SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1985
STP36277S

An Overview of Biological Effects Testing in Puget Sound, Washington: Methods, Results, and Implications

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There are relatively few broad-scale studies in which the toxicity (including mutagenicity) of complex contaminant mixtures found in the marine environment has been directly tested. The authors recently completed a series of biological effects studies in Puget Sound, Washington, which involved testing the toxicity of sediments from a variety of sites including heavily industrialized embayments and reference and control areas. Areas chosen for testing encompassed gradients of chemical contamination ranging from lightly to heavily impacted. The following tests were done: (1) acute lethality to a marine fish species (stickleback) and two invertebrate species (an oligochaete and an amphipod); (2) sublethal effects on the respiration rate of an oligochaete species; (3) effects on mitosis of fish cells in culture; (4) lethal and sublethal effects on oyster larvae; (5) lethal and sublethal effects on surf smelt eggs and larvae; (6) lethal and sublethal effects on a polychaete's life-cycle; and (7) in vitro fish cell reproduction studies. Up to 97 sites were investigated, and one or more tests were applied to sediments from each site.

The results indicated that sediments collected from areas shown by other studies to be contaminated with a variety of toxic chemicals were capable of causing lethal and sublethal effects to tested biota in the laboratory. There was good correspondence among the results of the different tests. Sediments from badly contaminated areas overall were the most toxic, while those from the least contaminated areas were the least toxic. Data from field and laboratory studies performed by others with fish and benthos supported the geographic trends observed here. Together, the data from this and other studies have shown effects at the subcellular, cellular, organ, organism, and assemblage levels in parts of Puget Sound.

Data on the biological responses are presently being correlated with complimentary chemical data as an initial step to determine possible causes. Meanwhile, the data from this biological effects study and previously performed contaminant surveys are being used to prioritize areas in Puget Sound for alternative remedial actions. Implications to the affected biota are discussed.

Author Information

Chapman, PM
E. V. S. Consultants Ltd., North Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Dexter, RN
E. V. S. Consultants Inc., Seattle, Wash
Kocan, RM
Suquamish, Wash
Long, ER
Office of Marine Pollution Assessment, NOAA/MESA Puget Sound Project, Seattle, Wash
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Developed by Committee: E47
Pages: 344–363
DOI: 10.1520/STP36277S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4922-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0410-5