ASTM E1525-02(2023)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Designing Biological Tests with Sediments
Standard Guide for Designing Biological Tests with Sediments
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
6.1 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).
6.2 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.
6.3 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).
6.4 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...
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).2 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 Organisms
10
Experimental Design Considerations
11
Data Interpretation
12
Keywords
13
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values g...
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E1525 − 02 (Reapproved 2023)
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
systems continues to be reduced through the implementation of 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, health, and environmental practices and deter-
nities are an important component of many ecosystems and
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
alterations of these communities may affect water-column and
For specific hazard statements, see Section 7.
nonaquatic species.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.2 Biological tests with sediments are an efficient means
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
for evaluating sediment contamination because they provide
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
information complementary to chemical characterizations and
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
ecological surveys (2). Acute sediment toxicity tests can be
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
used as screening tools in the early phase of an assessment
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
hierarchy that ultimately could include chemical measurements
2. Referenced Documents
or bioaccumulation and chronic toxicity tests. Sediment tests
have been applied in both saltwater and freshwater environ-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ments (2-6). Sediment tests have been used for dredge material
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
permitting, site ranking for remediation, recovery studies
D4447 Guide for Disposal of Laboratory Chemicals and
following management actions, and trend monitoring. A par-
Samples
ticularly important application is for establishing contaminant-
E724 Guide for Conducting Static Short-Term Chronic Tox-
specific effects and the processes controlling contaminant
icity Tests Starting with Embryos of Four Species of
bioavailability(7).
Saltwater Bivalve Molluscs
E729 Guide for Conducting Acute Toxicity Tests on Test
1.3 This guide is arranged as follows:
Materials with Fishes, Macroinvertebrates, and Amphib-
Section
ians
Referenced Documents 2
Terminology 3
E943 Terminology Relating to Biological Effects and Envi-
Application 4
ronmental Fate (Withdrawn 2023)
Summary of Guide 5
E1023 Guide for Assessing the Hazard of a Material to
Significance and Use 6
Hazards 7
Aquatic Organisms and Their Uses
Sediment Test Types 8
E1367 Test Method for Measuring the Toxicity of Sediment-
Biological Responses 9
Associated Contaminants with Estuarine and Marine In-
vertebrates
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E50 on Environmental
Assessment, Risk Management and Corrective Action 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 Jan. 1, 2023. Published March 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as E1525 – 02(2014). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/E1525-02R23. 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 (2023)
E1383 Guide for Conducting Sediment Toxicity Tests with 3.2.3 control sediment—a sediment that is essentially free of
Freshwater Invertebrates (Withdrawn 1995) contaminants and is used routinely to assess the acceptability
E1391 Guide for Collection, Storage, Characterization, and of a test.
Manipulation of Sediments for Toxicological Testing and
3.2.4 elutriate—the water and soluble portion extracted
for Selection of Samplers Used to Collect Benthic Inver-
from the sediment.
tebrates
3.2.5 exposure—contact with a chemical or physical agent.
E1563 Guide for Conducting Short-Term Chronic Toxicity
3.2.6 overlying water—the water placed over the solid
Tests 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
Eisenia Fetida and the Enchytraeid Potworm Enchytraeus
3.2.7 pore water/interstitial water—water occupying space
albidus between sediment or soil particles.
E1688 Guide for Determination of the Bioaccumulation of
3.2.8 reference sediment—a whole sediment near the area of
Sediment-Associated Contaminants by Benthic Inverte-
concern used to assess sediment conditions exclusive of
brates
material(s) of interest.
E1706 Test Method for Measuring the Toxicity 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. Terminology 3.2.12 toxicity—the property of a material or combination of
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.
used to express an absolute requirement, that is, to state that the
test ought to be designed to satisfy a specific condition, unless
4. Application
the purpose of the test requires a different design. “Must” is
4.1 An ASTM guide outlines a series of options or instruc-
used only in connection with the factors that apply directly to
tions and does not recommend a specific course of action. The
the acceptability of the test. “Should” is used to state that the
purpose of a guide is to offer guidance, based on a consensus
specified conditions are recommended and ought to be met in
of viewpoints, but not to establish a fixed procedure. A guide is
most tests. Although a violation of one “should” is rarely a
intended to increase the awareness of the user to available
serious matter, violation of several will often render the results
techniques in a given subject area and to provide information
questionable. Terms such as “is desirable,” “is often desirable,”
from which subsequent evaluation and standardization can be
and “might be desirable” are used in connection with less
derived.
