ASTM E1706-05(2010)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Measuring the Toxicity of Sediment-Associated Contaminants with Freshwater Invertebrates (Withdrawn 2019)
Standard Test Method for Measuring the Toxicity of Sediment-Associated Contaminants with Freshwater Invertebrates (Withdrawn 2019)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
General:
Sediment provides habitat for many aquatic organisms and is a major repository for many of the more persistent chemicals that are introduced into surface waters. In the aquatic environment, most anthropogenic chemicals and waste materials including toxic organic and inorganic chemicals eventually accumulate in sediment. Mounting evidences exists of environmental degradation in areas where USEPA Water Quality Criteria (WQC; (65)) are not exceeded, yet organisms in or near sediments are adversely affected (66). The WQC were developed to protect organisms in the water column and were not directed toward protecting organisms in sediment. Concentrations of contaminants in sediment may be several orders of magnitude higher than in the overlying water; however, bulk sediment concentrations have not been strongly correlated to bioavailability (67). Partitioning or sorption of a compound between water and sediment may depend on many factors including: aqueous solubility, pH, redox, affinity for sediment organic carbon and dissolved organic carbon, grain size of the sediment, sediment mineral constituents (oxides of iron, manganese, and aluminum), and the quantity of acid volatile sulfides in sediment (40, 41). Although certain chemicals are highly sorbed to sediment, these compounds may still be available to the biota. Chemicals in sediments may be directly toxic to aquatic life or can be a source of chemicals for bioaccumulation in the food chain.
The objective of a sediment test is to determine whether chemicals in sediment are harmful to or are bioaccumulated by benthic organisms. The tests can be used to measure interactive toxic effects of complex chemical mixtures in sediment. Furthermore, knowledge of specific pathways of interactions among sediments and test organisms is not necessary to conduct the tests (68). Sediment tests can be used to: (1) determine the relationship between toxic effects and bioavailability, (2) investigate interactions among c...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers procedures for testing freshwater organisms in the laboratory to evaluate the toxicity of contaminants associated with whole sediments. Sediments may be collected from the field or spiked with compounds in the laboratory.
1.1.1 Test methods are described for two toxicity test organisms, the amphipod Hyalella azteca ( H. azteca) (see 13.1.2) and the midge Chironomus dilutus (formerly known as C. tentans; Shobanov et al. 1999.(1) (see 14.1.2). The toxicity tests are conducted for 10 days in 300-mL chambers containing 100 mL of sediment and 175 mL of overlying water. Overlying water is renewed daily and test organisms are fed during the toxicity tests. Endpoints for the 10-day toxicity tests are survival and growth. These test methods describe procedures for testing freshwater sediments; however, estuarine sediments (up to 15 ppt salinity) can also be tested with H. azteca. In addition to the 10-day toxicity test method outlined in 13.1.2 and 14.1.2, general procedures are also described for conducting 10-day sediment toxicity tests with H. azteca (see 13.1.2) and C. dilutus (see 14.1.2).
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This test method covers procedures for testing freshwater organisms in the laboratory to evaluate the toxicity of contaminants associated with whole sediments. Sediments may be collected from the field or spiked with compounds in the laboratory.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee E50 on Environmental Assessment, Risk Management and Corrective Action, this test method was withdrawn in January 2019 in accordance with section 10.6.3 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the end of the eighth year since the last approval date.
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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: E1706 − 05 (Reapproved 2010)
Standard Test Method for
Measuring the Toxicity of Sediment-Associated
Contaminants with Freshwater Invertebrates
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1706; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* tion. Guidance is also provided in Annex A7 for conducting
long-term sediment toxicity tests with C. dilutus by measuring
1.1 This test method covers procedures for testing freshwa-
effects on survival, growth, emergence, and reproduction. 1.6
ter organisms in the laboratory to evaluate the toxicity of
outlines the data that will be needed before test methods are
contaminantsassociatedwithwholesediments.Sedimentsmay
developed from the guidance outlined in Annex A1 to Annex
be collected from the field or spiked with compounds in the
A7 for these test organisms. General procedures described in
laboratory.
Sections1–14 for sediment testing with H. azteca and C.
