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Elutriate–primary productivity bioassays of dredge spoil disposal in Lake Erie
Author(s) -
Flint R. Warren,
Lorefice George J.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr014i006p01159
Subject(s) - pelagic zone , bioassay , primary productivity , environmental science , sediment , water column , productivity , deposition (geology) , pelagic sediment , environmental engineering , environmental chemistry , oceanography , ecology , nutrient , geology , biology , chemistry , paleontology , macroeconomics , economics
The standard sediment elutriate procedure was combined with radioactive primary productivity methods to evaluate impacts of dredged material disposal on pelagic primary producers. Seven treatment levels suggested that dredged material disposal inhibited algal photosynthesis at higher concentrations. The procedure developed reflected the ‘bioavailability’ of dissolved constituents released during deposition. The results also implied that particle formation within the water column during disposal may promote microbial (heterotrophic) growth. The procedure described is especially valuable in evaluating pelagic effects of dredged material disposal because of its use of natural populations, minimal expense, and, most importantly, short experimental duration compared to that of standard laboratory bioassays.