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Contaminated Sediment News
Issue 32 - November/December 2002
Welcome to the Contaminated Sediments News, a monthly review of recent
journal articles, issues in the press, upcoming conferences, and other
news. This website will replace the Contaminated Sediments Newsletter,
which was published quarterly through the summer of 2000. Items for the
CS News are chosen from the results of a detailed search of a number of
scientific and technical publication databases, as well as from searches
of media publication databases (including newspapers and magazines).
Check back to this site frequently to see each new issue of the Contaminated
Sediments News, and visit the CS News
Archive to find past issues.
Note: The summaries found on this website are based on articles from
the press and from peer-reviewed publications, and they represent the
opinions of the original authors. The views of authors expressed herein
do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government,
and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service
by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily
constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the
United States Government.
Summarized Journal Articles
- Acoustic instrumentation for measuring near-bed
sediment processes and hydrodynamics – Improvements in
understanding and modeling of interactions between biological and physical
sediment processes were evaluated by studying sediment processes and
their relationship to bedforms, hydrodynamics, and benthic biology.
New acoustic instruments, including a triple frequency acoustic backscatter
system, (ABS); a uniaxial, and triple axis, coherent Doppler velocity
profiler, (CDVP); a sand ripple imager (SRI); and a sand ripple profiler
(SRP), were used to make simultaneous, co-located in situ measurements
of suspended sediments, near-bed velocities, and bed morphology. These
new instruments can measure the hydrodynamic and sediment parameters
with centimetric resolution.
Source: Betteridge, L. et al.; Acoustic instrumentation for measuring
near-bed sediment processes and hydrodynamics; In Press in Journal
of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 14 December 2002.
- Studies on biomarkers of
copper exposure and toxicity in the marine amphipod Gammarus locusta
(Crustacea): I. Introduction of metallothionein and lipid peroxidation
– The marine amphipod Gammarus locusta was exposed
to sublethal concentration ranges of copper (Cu) in water or spiked
sediments; the resulting bioaccumulation of Cu and effects on putative
metallothionenin (MT) and liquid peroxidation (LP) were analyzed. Another
study included a time-course exposure study (over 10 days) to a single
water-borne concentration of Cu. Differential pulse polarography and
thiobarbituric acid-reactive malondialdehyde equivalents quantified
MT and LP. The result of the increasing levels of Cu in water and sediment
exposures was an enhanced uptake of Cu by G. locusta. The results
showed that exposure to water-borne Cu had a response in the synthesis
of putative MT, with the levels increasing, and in comparison with controls,
there were higher levels of LP (p<0.001). The study found that MT
may protect against the prooxidant effects of Cu, based on the inverse
relationship between putative MT induction and occurrence of LP. In
conclusion, MT and LP were shown to have the potential to be applied
as biomarkers in G. locusta.
Correia, A.D. et al.; Studies on biomarkers of copper exposure
and toxicity in the marine amphipod Gammarus locusta (Crustacea):
I. Introduction of metallothionein and lipid peroxidation;
Biomarkers 7 (5): 422-437 September-October 2002.
- Influence of oligomeric silicic
and humic acids on aluminum accumulation in a freshwater grazing invertebrate
– In this study, the influence of oligomeric silicic acid and
humic acid on aluminum in the water column and its accumulation in the
freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis was analyzed. Oligomeric
silica and humic acid helped to reduce (up to 83%) the concentration
of Al in the water column. In L. stagnalis, the digestive gland,
and, to a lesser extent, in the remaining soft tissues, had an Al accumulation;
which was reduced by oligomeric silica. Aluminum accumulation in the
digestive gland was unchanged, although less accumulated in the remaining
tissues, in the presence of humic acid. Results of this study include
that both oligomeric silica and humic acid influence Al bioavailability,
and Si is upregulated in the digestive gland when in the presence of
Al.
Desouky, M.M. et al.; Influence of oligomeric silicic and humic
acids on aluminum accumulation in a freshwater grazing invertebrate;
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 53 (3): 382-387, November 2002.
- Measurement of arsenic species
in marine sediments by high-performance liquid chromatography—inductively
coupled plasma mass spectrometry – While preserving
the two redox states of arsenic, extraction of sediments with phosphoric
acid (0.5 M) and hydroxylamine hydrochloride (0.1 M) allowed the measurement
of labile arsenic species. Using HPLC-ICP-MS, measurements of the forms
and concentrations of arsenic species were completed. To separate arsenic
species, a Hamilton PRP X-100 strong anion exchange column using a 20
mM ammonium phosphate buffer (pH 6 and 9.2) were employed. For sediments
spiked with As(III), recoveries of between 89 and 104% were obtained
from four oxic certified reference sediments and an anoxic sediment,
while recoveries of sediments spiked with As(V) were quantitative. Anoxic
sediments can contain high concentrations of As(III) and two arsenosugars
(sulfonate-ribose and sulfate-ribose), indicated by application of the
method to sediment samples from the marine Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia.
