Sediment chemical contamination and toxicity associated with a coastal golf course complex

The increasing density of golf courses represents a potential source of sed iment contamination to nearby coastal areas, the chemical and biological ma gnitude of which is almost unknown. The objective of this study was to dete rmine the concentrations of contaminants and toxicities of sediments impact ed by a coastal golf course complex. Sediment contaminant concentrations we re determined at least twice during the two-year study period at 14 samplin g stations. In addition, a combination of acute and chronic bioassays were conducted exposing four invertebrate test species to whole sediments and as sociated pore waters. Overall, the Florida, USA, golf course complex had a measurable impact on sediment chemical quality, particularly in near-field areas. Higher concentrations of several trace metals and organochlorine pes ticides were detected in many golf course-associated sediments compared wit h reference areas; however, concentrations decreased seaward and only a few , primarily chlorinated pesticides, exceeded proposed sediment quality guid elines. Chromium, zinc, and mercury were detected more frequently than othe r trace metals. The DDT and associated metabolites, dieldrin and chlordane, were the more commonly detected organic contaminants. Acute toxicity was u ncommon and occurred consistently for sediment collected from one coastal l ocation. In contrast, chronic toxicity occurred at several study sites base d on the response of Mysidopris bahia. It was concluded that the impact of golf course runoff on sediment quality may be subtle and sensitive biologic al assessment methods, such as chronic toxicity tests, will be needed to de tect adverse effects.