ASTM E1525-02(2008)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Designing Biological Tests with Sediments
Standard Guide for Designing Biological Tests with Sediments
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Contaminated sediments may affect natural populations of aquatic organisms adversely. Sediment-dwelling organisms may be exposed directly to contaminants by the ingestion of sediments and by the uptake of sediment-associated contaminants from interstitial and overlying water. Contaminated sediments may affect water column species directly by serving as a source of contaminants to overlying waters or a sink for contaminants from overlying waters. Organisms may also be affected when contaminated sediments are suspended in the water column by natural or human activities. Water column species and nonaquatic species may also be affected indirectly by contaminated sediments by the transfer of contaminants through ecosystems (7, 8).
The procedures described in this guide may be used and adapted for incorporation in basic and applied research to determine the ecological effects of contaminated sediments. These same methods may also be used in the development and implementation of monitoring and regulatory programs designed to prevent and manage sediment contamination.
Sediment tests with aquatic organisms can be used to quantify the acute and chronic toxicity and the bioavailability of new and presently used materials. Sediment toxicity may also result from environmental processes such as ammonia generation, pH shifts, or dissolved oxygen fluctuation. In many cases, consideration of the adverse effects of sediment-associated contaminants is only one part of a complete hazard assessment of manufactured compounds that are applied directly to the environment (for example, pesticides) and those released (for example, through wastewater effluents) as by-products from the manufacturing process or from municipalities (7).
Sediment tests can be used to develop exposure-response relationships for individual toxicants by spiking clean sediments with varying concentrations of a test chemical and determining the concentration that elicits the target response in the test organism ...
SCOPE
1.1 As the contamination of freshwater and saltwater ecosystems continues to be reduced through the implementation of regulations governing both point and non-point source discharges, there is a growing emphasis and concern regarding historical inputs and their influence on water and sediment quality. Many locations in urban areas exhibit significant sediment contamination, which poses a continual and long-term threat to the functional condition of benthic communities and other species inhabiting these areas (1). Benthic communities are an important component of many ecosystems and alterations of these communities may affect water-column and nonaquatic species.
1.2 Biological tests with sediments are an efficient means for evaluating sediment contamination because they provide information complementary to chemical characterizations and ecological surveys (2). Acute sediment toxicity tests can be used as screening tools in the early phase of an assessment hierarchy that ultimately could include chemical measurements or bioaccumulation and chronic toxicity tests. Sediment tests have been applied in both saltwater and freshwater environments (2-6). Sediment tests have been used for dredge material permitting, site ranking for remediation, recovery studies following management actions, and trend monitoring. A particularly important application is for establishing contaminant-specific effects and the processes controlling contaminant bioavailability (7).
1.3 This guide is arranged as follows:
Section Referenced Documents 2 Terminology 3 Application 4 Summary of Guide 5 Significance and Use 6 Hazards 7 Sediment Test Types 8 Biological Responses 9 Test Organisms10 Experimental Design Considerations11 Data Interpretation12 Keywords13
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the s...
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E1525 − 02(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Guide for
Designing Biological Tests with Sediments
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1525; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
Test Organisms 10
Experimental Design Considerations 11
1.1 As the contamination of freshwater and saltwater eco-
Data Interpretation 12
systemscontinuestobereducedthroughtheimplementationof Keywords 13
regulations governing both point and non-point source
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
discharges, there is a growing emphasis and concern regarding
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
historical inputs and their influence on water and sediment
only.
quality. Many locations in urban areas exhibit significant
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
sediment contamination, which poses a continual and long-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
term threat to the functional condition of benthic communities
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and other species inhabiting these areas (1). Benthic commu-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
nities are an important component of many ecosystems and
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
alterations of these communities may affect water-column and
statements, see Section 7.
nonaquatic species.
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 Biological tests with sediments are an efficient means
for evaluating sediment contamination because they provide
2.1 ASTM Standards:
information complementary to chemical characterizations and
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
ecological surveys (2). Acute sediment toxicity tests can be
D4447 Guide for Disposal of Laboratory Chemicals and
used as screening tools in the early phase of an assessment
Samples
hierarchythatultimatelycouldincludechemicalmeasurements
E724 Guide for Conducting Static Acute Toxicity Tests
or bioaccumulation and chronic toxicity tests. Sediment tests
Starting with Embryos of Four Species of Saltwater
have been applied in both saltwater and freshwater environ-
Bivalve Molluscs
ments (2-6). Sediment tests have been used for dredge material
E729 Guide for Conducting Acute Toxicity Tests on Test
permitting, site ranking for remediation, recovery studies
Materials with Fishes, Macroinvertebrates, and Amphib-
following management actions, and trend monitoring. A par-
ians
ticularly important application is for establishing contaminant-
E943 Terminology Relating to Biological Effects and Envi-
specific effects and the processes controlling contaminant
ronmental Fate
bioavailability(7).
