Assessment of methods for estimating aquatic hazards at superfund‐type sites: A cautionary tale

Abstract

Field studies, laboratory experiments and theoretical calculations were used to estimate the ecological risk caused by the release of toxic organic compounds from the Baird and McGuire Superfund hazardous waste site to the Cochato River, a small river in eastern Massachusetts. The results from the field studies, which included (a) direct measurements of chemical concentrations in sediments and fish tissues; (b) direct measurements of chemical concentrations in dialysis bags filled with hexane and placed in the river; and (c) taxonomic surveys at stations upstream of, adjacent to and downstream of the site, were compared to the results from laboratory tests and computer models, which included (d) toxicity bioassays, (e) toxicity quotients based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's interim sediment quality criteria, and (f) estimates of bioaccumulation using equilibrium and fugacity models. The resulting patchwork of confirmatory and contradictory findings highlights the limitations of available theoretical and laboratory methods and cautions against reliance on any single method of quantifying stress to aquatic ecosystems.

Integrated Risk Assessments for the Management of Contaminated Sediments in Estuaries and Coastal Systems

“…These have been developed in an attempt to account for the potential effects of multiple contaminants (assuming simple additivity), as well as the magnitude of exceedance above relevant SQGs. Various SQGQ methods have been developed and tested for their ability to accurately predict toxicity (Burmaster et al, 1991;Hyland et al, 1999;Thompson et al, 1999;Bombardier and Blaise, 2000;MacDonald et al, 2000b;Fairey et al, 2001;Ingersoll et al, 2001Ingersoll et al, , 2002Linkov et al, 2001;Long et al, 2002;Birch and Taylor, 2002;Crane et al, 2002;Grapentine et al, 2002b;Hyland et al, 2003;Tannenbaum et al, 2003;Riba et al, 2003). Because the mSQGQs generate a single number for each sam ple or site, which integrates information on all contaminants considered, it is, like the index-based values described below, a valuable communication graphical toolsites can be ranked or maps can be contoured to illustrate relative chemical screening risk (see Figure 3).…”

Assessing and managing contaminated sediments: Part II, evaluating risk and monitoring sediment remedy effectiveness

“…Tissue chemistry measurements can directly assess bioavailability and integrate exposure over time from the water, sediment, and food web pathways. However, an uncertain relationship exists between tissue residues and bioeffects and metabolism or bioregulation may result in no linkage between exposure concentrations and tissue residues (Burmaster et al 1991). In addition, much variability often exists between species and individuals of the same species.…”

Passivsammler für die zeitintegrierte chemische und toxikologische Überwachung des Schadstoffgehaltes in Grund- und Oberflächenwasser

“…The principle underlying this technology is the bioavailability of sorbed contaminants, thereby eliminating the need for solvent extraction. Zabik et al 1992, Burmaster et al 1991). PolyethylenMembranen neigen zu starken L6semittel-Verlusten, wohingegen bei Zellulose nur geringe Abnahmen festzustellen sind (Sabaliunas und S6dergren 1996).…”