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Test Methods, Sediment Quality Guidelines and TIE
Project Summary
This project involves several related efforts to develop tools for the assessment of contaminated sediments. Early work focused on the development of methods for testing the toxicity of field sediments to benthic organisms, using both short- and long-term exposures. In addition, research was undertaken to develop the theoretical basis for predicting the bioavailability and toxicity of sediment-associated contaminants, and to apply this understanding to the development of sediment quality guidelines. Finally, methods were developed to identify the causes of toxicity in field sediments, including methods for both whole sediment and interstitial water toxicity. Results from this research have been incorporated into Agency guidance documents (see products below).
Key products
Cormier, S.M.., J.F. Paul, R.L. Spehar. 2008. Estimation of effect thresholds for the development of water quality criteria. In: I. Linkov, E. Ferguson, V.S. Magar, Eds., Real-Time and Deliberative Decision Making, Springer, the Netherlands, pp. 159-178.
Mattson, V.R. J.R. Hockett, T.L. Highland, G.T. Ankley, and D.R. Mount. 2008. Effects of low dissolved oxygen on organisms used in freshwater sediment toxicity tests. Chemosphere. 70:1840-1844.
Sediment Toxicity Identification Evaluation (TIE): Phases I, II, and III Guidance Document. 2007. EPA/600/R-07/080. http://www.epa.gov/nheerl/publications/files/Sediment%20TIE%20Guidance%20Document.pdf
Heinis, L.J., T.L. Highland, and D.R. Mount. 2004. A method for testing the aquatic toxicity of sediment extracts for use in identifying organic toxicants in sediments. Environmental Science & Technology 38:6256-6262
Procedures for the Derivation of Equilibrium Partitioning Sediment Benchmarks (ESBs) for the Protection of Benthic Organisms: Metal Mixtures (Cadmium, Copper, Lead, Nickel, Silver, and Zinc). 2002. EPA/600/R-02/011. http://www.epa.gov/nheerl/publications/files/metalsESB_022405.pdf
Procedures for the Derivation of Equilibrium Partitioning Sediment Benchmarks (ESBs) for the Protection of Benthic Organisms: PAH Mixtures. 2002. EPA/600/R-02/013. http://www.epa.gov/nheerl/publications/files/PAHESB.pdf
Methods for Measuring the Toxicity and Bioaccumulation of Sediment-associated Contaminants with Freshwater Invertebrates. 2000. EPA/600/R-99/064. http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/cs/library/freshmanual.pdf
Project personnel
| Name | Phone | |
| David Mount | mount.david@epa.gov | 218-529-5157 |
| Larry Heinis | ||
| Terry Highland | ||
| J. Russell Hockett | ||
| Correne Jenson | ||
| Teresa Norberg-King |
Research project update date
September 16, 2008