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Chemical and biological evaluation of sediments from the Wadden Sea, The Netherlands

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Abstract

We describe the results of an evaluation of marine sediments using chemical measurements and bioassays. Four groups of chemicals, i.e., heavy metals, PAHs, chlorinated aromatic compounds, and tin compounds, were measured at 16 locations in the Wadden Sea, The Netherlands. Extractions of sediments from each location also were assessed using five bioassays. Our objective was to identify chemicals likely to pose biological risks, characterize the relation between bioassay results and particular classes of chemical(s) and determine “clean” reference sites on the basis of the chemical and biological evaluations. A multivariate technique (Principal Component Analysis; PCA) was used to meet these objectives. Results of the PCA indicated that the response of the Microtox Solid Phase bioassay had a positive, significant relationship with the levels of PAHs and organotin compounds. The responses of the other bioassays did not consistently relate to the concentrations of the other measured chemicals. Our findings indicate that the organotin compounds may still be a stressor for aquatic invertebrates in the Dutch Wadden Sea. On the basis of the chemical and biological evaluations, four sites (Dantziggat, Malzwin, Richel and Lauwers) can be considered to be “clean” reference sites.

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Acknowledgement

Bert Brinkman, Nico van den Brink and Theo Brock are acknowledged for comments on earlier versions of the manuscript. Joop Bakker, Martin Eggens, Greetje Werkman are thanked for initiating the Wadden Sea survey, RIKZ-ITL Haren for performing the chemical analyses, André Hannewijk for performing the bioassay with C. volutator, Johan Jol for performing the assay with E. cordatum, Marco Dubbeldam (AquaSense) for performing the MSP bioassay, and the bioassays with C. gigas and B. plicatilis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Alterra, Wageningen University and Research centre, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA , Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Paul J. Van den Brink

  2. Department of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, Wageningen University and Research centre, P.O. Box 8080, 6700 DD , Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Paul J. Van den Brink

  3. RIKZ/National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management, P.O. Box 8039, 4330 EA , Middelburg, The Netherlands

    Belinda J. Kater

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  1. Paul J. Van den Brink
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  2. Belinda J. Kater
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Correspondence to Paul J. Van den Brink.

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Van den Brink, P.J., Kater, B.J. Chemical and biological evaluation of sediments from the Wadden Sea, The Netherlands. Ecotoxicology 15, 451–460 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-006-0080-6

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