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Sediment contamination and biological effects in a Chesapeake Bay marina

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Abstract

Complementary measures of sediment toxicity, sediment chemistry and benthic community structure were evaluated at stations within and on the outside perimeter of an enclosed marina on the Bohemia River, a northeastern tributary to Chesapeake Bay. Sediment concentrations of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, copper and tributyltin (TBT) were elevated at stations inside the marina basin. A 28 day partial life-cycle test with the amphipod Hyalella azteca indicated no significant lethal effects associated with test sediments. However, amphipods exposed to sediments collected from three stations inside the marina basin were significantly larger than amphipods from control sediments, possibly as the result of hormesis. Sediment pore water from two out of the three stations eliciting enhanced amphipod growth caused a reduction in light emission by luminescent bacteria in the Microtox® assay. Furthermore, sediments from these two stations contained the greatest measured concentrations of copper and TBT. Benthic infaunal communities that typically reflect environmental degradation were found exclusively at stations within the marina basin. The area of environmental impact appears to be localized to the enclosed basin, as the marina design limits flushing and, hence, contaminant export.

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Author notes

  1. Beth L. McGee

    Present address: Wye Research and Education Center, University of Maryland, PO Box 169, 21658, Queenstown, MD, USA

  2. Christian E. Schlekat

    Present address: Science Application International Corporation, 02882, Narragansett, RI, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Maryland Department of the Environment, 2500 Broening Highway, 21224, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Beth L. McGee, Christian E. Schlekat & Daniel M. Boward

  2. Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A & M University, 833 Graham Road, 77845, College Station, TX, USA

    Terry L. Wade

Authors
  1. Beth L. McGee
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  2. Christian E. Schlekat
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  3. Daniel M. Boward
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  4. Terry L. Wade
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McGee, B.L., Schlekat, C.E., Boward, D.M. et al. Sediment contamination and biological effects in a Chesapeake Bay marina. Ecotoxicology 4, 39–59 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00350649

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