Ecotoxicology of suspended and bottom sediments : Athabasca, Smoky and Peace Rivers, June 1995 / prepared for the Northern River Basins Study under project 2326-E1 by Evan Dobson, Kristin Day and T.B....: R71-49/3-135E-PDF

"In June 1995, samples of whole sediment (five replicates per site) and suspended sediment (one sample per site) were collected from various locations in the Athabasca, Smoky and Peace Rivers, Alberta. Four species of benthic invertebrates, the chironomid Chironomus riparius, the amphipod Hyalella azteca, the mayfly Hexagenia spp. and the oligochaete worm Tubi/ex tubifex were exposed to these samples in 10 to 28 day chronic toxicity tests. The endpoints measured were survival and growth of C. riparius, H. azteca, and Hexagenia spp. and survival and reproduction of T. tubifex. With the exception of the chironomid, some or all of the other species had reduced survival, growth and/or reproductive output when exposed to whole sediments collected from sites AR1, AR5, AR8 and AR 9 in the Athabasca River. These effects were attributed to either the presence of elevated levels of metals (Cu and Ni) at some of the sites and/or the high sand content. Levels of Cu and Ni were slightly above the Lowest Effects Level (LEL) for sediments in Ontario established as a guideline for toxicity to benthic invertebrates"--Report summary.

Permanent link to this Catalogue record:
publications.gc.ca/pub?id=9.955850&sl=0

• MARC XML format
• MARC HTML format

Request alternate formats