1.1.1 Test methods are described for two toxicity test
dilutus are also applicable for sediment testing with the test
organisms, the amphipod Hyalella azteca (H. azteca) (see
organisms described in Annex A1 to Annex A7.
13.1.2) and the midge Chironomus dilutus (formerly known as
C. tentans; Shobanov et al. 1999.(1) (see 14.1.2). The toxicity 1.2 Procedures outlined in this test method are based pri-
testsareconductedfor10daysin300-mLchamberscontaining marily on procedures described in the United States Environ-
100mLofsedimentand175mLofoverlyingwater.Overlying mental Protection Agency (USEPA) (2-9) , Test Method
water is renewed daily and test organisms are fed during the E1367, and Guides E1391, E1525 and E1688.
toxicity tests. Endpoints for the 10-day toxicity tests are
1.3 Additional research and methods development are now
survival and growth. These test methods describe procedures
in progress to: (1) evaluate additional test organisms, (2)
for testing freshwater sediments; however, estuarine sediments
further evaluate the use of formulated sediment, (3) refine
(up to 15 ppt salinity) can also be tested with H. azteca. In
sediment dilution procedures, (4) refine sediment toxicity
addition to the 10-day toxicity test method outlined in 13.1.2
identification evaluation (TIE) procedures (10), (5) refine
and 14.1.2, general procedures are also described for conduct-
sediment spiking procedures, (6) develop in situ toxicity tests
ing 10-day sediment toxicity tests with H. azteca (see 13.1.2)
to assess sediment toxicity and bioaccumulation under field
and C. dilutus (see 14.1.2).
conditions, (7) evaluate relative sensitivities of endpoints
measured in tests, (8) develop methods for new species, (9)
NOTE 1—Morphological comparison of populations of Chironomus
(Camptochironomus) tentans(Fabricius) from Europe, Asia, and North
evaluate relationships between toxicity and bioaccumulation,
America have confirmed cytogenetic evidence that two distinct species
and (10) produce additional data on confirmation of responses
inhabitthePalearcticandNearcticunderthisname.ThePalearcticspecies
in laboratory tests with natural populations of benthic organ-
isthetrue C. tentansandtheNearcticpopulationsconstituteanewspecies
isms. Some issues that may be considered in interpretation of
describedunderthename Chironomus (Camptochironomus) dilutus(Sho-
test results are the subject of continuing research including the
banov et al. 1999 (1).”
influenceoffeedingonbioavailability,nutritionalrequirements
1.1.2 Guidance for conducting sediment toxicity tests is
of the test organisms, and additional performance criteria for
outlined in Annex A1 for Chironomus riparius, in Annex A2
organism health. See Section 6 for additional detail. This
for Daphnia magna and Ceriodaphnia dubia, in AnnexA3 for
information will be described in future editions of this stan-
Hexageniaspp.,inAnnexA4for Tubifex tubifex,andinAnnex
dard.
A5 for the Diporeia spp. Guidance is also provided in Annex
A6 for conducting long-term sediment toxicity tests with H. 1.4 The USEPA (2) and Guide E1688 also describes 28-day
aztecabymeasuringeffectsonsurvival,growth,andreproduc-
bioaccumulation methods for the oligochaete Lumbriculus
variegatus.
1.5 Results of tests, even those with the same species, using
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E50 on
procedures different from those described in the test method
Environmental Assessment, Risk Management and Corrective Action and are the
may not be comparable and using these different procedures
direct responsibility of Subcommittee E50.47 on Biological Effects and Environ-
mental Fate.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2010. Published January 2011. Originally
ε1 2
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as E1706–05 . DOI: Theboldfacenumbersinparenthesesrefertothelistofreferencesattheendof
10.1520/E1706-05R10. this standard.
