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Contaminated Sediment News
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
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.
Contents |
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.
- 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.
-
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.
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.
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.
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
Sediment Management Work Group
http://www.smwg.org/
European Sediment Research Network
http://www.sednet.org/news.asp
Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society
http://www.aehms.org/
Hazardous Substance Research Centers
http://www.hsrc.org/
Management of Contaminated Sediments (Audio Recording)
http://maven.gtri.gatech.edu/ws/title.html