E1023 Guide for Assessing the Hazard of a Material to
Aquatic Organisms and Their Uses
1.3 This guide is arranged as follows:
E1367 Test Method for Measuring theToxicity of Sediment-
Section
Associated Contaminants with Estuarine and Marine In-
Referenced Documents 2
Terminology 3
vertebrates
Application 4
E1383 Guide for Conducting Sediment Toxicity Tests with
Summary of Guide 5
Freshwater Invertebrates (Withdrawn 1995)
Significance and Use 6
Hazards 7
E1391 Guide for Collection, Storage, Characterization, and
Sediment Test Types 8
Manipulation of Sediments for Toxicological Testing and
Biological Responses 9
for Selection of Samplers Used to Collect Benthic Inver-
tebrates
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE50onEnvironmental
Assessment, Risk Management and CorrectiveAction and is the direct responsibil-
ity of Subcommittee E50.47 on Biological Effects and Environmental Fate. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2008. Published February 2008. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as E1525 – 02. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E1525-02R08. the ASTM website.
2 4
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
this standard. www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1525 − 02 (2008)
E1563 Guide for Conducting Static Acute Toxicity Tests 3.2.6 overlying water—the water placed over the solid
with Echinoid Embryos phase of a sediment in the test chamber for the conduct of the
E1611 Guide for Conducting Sediment Toxicity Tests with biological test; this may also include the water used to
Polychaetous Annelids manipulate the sediments. In field situations, the water column
E1676 Guide for Conducting Laboratory Soil Toxicity or above the sediment/water interface.
Bioaccumulation Tests with the Lumbricid Earthworm
3.2.7 pore water/interstitial water—water occupying space
Eisenia Fetida and the Enchytraeid Potworm Enchytraeus
between sediment or soil particles.
albidus
3.2.8 reference sediment—awholesedimentneartheareaof
E1688 Guide for Determination of the Bioaccumulation of
concern used to assess sediment conditions exclusive of
Sediment-Associated Contaminants by Benthic Inverte-
material(s) of interest.
brates
E1706 Test Method for Measuring theToxicity of Sediment-
3.2.9 sediment—(1) particulate material that usually lies
Associated Contaminants with Freshwater Invertebrates
below water and (2) formulated paticulate matter that is
IEEE/ASTM SI-10 Standard for Use of the International
intended to lie below water in a test.
System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
3.2.10 spiked sediment—a sediment to which a material has
2.2 Other Standards:
been added for experimental purposes.
Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.132 (f)
3.2.11 suspension—a slurry of sediment and water.
3.2.12 toxicity—thepropertyofamaterialorcombinationof
3. Terminology
materials to affect organisms adversely.
3.1 Definitions:
3.2.13 whole sediment—sediment and associated pore water
3.1.1 The words “must,” “should,” “may,” “can,” and
that has had minimal manipulation following collection or
“might” have very specific meanings in this guide. “Must” is
formulation.
usedtoexpressanabsoluterequirement,thatis,tostatethatthe
test ought to be designed to satisfy a specific condition, unless
4. Application
the purpose of the test requires a different design. “Must” is
used only in connection with the factors that apply directly to
4.1 An ASTM guide outlines a series of options or instruc-
the acceptability of the test. “Should” is used to state that the
tions and does not recommend a specific course of action. The
specified conditions are recommended and ought to be met in
purpose of a guide is to offer guidance, based on a consensus
most tests. Although a violation of one “should” is rarely a
of viewpoints, but not to establish a fixed procedure.Aguide is
serious matter, violation of several will often render the results
intended to increase the awareness of the user to available
questionable.Termssuchas“isdesirable,”“isoftendesirable,”
techniques in a given subject area and to provide information
and “might be desirable” are used in connection with less
from which subsequent evaluation and standardization can be
important factors. “May” is used to mean “is (are) allowed to,”
derived.
“can” is used to mean“ is (are) able to,” and “might” is used to
4.2 This guide provides general interpretative guidance on
mean “could possibly.” Thus, the classic distinction between
the selection, application, and interpretation of biological tests
“may” and“ can” is preserved, and “might” is never used as a
with sediments.As such, this guide serves as a preface to other
synonym of either “may” or “can.”
ASTM documents describing methods for sediment collection,
3.1.2 For definitions of terms used in this guide, refer to
storage, and manipulation (Guide E1391); and toxicity or
Guide E729, Terminologies D1129 and E943, and Guide
bioaccumulation tests with sediment ( Guides E724, E1367,
E1023. For an explanation of the units and symbols, refer to
E1391, E1611, E1563, E1688, andTest Method E1706). Much
IEEE/ASTM SI-10.
of the guidance presented in this standard is also applicable to
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
toxicity testing of soils (Guide E1676).This guide serves as an
3.2.1 bioaccumulation—the net uptake of a material by an
introduction and summary of sediment testing and is not meant
organism from its environment through exposure by means of
to provide specific guidance on test methods. Rather, its intent
water and food.
is to provide information necessary to accomplish the follow-
3.2.2 concentration—the ratio of the weight or volume of
ing:
test material(s) to the weight or volume of test sample.
