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Effect of sediment toxicity on anaerobic microbial metabolism
Author(s) -
Togna Monica T.,
Kazumi Junko,
Apitz Sabine,
Kirtay Victoria,
Young Lily Y.
Publication year - 2001
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.5620201102
Subject(s) - anaerobic exercise , toxicity , environmental chemistry , sediment , metabolism , microbial metabolism , chemistry , ecology , biology , environmental science , bacteria , physiology , biochemistry , paleontology , organic chemistry , genetics
Mineralization of a readily biodegradable aromatic compound (benzoate) by intrinsic microorganisms in the anoxic sediment was used to quantify the inhibitory effect of heavily contaminated sediment from the Arthur Kill estuary (NY/NJ Harbor system, USA) on the anaerobic metabolism by naturally present bacterial populations. In anoxic microcosms, the effect of varying ratios of contaminated sediment: site water and contaminated sediment: noncontaminated sediment (Flax Pond, Stony Brook, NY, USA) were investigated. In all cases, increasing the ratio of Arthur Kill sediment in the microcosms showed an inhibitory effect on the rate of 14 C‐benzoate mineralization as measured by the evolution of 14 CO 2 . This inhibitory effect could be alleviated through dilution of the sediment with noncontaminated sediment, resulting in some cases in mineralization rates that were greater by an order of magnitude. The toxicity of the sediment was confirmed by whole‐sediment Microtox® bioassay. Analysis of the sediment revealed high (>200 mg/kg) levels of Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cr, suggesting that heavy metals may contribute to overall sediment toxicity.