A multitrophic level evaluation of sediment toxicity in waukegan and indiana harbors

Abstract

Abstract The toxicity of sediments from three Waukegan Harbor sites, two Indiana Harbor sites and one reference site (Homer Lake) were evaluated using a multitrophic level test battery. The test battery consisted of the following assays: Daphnia magna 48-h survival, Ceriodaphnia dubia 48-h survival, Hyalella azteca 48-h survival, Selenastrum capricornutum 48-h growth inhibition and enzymatic activity of the indigenous microbial community (alkaline phosphatase, electron transport system activity, ß-galactosidase and ß-glucosidase). All assays, with the exception of S. capricornutum, were conducted using both whole sediments and elutriate (water-extractable) fractions. The test battery effectively discriminated between sites in most cases. However, response patterns varied slightly between macrofaunal and microbial responses and between whole sediment and elutriate phase responses. C. dubia was the most sensitive and H. azteca the least sensitive macrofaunal test species. Microbial community assays showed a greater range of responses, thus providing for greater discrimination between test sites. ß-galactosidase and ß-glucosidase were the most sensitive microbial assays. The acute toxicity response patterns verified sites containing the highest levels of contaminants at Waukegan Harbor and detected contamination in Indiana Harbor. Differences between degree and/or pattern of response and whole sediment versus elutriate toxicity patterns demonstrated both the usefulness and necessity of a multitrophic level toxicity test battery in sediment quality assessments.