Arsenic had extraction efficiencies that ranged between 6 and 82%. Depending
on what type of extraction procedure that was used, this strongly determined
the arsenic species that were measured in sediments. Sediments that
were not freeze dried and when exposure to air was minimized had much
higher concentrations of As(III) and arsenosugar concentrations than
those sediments that were freeze dried and oxidized. Those samples that
were exposed to air had higher concentrations of As(V).
Ellwood, M. et al.; Measurement of arsenic species in marine
sediments by high-performance liquid chromatography—inductively
coupled plasma mass spectrometry; Analytica Chimica Acta 477
(2): 279-291, 3 February 2002.
- The dissipation, distribution,
and fate of a branched C-nonylphenol isomer in lake water/sediment systems
– In investigations on its metabolism and estrogenicity in aquatic
organisms, a single tertiary isomer (believed to be one of the major
branched isomers of the isometric nonylphenol) was synthesized. In order
to enable the prediction of the isomer’s behavior in aquatic environments,
the physico-chemical properties of the isomer were established. The
results of this paper found that the isomer had a half-life dissipation
of 38.1 days in an open lake water system and 20.1 days in an open lake
water/sediment system, which were determined from laboratory investigations
on its dissipation and distribution in lake water. It was also found
to be rapidly portioned into sediment, which gave a high concentration
factor of 1.76 after 28 days with an initial dose concentration of 2.52
ppm. In both the lake water and sediment, however, the isomer was resistant
to biodegredation, revealing only a minimal 9% loss (after 56 days)
and 4.2% loss (after 28 days), of the C-nonylphenol residues in lake
water and lake water/sediment systems, by microbial activity. After
14 days, this study found (by HPLC analysis in both lake water and sediment
samples) that transformation to other more polar metabolites (possibly
by hydroxylation) was minimal. Transformation to a more polar metabolite
in lake water (2.25%) and sediment (7.4%) samples was found after 7
days.
Lalah, J.O. et al.; The dissipation, distribution, and fate of
a branched C-nonylphenol isomer in lake water/sediment systems;
Environmental Pollution 122 (2): 195-203, April 2003.
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Mobility and toxicity of metals in sandy sediments deposited
on land – In order to investigate the impact of land
deposition of contaminated sediments on the bioavailability and mobility
of metals, a timed series of laboratory experiments were performed.
At sites where elevated levels of cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) were
expected, four sandy sediments were sampled. In periods ranging from
1 to 45 days of land deposition, the physical and chemical characteristics,
as well as ecotoxicity of sediments, pore waters, and leachates, were
analyzed. Calculations of Cd and Zn retardation and leaching potential
were conducted, and this simulation provided good predictions of subsequently
observed Cd and Zn mobility. In sediments that had decreasing pH and
decreasing content of organic matter, the mobility and leaching of
Cd and Zn increased. Observations included an increase in sediment
toxicity to plants, as well as an increase in eluate toxicity to invertebrates.
Lower toxicity enhancement of the sediments and a higher toxicity
enhancement of the eluates were a result of a high rate of water flow
through the sediment. This result shows that water flow through the
sediment minimizes the actual toxicity of Cd and Zn in the upper layer
of deposited sediment, while simultaneously intensifying the risk
of groundwater contamination.
Prokop, Z. et al.; Mobility and toxicity of metals in sandy sediments
deposited on land; Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, In
Press, Available online 10 December 2002.
-
A comparison of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and petroleum
hydrocarbon uptake by mussels (Perna viridis) and semi-permeable
membrane devices (SPMDs) in Hong Kong coastal waters –
Five sites in Hong Kong’s coastal waters were studied to compare
the ability of mussels (Perna viridis) and semi-permeable
membrane devices (SPMDs) to accumulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs) and petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs). Higher levels of contaminants
were consistently found in the mussels. Using the mussels to study
PAH and PHC was limited at one highly polluted site because of mortality.
At a particular site, mussels and SPMDs were found to have different
and inconsistent rates of uptake of PAH and PHC. Due to different
PAH and PCH accumulation patterns, SPMDs cannot be used as “mimics,”
even though they overcome a variety of disadvantages in employing
living organisms to measure contaminants in marine waters.
Richardson, B. et al.; A comparison of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
and petroleum hydrocarbon uptake by mussels (Perna viridis) and semi-permeable
membrane devices (SPMDs) in Hong Kong coastal waters; Environmental
Pollution 122 (2): 223-227, April 2003.