*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
E1706 − 05 (2010)
may alter bioavailability. Comparison of results obtained using the current version of this standard (see Sections 13 and 14).
modified versions of these procedures might provide useful Procedures for conducting sediment tests with organisms in
information concerning new concepts and procedures for
accordance with AnnexA1 to AnnexA7 do not currently meet
conducting sediment tests with aquatic organisms. If tests are
all the required selection criteria listed in Table 1. A similar
conducted with procedures different from those described in
data base must be developed before these or other test
this test method, additional tests are required to determine
organisms can be included as standard test methods instead of
comparability of results. General procedures described in this
as guidance in future versions of these this method.
test method might be useful for conducting tests with other
1.6.3 An important consideration in the selection of specific
aquatic organisms; however, modifications may be necessary.
species for test method development is the existence of
1.6 Selection of Toxicity Testing Organisms: information concerning relative sensitivity of the organisms
1.6.1 Thechoiceofatestorganismhasamajorinfluenceon
both to single chemicals and complex mixtures. A number of
the relevance, success, and interpretation of a test.
studies have evaluated the sensitivity of H. azteca, C. dilutus,
Furthermore, no one organism is best suited for all sediments.
and L. variegatus, relative to one another, as well as other
The following criteria were considered when selecting test
commonlytestedfreshwaterspecies.Forexample,Ankleyetal
organisms to be described in this standard (Table 1 and Guide
(11) found H. azteca to be as, or slightly more, sensitive than
E1525). A test organism should: (1) have a toxicological data
Ceriodaphnia dubia to a variety of sediment elutriate and
base demonstrating relative sensitivity and discrimination to a
pore-water samples. In that study, L. variegatus were less
range of chemicals of concern in sediment, (2) have a database
sensitive to the samples than either the amphipod or the
for interlaboratory comparisons of procedures (for example,
cladoceran. West et al (12) found the rank sensitivity of the
round-robin studies), (3) be in contact with sediment [e.g.,
three species to the lethal effects of copper in sediments from
water column vs benthic organisms], (4) be readily available
the Keweenaw Waterway, MI was (from greatest to least): H.
through culture or from field collection, (5) be easily main-
azteca > C. dilutus > L. variegatus. In short-term (48 to 96 h)
tained in the laboratory, (6) be easily identified, (7) be
exposures, L. variegatus generally was less sensitive than H.
ecologically or economically important, (8) have a broad
azteca, C. dubia, or Pimephales promelas to cadmium, nickel,
geographical distribution, be indigenous (either present or
zinc, copper, and lead (13). Of the latter three species, no one
historical)tothesitebeingevaluated,orhaveanichesimilarto
species was consistently the most sensitive to the five metals.
organisms of concern, (for example, similar feeding guild or
1.6.3.1 InastudyofcontaminatedGreatLakessediment, H.
behavior to the indigenous organisms), (9) be tolerant of a
azteca, C. dilutus, and C. riparius were among the most
broad range of sediment physico-chemical characteristics (for
sensitive and discriminatory of 24 organisms tested (14-17).
example, grain size), and (10) be compatible with selected
Kemble et al (18) found the rank sensitivity of four species to
exposure methods and endpoints. The method should also be
metal-contaminated sediments from the Clark Fork River, MT
(11) peer reviewed and (12) confirmed with responses with
to be (from greatest to least): H. azteca > C. riparius >
natural populations of benthic organisms (see 1.6.8).
Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout) > Daphnia magna.
1.6.2 Of the criteria outlined in Table 1, a data base
Relative sensitivity of the three endpoints evaluated in the H.
demonstratingrelativesensitivitytocontaminants,contactwith
aztecatestwithClarkForkRiversedimentswas(fromgreatest
sediment, ease of culture in the laboratory, interlaboratory
to least): length > sexual maturation > survival.
comparisons, tolerance of varying sediment physico-chemical
characteristics, and confirmation with responses of natural 1.6.3.2 In 10-day water-only and whole-sediment tests,
benthos populations were the primary criteria used for select- Hyalella azteca and C. dilutus were more sensitive than D.
ing H. azteca and C. dilutus to be described as test methods in magna to fluoranthene-spiked sediment (19).
TABLE 1 Rating of Selection Criteria for Freshwater Sediment Toxicity Testing Organisms. A “+” or “−” Rating Indicates a Positive or
Negative Attribute (“NA” = Not Applicable)
Daphnia spp.
Hyalella Diporeia Chironomus Chironomus Lumbriculus Tubifex Hexagenia and Cerio-
Criterion Molluscs
azteca spp. dilutus riparius variegatus tubifex spp. daphnia spp.
