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Assessing the Efficacy of a Sediment Remediation Program Using Benthic and Pelagic Copepod Bioassays
Author(s) -
Charry Maria P.,
Keesing Vaughan,
Gaw Sally,
Costello Mark J.,
Champeau Olivier,
Tremblay Louis A.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.4632
Subject(s) - tributyltin , benthic zone , bioassay , copepod , environmental remediation , sediment , environmental chemistry , environmental science , pelagic zone , biocide , biofouling , contamination , oceanography , chemistry , ecology , biology , geology , crustacean , biochemistry , organic chemistry , membrane , paleontology
Tributyltin is an organotin chemical that has been commonly used in ship antifouling paints. Despite the global total prohibition of tributyltin‐based paint in 2008, tributyltin continues to be found at toxic levels in areas of high maritime traffic such as ports and harbors. A remediation program was conducted at a New Zealand port to reduce tributyltin and copper concentrations to acceptable values. The present study assessed the efficacy of the program using a combination of chemical analyses and copepod bioassays. Sediment and water samples were collected at 3 locations along a spatial gradient within the port, and concentrations of various organotin compounds and trace metal levels were measured pre‐ and postremediation. The toxicity of sediment and elutriate samples was estimated by benthic and pelagic copepod bioassays. Although acute toxicity in sediment samples was reduced following remediation, reproductive success was still affected for the benthic copepod. This approach combining chemical analysis and bioassays is promising for assessing the efficacy of remediation processes at contaminated marine sites. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:492–499. © 2019 SETAC