Am. Boucher et Mc. Watzin, Toxicity identification evaluation of metal-contaminated sediments using an artificial pore water containing dissolved organic carbons, ENV TOX CH, 18(3), 1999, pp. 509-518
Recent investigations of sediment-associated pollutants in Lake Champlain i
ndicated significant contamination with As, Mn, and Ni in Outer Malletts Ba
y, Vermont, USA. Ceriodaphnia dubia exposed to sediment pore water from sev
eral sites in Outer Malletts Bay showed repeatable, acute mortality at only
one site. A toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) was conducted on pore
water to determine the contaminants causing mortality at this site. Unlike
most TIE applications, the dilution water used in these tests was formulat
ed to match the hardness, alkalinity, pH, conductivity, and dissolved organ
ic carbon content of the pore water. Results from phase I of the TIE indica
ted that divalent metals may be responsible for toxicity. Phase II results
revealed levels of Mn above LC50 values. Spiking experiments employed in ph
ase III confirmed Mn as the principal toxicant in sediment pore water. The
formulated pore water worked well and helped ensure that toxicant behavior
was influenced primarily by each TIE manipulation and not by physical and c
hemical differences between the dilution and site water. Although the Mn to
xicity at this site may be the result of its unique geomorphology, this sit
uation underscores the need to look broadly for potential toxicants when ev
aluating contaminated sites.