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https://hdl.handle.net/11681/47053| Title: | Biological assessment of the soluble fraction of the standard elutriate test |
| Authors: | Shuba, Peter J. (Peter John), 1943- Carroll, Joe H. Wong, Karon L. |
| Keywords: | Biological assay Sedimentation and deposition Water quality Dredging spoil Dredged material |
| Publisher: | U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station |
| Series/Report no.: | Technical Report (Dredged Material Research Program (U.S.)) ; no. D-77-3 |
| Abstract: | This report presents some of the results obtained on the bioevaluation of the standard elutriate test (developed by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Corps of Engineers). Selected species of algae, bacteria, and protozoans were used as test organisms. Marine and freshwater species of each group were tested. Sediment samples were collected from four locations that are periodically dredged and water samples were collected from their corresponding disposal sites. Sediment locations were Bridgeport Harbor, Bridgeport, Connecticut; Astabula River, Astabula, Ohio; Galveston Harbor, Galveston, Texas; and Arlington Channel of Mobile Bay, Mobile, Alabama. The corresponding disposal sites were Eatons Neck, Long Island Sound, New York; Lake Erie, near Ashtabula, Ohio; Gulf of Mexico, near Galveston, Texas; and an open-water disposal site adjacent to Arlington Channel in Mobile Bay, Alabama. The results of algal bioassays indicated both stimulatory (Bridgeport and Galveston samples) and inhibitory effects (Arlington Channel samples) when growth in the elutriate was compared to growth in disposal site water. All sediments used to prepare standard elutriates released large quantities of ammonium-nitrogen. Growth studies were conducted using the marine alga Dunaliella tertiolecta exposed to the concentrates of anmmonia found in the elutriates. The concentrations used were not toxic to the test organisms. The results of bacterial and protozoal bioassays were difficult to interpret because in most cases growth media had to be added to obtain a measurerable response. The addition of media may have masked any potential effect of chemical constituents released from the sediment. The results are discussed in relation to water quality. Algal bioassays are one method of assisting the evaluation of the suitability of a particular dredged material for disposal. Bacteria and protozoans are important in the cycling of nutrients and toxicants, but are not recommended as test organisms for water column effects. Additional research is suggested, particularly the development of bioassays using benthic organisms. |
| Description: | Technical Report |
| Gov't Doc #: | Technical Report D-77-3 |
| Rights: | Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited |
| URI: | https://hdl.handle.net/11681/47053 |
| Appears in Collections: | Technical Report |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Report D-77-3.pdf | 5.83 MB | Adobe PDF |  View/Open |