Abstract
The structures of macrobenthic communities that colonized sand-filled boxes in laboratory and field were compared to learn if laboratory-developed assemblages of animals used in toxicity studies realistically simulate those in nature. Laboratory boxes were colonized for eight weeks in the Spring and Fall by planktonic larvae from continuously-supplied unfiltered seawater; field boxes, by naturally-occurring estuarine animals. Laboratory communities had larger numbers, but fewer species than field communities. One-fourth of the species found in field boxes also occured in laboratory boxes. Species density, diversity, and dominance were similar in both environments in the Fall, but differed in the Spring. The degree of similarity of laboratory assemblages of benthic animals to the highly variable assemblages in the field indicates applicability of laboratory toxicity studies to nature.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Flint, R. W., Duke, T. W., and Kalke, R. D.: 1982,Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 28, 257.
Giddings, J. M.: 1981, ‘Laboratory Tests for Chemical Effects on Aquatic Population Interactions and Ecosystems Properties’, in Hammonds, A. S. (ed.),U.S. Environ. Protection Agency Rep. EPA-560/11-80026, pp. 23–91.
Hansen, D. J. and Tagatz, M. E.: 1980, ‘A Laboratory Test for Assessing Impacts of Substances on Developing Communities of Benthic Estuarine Organisms’, in Eaton, J. G., Parrish, P. R., and Hendricks, A. C. (eds.),ASTM Spec. Tech. Publ. 707, Am. Sec. for Test. and Materials, Philadelphia, PA, pp. 40–57.
Rubinstein, N. I., D'Asaro, C. N., Sommers, C., and Wilkes, F. G.: 1980a, ‘The Effects of Contaminated Sediments on Representative Estuarine Species and Developing Benthic Communities’, inContaminants and Sediments, Baker, R. A. (ed.). Ann Arbor Science Publishers, Ann Arbor, MI., pp. 445–461.
Rubinstein, N. I., Rigby, R., and D'Asaro, C. N.: 1980b, ‘Acute and Sublethal Effects of Whole Used Drilling Fluids on Representative Estuarine Organisms’, inSymposium: Research in Evironmental Fate and Effects of Drilling Fluids and Cuttings, Jan. 21–24, 1980,Lake Buena Vista, Fl. Am. Petrol. Instit., Washington, D. C., pp. 828–846.
Shannon, C. E. and Weaver, W.: 1963,The Mathematical Theory of Communication, University of Illinois Press, Urbana. 117 pp.
Sheridan, P. F. and Badger, A. C.: 1981,Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Sci. 13, 337.
Simpson, E. H.: 1949,Nature 163, 688.
Swartz, R. C.: 1978, ‘Techniques for Sampling and Analyzing the Marine Macrobenthos’,U.S. Environ. Protection Agency Rep. EPA 600/3-78-030. 27 pp.
Swartz, R. C., Walker, J. D., Bean, W. A., and Cole, F. A.: 1976, ‘Structural Analysis of Stressed Marine Communities’, inU.S. Environ. Protection Agency, Rep. EPA 600/3-76-079, pp. 3–12.
Tagatz, M. E., Ivey, J. M., Lehman, H. K., and Oglesby, J. L.: 1979a,J. Toxicol. Environ. Health 5, 643.
Tagatz, M. E., Ivey, J. M., and Oglesby, J. L.: 1979b,N.E. Gulf Sci. 3, 88.
Tagatz, M. E. and Ivey, J. M.: 1981,Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 27, 256.
Tagatz, M. E., Ivey, J. M., Gregory, N. R., and Oglesby, J. L.: 1981,Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 26, 137.
Tagatz, M. E., Greorgy, N. R., and Plaia, G. R.: 1982a,J. Toxicol. Environ Health 10, 411.
Tagatz, M. E., Ivey, J. M., Dalbo, C. E., and Oglesby, J. L.: 1982b,Estuaries 5, 131.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tagatz, M.E., Deans, C.H. Comparison of field- and laboratory-developed estuarine benthic communities for toxicant-exposure studies. Water Air Soil Pollut 20, 199–209 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00279630
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00279630