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Interactions between sediment contaminants and benthic organisms

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Abstract

This paper provides an overview of interactions between contaminated sediments and bethic invertebrates in marine and freshwater systems using selected examples from the available literature. Impacts on the benthic community (e.g., acute toxicity, morphological and genetic changes in the Chironomidae and Oligochaeta, and induction of carcinogenesis) and changes in community structure are discussed. Processes by which benthic organisms transfer contaminants from sediments to other components of the aquatic system such as, bioaccumulation, trophic transfer, migration biodegradation, bioturbation and biodeposition are examined.

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  1. Trefor B. Reynoldson

    Present address: Canada Centre for Inland Waters, National Water Research Institute, L7R 4A6, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

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  1. Great Lakes Regional Office, International Joint Commission, N9A 6T3, Windsor, Ontario, Canada

    Trefor B. Reynoldson

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Reynoldson, T.B. Interactions between sediment contaminants and benthic organisms. Hydrobiologia 149, 53–66 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00048646

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