4.2.1 Select a sediment exposure strategy appropriate to the
3.2.3 control sediment—asedimentthatisessentiallyfreeof
assessment need. For example, a suspended phase exposure is
contaminants and is used routinely to assess the acceptability
relevant to the evaluation of dredged sediments for disposal at
of a test.
a dispersive aquatic site. (See Annex A1).
3.2.4 elutriate—the water and soluble portion extracted
4.2.2 Select the test organism and biological endpoints
from the sediment.
appropriate to the desired exposure and aquatic resources at
3.2.5 exposure—contact with a chemical or physical agent. risk. For example, the potential for water quality problems and
subsequent effects on oyster beds may dictate the use of
sedimentelutriateexposureswithbivalvelarvae(GuideE724).
4.2.3 Establish an experimental design consistent with the
Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington DC 20402. objectives of the sediment evaluation. The use of appropriate
E1525 − 02 (2008)
controls is particularly important for evaluating sediment the test organism (Guide E1391). Sediment tests can also be
contamination (see Section 11). designed to determine the effects that the physical and chemi-
4.2.4 Determine which statistical procedures should be cal properties of sediments have on the bioavailability and
applied to analysis of the data, and define the limits of toxicity of compounds.
applicability of the resultant analyses in data interpretation
6.5 Sediment tests can provide valuable information for
(Test Method E1706).
making decisions regarding the management of contaminated
sediments from hazardous waste sites and other contaminated
5. Summary of Guide
areas. Biological tests with sediments can also be used to make
5.1 This guide provides general guidance and objectives for
defensible management decisions on the dredging and disposal
conducting biological tests with sediments. Detailed technical
of potentially contaminated sediments from rivers and harbors.
information on the conduct and evaluation of specific sediment
((7, 8), Test Method E1706.)
tests is included in other documents referenced in this guide.
5.2 Neither this guide nor any specific test methodology can
7. Hazards
adequately address the multitude of technical factors that must
7.1 General Precautions:
be considered when designing and conducting a specific
7.1.1 Development and maintenance of an effective health
investigation. The intended use of this document is therefore
and safety program in the laboratory requires an ongoing
not to provide detailed guidance, but rather to assist the
commitment by laboratory management and includes: (1) the
investigator in developing technically sound and environmen-
appointment of a laboratory health and safety officer with the
tally relevant biological tests that adequately address the
responsibility and authority to develop and maintain a safety
questions being posed by a specific investigation.
program, (2) the preparation of a formal, written health and
6. Significance and Use safety plan, which is provided to each laboratory staff member,
(3) an ongoing training program on laboratory safety, and (4)
6.1 Contaminated sediments may affect natural populations
regular safety inspections.
of aquatic organisms adversely. Sediment-dwelling organisms
7.1.2 Collection and use of sediments may involve substan-
may be exposed directly to contaminants by the ingestion of
tial risk to personal safety and health. Chemicals in field-
sediments and by the uptake of sediment-associated contami-
collected sediment may include carcinogenics, mutagens, and
nants from interstitial and overlying water. Contaminated
other potentially toxic compounds. Inasmuch as sediment
sediments may affect water column species directly by serving
testing is often started before chemical analysis can be
as a source of contaminants to overlying waters or a sink for
completed, worker contact with sediment needs to be mini-
contaminants from overlying waters. Organisms may also be
mizedby(1)usinggloves,laboratorycoats,safetyglasses,face
affected when contaminated sediments are suspended in the
shields and respirators as appropriate, (2) manipulating sedi-
water column by natural or human activities. Water column
mentsunderaventilatedhoodorinanenclosedglovebox,and
species and nonaquatic species may also be affected indirectly
(3) enclosing and ventilating the exposure system. Personal
by contaminated sediments by the transfer of contaminants
collecting sediment samples and conducting tests should take
through ecosystems (7, 8).
all safety precautions necessary for the prevention of bodily
6.2 The procedures described in this guide may be used and
injuryandillnesswhichmightresultfromingestionorinvasion
adapted for incorporation in basic and applied research to
of infectious agents, inhaltion or absorption of corrosive or
determine the ecological effects of contaminated sediments.
toxic substances through skin contact, and asphixiation be-
These same methods may also be used in the development and
cause of lack of oxygen or precense of noxious gases.
implementation of monitoring and regulatory programs de-
7.1.3 Before beginning sample collection and laboratory
signed to prevent and manage sediment contamination.
work, personnel should determine that all the required safety
6.3 Sediment tests with aquatic organisms can be used to
equipment and materials have been obtained and are in good
quantify the acute and chronic toxicity and the bioavailability
condition.
of new and presently used mater
...
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