Sediments standard biological tests

Test method standardization (TMS) calls for several actions that involve 1) preparation of a formal draft test method document for each bioassay intended for standardization, 2) a critical review by an expert subcommittee, 3) the preparation of a final draft test method, 4) an international peer review of each test method, 5) an inter-calibration exercise of the final draft test method, 6) finalization of each test method and 7) the formal publication of the toxicity test method document. Environment Canada (EC) has been particularly active in biological test method standardization and has thus far contributed 18 standardized aquatic and sediment... 

ASTM. 1994b. Standard guide for designing biological tests with sediments. ASTM 1996 Annual Book of Standards Vol. 11.05, E1525-94a. American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken, PA, pp. 942-959. 

Chemical, sediment, and biological clogging (discussed in Section 5.2 of chapter Geotextile/ Geosynthetic testing standards development organizations)... 

ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials). (1988). Standard guide for conducting 10-day static sediment toxicity tests with marine and estuarine amphipods. In Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Pesticides, Resource Recovery, Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Responses, Waste Disposal, Biological Effects, 11.04, ASTM E 1367. Ed. by ASTM, Philadelphia, USA, pp. 732-757. 

During exposure to contaminated sediments, test organisms can concentrate chemicals in their tissue and exhibit measurable (sub)lethal effects linked to accumulated substances. In the field of sediment toxicity assessment, it is noteworthy to mention that some studies have been conducted to characterize both exposure and biological effects in parallel. Exposure to contaminants can be gauged by measuring their concentrations in water/sediment and tissue, and effects can be estimated with endpoints such as survival and growth. These studies are important, for example, to detect threshold concentrations at which chemicals begin to exert adverse effects. As such, they can be useful to recommend effective chemical quality standards that will be protective of aquatic life. 

Appraising the toxic potential of biologically available contaminants in sediment should include three compartments the whole sediment (with standardized direct contact assays when these are available), the porewater, and the elutriate (aqueous extract). Additional hazard information can also be obtained from toxicity testing conducted on organic extracts using methanol or acetone. 

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