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Physico-chemical changes in metal-spiked sediments deployed in the field: Implications for the interpretation of in situ studies
Citation
Hill, Nicole and Johnston, EL and King, CK and Simpson, SL, Physico-chemical changes in metal-spiked sediments deployed in the field: Implications for the interpretation of in situ studies, Chemosphere: Chemistry, Biology and Toxicology As Related to Environmental Problems, 83, (4) pp. 400-408. ISSN 0045-6535 (2011) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd The definitive version is available at http://www.sciencedirect.com
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2010.12.089
Abstract
Manipulative field studies are useful for investigating cause–effect relationships between contamination
and benthic community health. However, there are many challenges for creating environmentally relevant
exposures and determining what measurements are necessary to correctly interpret the results. This
study describes the physical and chemical changes in the properties of metal-spiked marine sediments
deployed in four different locations for up to 11 months. The test sediments lost between 20% and 75%
of their volume during the deployment period, with the greatest losses occurring at sites affected by
strong hydrodynamic activity. More sediment was lost from clean treatments than those spiked with
high metal concentrations and corresponded with differential recruitment of infauna to these treatments.
In general, a greater proportion of spiked-metals remained at lower energy sites (48–85%) than at higher
energy sites (15–48%). The decreased metal concentrations were attributed mostly to the loss of the
metal-spiked sediments (through resuspension) and their dilution with sediments depositing from the
surrounding environment. A range of recommendations are made for optimising the information gained
from field-based studies using metal-spiked sediments. These include the careful documentation of physico-
chemical sediment properties pre- and post-deployment, the use of co-located sediment traps and
knowledge of site-specific hydrodynamic processes.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | In situ Manipulative studies Sediment Metals Fauna Hydrodynamics |
| Research Division: | Environmental Sciences |
| Research Group: | Environmental management |
| Research Field: | Environmental assessment and monitoring |
| Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
| Objective Group: | Terrestrial systems and management |
| Objective Field: | Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems |
| UTAS Author: | Hill, Nicole (Dr Nicole Hill) |
| ID Code: | 72127 |
| Year Published: | 2011 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 10 |
| Deposited By: | Sustainable Marine Research Collaboration |
| Deposited On: | 2011-08-22 |
| Last Modified: | 2012-03-09 |
| Downloads: | 1 View Download Statistics |
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