Toxicological evaluation of constructed wetland habitat sediments utilizing Hyalella azteca 10-day sediment toxicity test and bacterial bioluminescence

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 1998-06, Vol.36 (15), p.3167-3180
• Main Authors: STEEVENS, J. A, VANSAL, S. S, KALLIES, K. W, KNIGHT, S. S, COOPER, C. M, BENSON, W. H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture - methods; Analytical chemistry; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Bacteria; Biological and medical sciences; Chemistry; Crustacea; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Exact sciences and technology; Fresh Water - analysis; Fresh water environment; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General, instrumentation; Geologic Sediments; Hyalella azteca; Rain; Toxicity Tests
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/S0045-6535(98)00008-3

A toxicological evaluation was conducted on wetland habitats created as a result of run-off from agricultural areas. These temporary wetlands were created by using drop pipes as a means of reducing erosional cutting in agricultural fields. Toxicity bioassays utilizing bacterial bioluminescence and Hyalella azteca were used to assess sediment pore water and whole sediment, respectively. Inhibition of bacterial bioluminescence was initially used to determine relative toxicities of pore water from ten wetland sites. Constructed wetland sites were compared to the University of Mississippi Biological Field Station, a relatively pristine reference site. The H. azteca ten day sediment toxicity test was utilized to assess sediment from four selected sites using survival and growth as toxicological endpoints. Results from the toxicological evaluation, along with extensive ecological evaluations, were used to assess the best approach for implementation of temporary wetland habitats with existing agricultural practices.