Abstract
Juvenile marine polychaetes, Neanthes arenaceodentata, were exposed for 28 days to copper (Cu)-spiked sediment at six concentrations ranging from 48.3 to 2380 mg Cu/kg dry sediment, plus control. Survival was reduced (p ≤ 0.05) at concentrations ≥1190 mg Cu/kg. Growth was inhibited at Cu concentrations ≥506 mg Cu/kg. Dose–response relationships yielded LC10 and LC50 estimates of 514 and 1230 mg Cu/kg, respectively. The growth effect EC50 estimate was 409 mg Cu/kg. Ranges for the no observable effect concentration and lowest observable effect concentration were 506–1190 mg Cu/kg for survival, and 230–506 mg Cu/kg for growth. Pore water concentrations of Cu were 38.7–65.8 µg Cu/L in exposures where toxic effects were observed, compared to a range of 15.1–22.4 µg Cu/L in exposures where significant effects were not evident. The results of the study were compared with empirical and mechanistic sediment quality guidelines for the protection of benthic organisms.
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank the Copper Development Association for funding this study under contract no. 65417 to ABC Laboratories. Melissa Taylor and Xiaoyan Qin of ABC Laboratories, and Scott Smith of Wilfrid Laurier University are gratefully acknowledged for their technical assistance.
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Ward, T.J., Gaertner, K.E., Gorsuch, J.W. et al. Survival and Growth of the Marine Polychaete, Neanthes arenaceodentata, Following Laboratory Exposure to Copper-Spiked Sediment. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 95, 428–433 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-015-1582-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-015-1582-9