-
Mussel transplantation and biomarkers as useful tools for
assessing water quality in the NW Mediterranean – Mussels
(from an aquaculture farm located in a clean open bay) were transplanted
to several stations including a reference site in the bays of Nice
and Cannes (NW Mediterranean). In the transplanted mussels, several
biomarkers were measured, including activities of glutathione S-transferase
(GST; exposure to organics), of catalase (exposure to oxidative stress),
and of acetycholinesterase (AChE; inhibited by some pesticides), and
lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; TBARS).
Measurements of Cd, Cu, and Zn concentrations, as well as their condition
index, were also taken. When comparing results, the condition index,
as well as some seasonal variations in GST and catalase activities,
had higher levels in June than in October. Principal component analyses
conducted with the entire data set helped to separate stations or
groups of stations. In October 1999, mussels from Nice harbour were
characterized by high TBARS levels and catalase activities; in June
2000, mussels from Cannes harbour showed very high copper concentrations
and GST activities. Low enzymatic activities (except AChE activity)
and peroxidation levels and low heavy metal concentrations were present
in mussels from the reference site.
Romeo, M. et al.; Mussel transplantation and biomarkers as useful
tools for assessing water quality in the NW Mediterranean; Environmental
Pollution 122 (3): 369-378, April 2003.
- Growth responses of an estuarine fish exposed
to mixed trace elements in sediments over a full life cycle
– In order to examine lethal and sublethal bioenergetic effects
(metabolic rate, lipid storage, growth, reproduction) over a full life
cycle (>1 year), hatchling Cyprinodon variegatus were grown
in the presence or absence of sediments contaminated with mixed trace
elements. Using a site receiving coal combustion residues (CCR), contaminated
sediments were taken and then were elevated in a variety of trace elements,
which included Al, As, Ba, Cd, Cu, Se, and V. Using two levels of salinity
(5 and 36 ppt), exposures were performed to analyze the possible interaction
of this variable with contaminants. Throughout the study, several CCR-related
trace elements, including As, Cd, Se, and V, were accumulated on fish
exposed to contaminated sediment. In this study, there were no differences
in metabolic expenditures nor in fish survival for contaminated sediment
treatments and uncontaminated sediment treatments. Due to contaminant
exposure, however, growth, male condition factor, and storage lipid
content in females were reduced. There were no significant effects on
fecundity or the proportion of females that were gravid at the end of
the study. Females that were raised under control conditions produced
12% larger eggs than those females raised on contaminated sediments.
The effects of exposure became apparent later in life. In the most-sensitive
early life stages, individuals were not noticeably impacted by contaminants.
Exposures concentrated only on specific life stages may considerably
underestimate the overall responses brought out by individuals because
different species live in contaminated areas for long periods of time,
often throughout the entire life cycle.
Rowe, Christopher L.; Growth responses of an estuarine fish exposed
to mixed trace elements in sediments over a full life cycle;
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 54 (2): 229-239, February 2003.
-
Analysis and application of ichnofabrics –
Bioturbation, at all scales, is now acknowledged as a major player
in facies interpretation. This process, bioturbation, replaces the
primary fabric of a sediment by the ichnofabric, which is the overall
fabric of a sediment that has been bioturbated. The factors and processes
that establish the nature of the ichnofabric include the many ways
that the substrate is tiered by bioturbators, the manner in which
the substrate can be colonized, and the physical, chemical, and ecological
controls (grainsize, sedimentation rate, oxygenation, nutrition, salinity,
ethology, community structure and succession). There are 11 main styles
of substrate tiering explained, ranging from single, pioneer colonization
to complex tiering under equilibria. Four attributes that can be used
to analyze ichnofabrics include: primary sedimentation factors, Bioturbation
Index (BI), burrow size and frequency, and ichnological diversity.
Visualization and comparison are helped by construction of tier and
ichnofabric constituent diagrams. The surfaces are emphasized by breaks
or changes in colonization and style of tiering at key stratal surfaces.
Changes in hydrodynamic regime (leading to non-deposition and/or erosion
and/or lithification), changes in salinity regime, or subaerial exposure
show changes in a major environmental shift of the trace-forming biota.
Changes in environmental patterns can be analyzed as the succession
of gradational or abrupt changes in ichnofabric through genetically
related successions, along with changes in colonization and tiering
across event beds. The environmental conditions determine the overall
style of colonization, not the ichnotaxa, in discriminating between
ichnofabrics. Those fabrics composed of similar tier structure and
ichnoguild, but different ichnotaxa (and different taphonomies), may
develop in similar environments of different ages or latitudes. Ancient
ichnofabrics can be placed on a sound process-related basis for environmental
interpretation with the use of appreciation of colonization and tiering
styles.
