PM02 Metals in the Environment: Aquatic Biological Perspectives
Exhibit Hall
8:00 AM - Monday, 10 November 2003
(PM037) Relationship between acid volatile sulfides, simultaneously extracted metals, and total organic carbon to 10 d growth in Chironomus riparius.
Alfano, Joy-Elaine1, Bentivegna, Carolyn1, 1 Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, USA
ABSTRACT- Acid volatile sulfides (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) in sediments have been found to affect the bioavailability of divalent cationic metals (heavy metals). If the concentration of SEM exceeded that for AVS, then heavy metals bioaccumulated and reached toxic levels. Total Organic Carbon or TOC (%) has also been found to bind heavy metals thereby reducing their bioavailability. The aim of this research project was to determine AVS and SEM in sediment collected from several sites at a New Jersey freshwater wetland, Kearny Marsh, and to determine if there was a relationship between SEM/AVS and 10 d growth tests in chironomids, Chironomus riparius. This study also explored if the AVS/SEM better indicated toxicity then % TOC when correlated with 10 d growth. Kearny Marsh has been exposed to non-point sources of heavy metals associated with New York City commuter traffic and landfills. Sediment was collected in June and October of 2002. Results for SEM/AVS showed that sites W-3, W-7, W-9, W-10, W-18, and W-22 should be nontoxic. The correlation between SEM/AVS and 10 d growth test was not statistically significant (r2=0.006). However, % TOC did correlate well with 10 d growth (r2=0.800). Therefore, % TOC was a more important factor than SEM/AVS in determining sediment toxicity in this freshwater marsh.
Key words: chironomids, AVS, wetland, heavy metals