sediments and fluxes of contaminants to microbial and animal communities is essential for prudent risk-based decision making. The objectives are to: (1) compare the abiotic flux and bioavailability to bacteria and polychaetes of contaminants from whole sediments and sediment fractions; (2) determine the effects of contaminant aging on flux and bioavailability; (3) compare accumulation of contaminants by polychaetes in the laboratory studies to levels in animals from the field; and (4) mathematically model bioavailability of contaminants to bacteria and polychaetes based on contaminant flux under abiotic and biotic conditions. The sediment for this study will come from the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary, an area impacted by municipal and industrial discharges and petroleum hydrocarbons from the local refineries and loading facilities. Whole sediment will be fractionated by particle size and specific gravity. Hexadecane and hopane/pristane will be model aliphatic hydrocarbons and naphthalene and benzo[a]pyrene will be model PAHs used in the study. Capitella is the model polychaete and their fecal pellets will be compared to the whole and fractionated sediments. Microbial activity will be evaluated as a function of the sediment fractions and of electron acceptors (O2, SO42-, CO32-). Capitella uptake experiments will also be a function of the range of sediment fractions and contaminants. Results from these investigations will be used in development of a mathematical model that will provide quantitative description of contaminant bioavailability in the impacted estuarine environments. This can also be used to evaluate contaminant risk.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 29 publications for this project

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 9 journal articles for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

watersheds, exposure, indicators, environmental biology, zoology, modeling. , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water, Geographic Area, Scientific Discipline, Waste, RFA, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Water & Watershed, Biology, exploratory research environmental biology, Ecology, Bioavailability, Chemistry, Ecological Indicators, Biochemistry, Environmental Microbiology, Ecological Effects - Human Health, Watersheds, Chemical Mixtures - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecosystem Protection, Contaminated Sediments, Bioremediation, State, exposure assessment, risk assessment, fate and transport, chemical transport, risk analysis, kinetic studies, contaminated aquifers, risk-based decisions, New York (NY), contaminated sediment, contaminant release, contaminant transport, aquatic ecosystems, contaminants in soil, microbiology, bioremediation of soils, benthic animals, microbes, soil characterization, aquifer sediments, mixed organic contaminants, New Jersey (NJ), sediments

Progress and Final Reports:
1999 Progress Report
Final Report

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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