Carr R S, Biedenbach J M, Hooten R L
U.S. Geological Survey/Biological Resources Division, Marine Ecotoxicology Research Station, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Center for Coastal Studies, NRC Suite 3200, 6300 Ocean Dr., Corpus Christi, Texas 78412, USA.
Environ Toxicol. 2001;16(1):20-30.
A sediment quality assessment survey was conducted in Lavaca Bay, Texas, in proximity to a marine Superfund National Priority List (NPL) site. Previous studies at this site had focused primarily on the degree and extent of mercury contamination. The purpose of this survey was to determine the potential ecotoxicological impacts of contaminants, using sensitive sediment toxicity tests in conjunction with a comprehensive chemical analysis of the sediments. In addition, phase I toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) studies were conducted at several of the more toxic sites. Sea urchin (Arbacia punctulata) fertilization and embryological development tests with sediment pore water were employed to assess the toxicity of the sediments. Elevated levels of mercury were found in a number of samples as much as 10-20 times that of background. Six stations had total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration above the probable effect level (PEL) guideline value, and some stations had concentrations as much as 1000 times above background levels. Eighteen of the 24 stations exhibited toxicity in one of the toxicity tests, while 14 stations were toxic in both tests. A number of stations within the fish closure area exceeded 8-16 of the PEl guidelines. Both aeration and the C18 column treatments were effective in reducing toxicity from the pore water of the two stations included in the TIE. This information, in conjunction with the fact that two of the four stations with the highest mercury concentrations were not toxic, suggests that the toxicity observed in this study is primarily due to organics, probably PAHs, and not mercury. We recommend that these other contaminants of concern be considered in any remedial actions that are planned for this NPL site and that impacts on the ecosystem, as well as human health issues, also be considered.
在德克萨斯州拉瓦卡湾靠近一个海洋超级基金国家优先名录（NPL）场地的地方进行了一项沉积物质量评估调查。此前在该场地的研究主要集中在汞污染的程度和范围。本次调查的目的是通过使用敏感的沉积物毒性测试并结合沉积物的综合化学分析，来确定污染物的潜在生态毒理学影响。此外，还在几个毒性更强的场地进行了第一阶段毒性鉴定评估（TIE）研究。采用海胆（刺冠海胆）受精卵和胚胎发育试验对沉积物孔隙水进行毒性评估。在许多样本中发现汞含量升高，高达背景值的10至20倍。六个站点的总多环芳烃（PAH）浓度高于可能效应水平（PEL）指导值，一些站点的浓度比背景水平高出多达1000倍。24个站点中有18个在一项毒性测试中表现出毒性，而14个站点在两项测试中均有毒性。鱼类禁捕区内的一些站点超过了8至16项PEL指导标准。曝气和C18柱处理都有效地降低了TIE中所包含的两个站点孔隙水的毒性。这一信息，再加上汞浓度最高的四个站点中有两个没有毒性这一事实，表明本研究中观察到的毒性主要是由有机物造成的，可能是多环芳烃，而非汞。我们建议，在为这个NPL场地规划的任何补救行动中都应考虑这些其他相关污染物，同时也应考虑对生态系统的影响以及人类健康问题。