Relative sensitivity toxicity data base + − + − + − − − −
Round-robin studies conducted + − + − − − − − −
Contact with sediment + + + + + + + + −
Laboratory culture + − + + + + − − +
Taxonomic identification + +/− +/− +/− + + + + +
Ecological importance + + + + + + + + +
Geographical distribution + +/− + + + + + + +/−
Sediment physicochemical tolerance + + +/− + + + − + NA
Response confirmed with benthos +++ + + + + −+
populations
Peer reviewed + + + + + + + − +/−
Endpoints monitored S,G,M S,B,A S,G,E S,G,E B,S S,R S,G B S,G,R
S = survival, G = Growth, B = Bioaccumulation, A = avoidance
R = Reproduction, M = Maturation, E = Emergence
E1706 − 05 (2010)
1.6.3.3 Ten-day, water-only tests also have been conducted Interestingly, in some instances (for example, dieldrin and
with a number of chemicals using H. azteca, C. dilutus, and L. chlorpyrifos), LC50 data generated for H. azteca or C. dilutus
variegatus ((19) and Table 2). These tests all were flow-
were comparable to or lower than any reported for other
through exposures using a soft natural water (Lake Superior)
freshwater species in the WQC documents. This observation
with measured chemical concentrations that, other than the
likely is a function not only of the test species, but of the test
absence of sediment, were conducted under conditions (for
conditions; many of the tests on which earlyWQC were based
example, temperature, photoperiod, feeding) similar to those
were static, rather than flow-through, and report unmeasured
beingdescribedforthestandard10-daysedimenttestin13.1.2.
contaminant concentrations.
In general, H. azteca was more sensitive to copper, zinc,
1.6.3.5 Measurableconcentrationsofammoniaarecommon
cadmium, nickel, and lead than either C. dilutus or L. varie-
intheporewaterofmanysedimentsandhavebeenfoundtobe
gatus. Chironomus dilutus and H. azteca exhibited a similar
a common cause of toxicity in pore water (21 , 22, 23).Acute
sensitivity to several of the pesticides tested. Lumbriculus
toxicity of ammonia to H. azteca, C. dilutus, and L. variegatus
variegatus was not tested with several of the pesticides;
has been evaluated in several studies. As has been found for
however, in other studies with whole sediments contaminated
many other aquatic organisms, the toxicity of ammonia to C.
by dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and associated
dilutus and L. variegatus has been shown to be dependent on
metabolites,andinshort-term(96-h)experimentswithorgano-
pH. Four-day LC50 values for L. variegatus in water-column
phosphate insecticides (diazinon, chlorpyrifos), L. variegatus
(no sediment) exposures ranged from 390 to 6.6 mg/L total
has proved to be far less sensitive than either H. azteca or C.
ammonia as pH was increased from 6.3 to 8.6 Schubauer-
dilutus. These results highlight two important points germane
Berigan et al.(24). For C. dilutus, 4-day LC50 values ranged
to these test methods. First, neither of the two test species
from 370 to 82 mg/L total ammonia over a similar pH range
selectedforestimatingsedimenttoxicity(H. azteca, C. dilutus)
(Schubauer-Beriganetal.) (24).Ankleyetal. (25)reportedthat
was consistently most sensitive to all chemicals, indicating the
the toxicity of ammonia to H. azteca (also in water-only
importance of using multiple test organisms when performing
exposures) showed differing degrees of pH-dependence in
sediment assessments. Second, L. variegatus appears to be
different test waters. In soft reconstituted water, toxicity was
relatively insensitive to most of the test chemicals, which
perhaps is a positive attribute for an organism used for not pH dependent, with 4-day LC50 values of about 20 mg/L
bioaccumulation testing (9). at pH ranging from 6.5 to 8.5. In contrast, ammonia toxicity in
1.6.3.4 UsingthedatafromTable2,sensitivityof H. azteca,
hard reconstituted water exhibited substantial pH dependence
C. dilutus, and L. variegatus can be evaluated relative to other
with LC50 values decreasing from >200 to 35 mg/L total
freshwaterspecies.Forthisanalysis,acuteandchronictoxicity
ammonia over the same pH range. Borgmann and Borgmann (
data from water quality criteria (WQC) documents for copper,
26) later showed that the variation in ammonia toxicity across
zinc, cadmium, nickel, lead, DDT, dieldrin, and chlorpyrifos,
these waters could be attributed to differences in sodium and
and toxicity information from the AQUI
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