Development and application of a marine sediment pore-water toxicity test using Ulva fasciata zoospores

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
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Abstract

An acute (96 h) pore-water toxicity test protocol using germination and growth of Ulva fasciatazoospores as endpoints was developed to test the toxicity of marine and estuarine sediment pore-water samples. Tests with an organic toxicant (sodium dodecyl sulfate; SDS), three metals (Cd, Cu, and Zn), and ammonia (NH3) were conducted to determine zoospore sensitivity. Zoospore germination and gametophyte growth were as sensitive to SDS as sea urchin (Arbacia punctulata) fertilization and embryological development. Zoospore sensitivity to metals was greater than or comparable to that of adult macroalgae. Zoospores were less sensitive to NH3than were other commonly used toxicity test organisms. Test results using this algal assay with sediment pore-water samples with high NH3 concentrations were compared with results from sea urchin fertilization and embryological development tests for the same samples. Ulva fasciatazoospore germination was not affected by samples with high NH3 concentrations that were toxic in both sea urchin tests. Zoospore tolerance of NH3 and sensitivity to other contaminants indicate that their response may be useful in toxicity identification evaluation studies with pore-water samples that contain high concentrations of unionized NH3.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Development and application of a marine sediment pore-water toxicity test using Ulva fasciata zoospores
Series title Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
DOI 10.1002/etc.5620170524
Volume 17
Issue 5
Year Published 1998
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Columbia Environmental Research Center
Description 9 p.
First page 932
Last page 940
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