Contaminant Chemistry and Toxicity of Sediments in Sydney Harbour, Australia: Spatial Extent and Chemistry–Toxicity Relationships
Vol. 363: 71–87, 2008 MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES Published July 15 doi: 10.3354/meps07445 Mar Ecol Prog Ser Contaminant chemistry and toxicity of sediments in Sydney Harbour, Australia: spatial extent and chemistry–toxicity relationships Gavin F. Birch1,*, Stephanie McCready1, Edward R. Long2, Stuart S. Taylor1, 3, Gina Spyrakis1 1School of Geosciences, Environmental Geology Group, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia 2ERL Environmental, 3691 Cole Road South, Salem, Oregon 97306, USA 3URS, 116 Miller St., North Sydney, New South Wales, 2060, Australia ABSTRACT: The spatial distribution of chemical contamination and toxicity of surficial sediments in Sydney Harbour, Australia, was investigated in a 3-tiered, hierarchical approach. An initial chemical investigation throughout the entire estuary (Stage 1) indicated wide ranges and different spatial patterns in sediment chemical concentrations. Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) were used as a preliminary estimate of possible toxicity in Stage 2 of the investigation. Assessment of chemical mixtures indicated that sediments in a small part (~2%) of the harbour had the highest probability of being toxic (~75%), whereas sediment in almost 25% of the port was estimated to have an inter- mediate (~50%) probability of being toxic. The SQG assessment in Stage 2 enabled careful stratifica- tion of the harbour into areas with different toxicity risks, reducing cost and time commitments in the final tier of assessment. The spatial survey carried out in Stage 3 involved concurrent chemical and ecotoxicological analyses. In this final stage, the degree of response in tests of amphipod survival in whole sediment samples, as well as in tests of microbial metabolism (Microtox©) and sea urchin egg fertilisation and embryo development in pore waters, generally increased with increasing chemical concentrations.
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