important factors. “May” is used to mean “is (are) allowed to,”
“can” is used to mean“ is (are) able to,” and “might” is used to 4.2 This guide provides general interpretative guidance on
the selection, application, and interpretation of biological tests
mean “could possibly.” Thus, the classic distinction between
“may” and“ can” is preserved, and “might” is never used as a with sediments. As such, this guide serves as a preface to other
ASTM documents describing methods for sediment collection,
synonym of either “may” or “can.”
storage, and manipulation (Guide E1391); and toxicity or
3.1.2 For definitions of terms used in this guide, refer to
bioaccumulation tests with sediment ( Guides E724, E1367,
Guide E729, Terminologies D1129 and E943, and Guide
E1391, E1611, E1563, E1688, and Test Method E1706). Much
E1023. For an explanation of the units and symbols, refer to
of the guidance presented in this standard is also applicable to
IEEE/ASTM SI-10.
toxicity testing of soils (Guide E1676). This guide serves as an
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
introduction and summary of sediment testing and is not meant
3.2.1 bioaccumulation—the net uptake of a material by an
to provide specific guidance on test methods. Rather, its intent
organism from its environment through exposure by means of
is to provide information necessary to accomplish the follow-
water and food.
ing:
3.2.2 concentration—the ratio of the weight or volume of
4.2.1 Select a sediment exposure strategy appropriate to the
test material(s) to the weight or volume of test sample.
assessment need. For example, a suspended phase exposure is
relevant to the evaluation of dredged sediments for disposal at
a dispersive aquatic site. (See Annex A1).
4.2.2 Select the test organism and biological endpoints
Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington DC 20402. appropriate to the desired exposure and aquatic resources at
E1525 − 02 (2023)
risk. For example, the potential for water quality problems and 6.4 Sediment tests can be used to develop exposure-
subsequent effects on oyster beds may dictate the use of response relationships for individual toxicants by spiking clean
sediment elutriate exposures with bivalve larvae (Guide E724). sediments with varying concentrations of a test chemical and
4.2.3 Establish an experimental design consistent with the determining the concentration that elicits the target response in
objectives of the sediment evaluation. The use of appropriate the test organism (Guide E1391). Sediment tests can also be
controls is particularly important for evaluating sediment designed to determine the effects that the physical and chemi-
contamination (see Section 11). cal properties of sediments have on the bioavailability and
4.2.4 Determine which statistical procedures should be toxicity of compounds.
applied to analysis of the data, and define the limits of
6.5 Sediment tests can provide valuable information for
applicability of the resultant analyses in data interpretation
making decisions regarding the management of contaminated
(Test Method E1706).
sediments from hazardous waste sites and other contaminated
areas. Biological tests with sediments can also be used to make
5. Summary of Guide
defensible management decisions on the dredging and disposal
5.1 This guide provides general guidance and objectives for
of potentially contaminated sediments from rivers and harbors.
conducting biological tests with sediments. Detailed technical
((7, 8), Test Method E1706.)
information on the conduct and evaluation of specific sediment
tests is included in other documents referenced in this guide.
7. Hazards
5.2 Neither this guide nor any specific test methodology can
7.1 General Precautions:
adequately address the multitude of technical factors that must
7.1.1 Development and maintenance of an effective health
be considered when designing and conducting a specific
and safety program in the laboratory requires an ongoing
investigation. The intended use of this document is therefore
commitment by laboratory management and includes: (1) the
not to provide detailed guidance, but rather to assist the
appointment of a laboratory health and safety officer with the
investigator in developing technically sound and environmen-
responsibility and authority to develop and maintain a safety
tally relevant biological tests that adequately address the
program, (2) the preparation of a formal, written health and
questions being posed by a specific investigation.
safety plan, which is provided to each laboratory staff member,
6. Significance and Use
(3) an ongoing training program on laboratory safety, and (4)
regular safety inspections.
6.1 Contaminated sediments may affect natural populations
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 mized by (1) using gloves, laboratory coats, safety glasses, 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 ments under a ventilated hood or in an enclosed glove box, 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
injury and illness which might
...
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