Taylor, A. et al.; Analysis and application of ichnofabrics;
Earth-Science Reviews 60 (3-4): 227-259, February 2003.
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Other Journal Titles of Interest
- New modeling paradigms for the sorption of hydrophobic
organic chemicals to heterogeneous carbonaceous matter in soils, sediments,
and rocks. Allen-King, Richelle M., Peter Grathwohl, and William
P. Ball. Advances in Water Resources 25 (8-12): 985-1016, August-December
2002.
- Detecting genotoxicity using the Comet assay
following chronic exposure of Manila clam Tapes semidecussatus to polluted
estuarine sediments. Coughlan, B.M., M.G.J. Hartl, S.J. O’Reilly,
D. Sheehan, C. Morthersill, F.N.A.M. van Pelt, J. O’Halloran,
and N.M. O’Brien. Marine Pollution Bulletin 44 (12): 1359-1365,
December 2002.
- Toxicity of 1,4-dichlorobenzene in sediments
to juvenile polychaete worms. McPherson, Cathy A., Armando
Tang, Peter M. Chapman, Laura A. Taylor, and Stephen J. Gormican. Marine
Pollution Bulletin 44 (12): 1405-1414, December 2002.
- Biofouling confounds the uptake of trace organic
contaminants by semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs). Richardson,
Bruce J., Paul K.S. Lam, Gene J. Zheng, Katherine E. McClellan, and
Sharon B. De Luca-Abbott. Marine Pollution Bulletin 44 (12): 1372-1379,
December 2002.
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Upcoming Events and Conferences
All of these links exit EPA 
- Analyzing and Interpreting Contaminated Harbour
and River Sediment (course) Victoria, British Columbia. January
26-29, 2003. For more information, visit the website: http://www.damsafety.org/trainingevents/eventdetail.aspx?GroupId=5&Id=817&showEvent=1.
- 13th Annual West Coast Conference on Contaminated
Soils, Sediments & Water, San Diego, California. This conference
is March 17-20. For more information, contact Brenna Bartell at 413-549-5170;
e-mail brenna@aehs.com; or visit the
website www.aehs.com/conferences/westcoast.
- Environmental Stability of Chemicals in Sediments
Workshop. This workshop occurs April 8-10 in San Diego, CA.
For more information, contact Susan Vasich at 313-465-7978 or smv@honigman.com; or look at
the website: http://www.smwg.org/.
- Coastal Sediments 2003. This conference
occurs May 18-23 in Clearwater Beach, FL. Coastal Sediments '03 is a
multi-disciplinary international conference convened for researchers
and practitioners to discuss science and engineering issues of coastal
sediment processes. Visit the website for more information: http://www.coastalsediments.net/.
- 2nd International Symposium on Contaminated Sediments.
This conference is May 26-28 in Quebec City, Canada. Conference is subtitled
“Characterization, Evaluation, Mitigation/Restoration, Management
Strategy, and Performance.” For more information, contact Helene
Tremblay at 418-656-2193; e-mail: SCS2003@ggl.ulaval.ca or
visit the conference website.
- In Situ Contaminated Sediment Capping Workshop
A national workshop to review the science, technology and applications
of capping at contaminated sediment sites, examine lessons learned,
and discuss future directions. For further information, http://www.epri.com/event_attachments/1686_1007587.pdf
- In Situ and On-Site Bioremeditation.
This conference happens in Orlando, FL, June 2-5. For more information,
contact the Conference Group at 800-783-6338 or 614-424-5461; e-mail:
info@confgroupinc.com; or
see the website: http://www.battelle.org/biosymp.
- International Association for Great Lakes Research
Global Threats to Large Lakes: Managing in an Environment of Instability
and Unpredictability. The conference occurs June 22-26 in Chicago,
IL. For more information, contact Marc Tuchman at the EPA’s Great
Lakes National Program Office at 312-353-1369 or email at tuchman.marc@epa.gov.
- Second International Conference on the Remediation
of Contaminated Sediments - The Second International Sediment
Remediation Conference will be held in the autumn of 2003 in Venice,
Italy. Organizers say the city is an ideal setting for a conference
on this topic because of the sediments remediation efforts being exerted
there by the local, regional, and national governments. The Call for
Abstracts brochure is expected to be available in July 2002, and abstracts
to be considered for the program will be due in December 2002. To request
a copy of the Call for Abstracts, visit the Sediment
Remediation Conference website.
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Websites of Interest
EPA
Region 10's Marine Sediment Data Page. Complete data setsare
posted here for several Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) and
Non-NPL site marine sediment investigations. Data can be viewed directly
or downloaded for use in spreadsheet or database management applications.
Data for additional sites will be posted when available.
All of these links exit EPA
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