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Integrating the fish embryo toxicity test as triad element for sediment toxicity assessment based on the Water Framework Directive approach

  • SEDIMENTS, SEC 2 • SEDIMENT RISK MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION • RESEARCH ARTICLE
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Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this study was to complement analyses according to the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD) with a sediment toxicity analysis as part of an integrated river assessment. To this end, Hessian water courses were analyzed using the sediment quality triad concept according to Chapman with chemical analyses, in situ effect evaluations, and ecotoxicological assessments. For the ecotoxicological assessment (fish embryo toxicity test with Danio rerio), a new evaluation scheme was developed, the fish teratogenicity index (FTI), that allows for a classification of sediments into ecological quality classes compliant to the WFD.

Materials and methods

Sediment and macrozoobenthos samples were taken from tributaries of the rivers Fulda and Lahn. Sediments were characterized regarding particle size, carbon, heavy metals, and polyaromatic hydrocarbon content. Macroinvertebrate samples were taken via multi-habitat sampling. The fish embryo toxicity test with D. rerio was conducted as a contact assay on the basis of DIN 38415-6.

Results and discussion

The integrated assessment indicated a significant influence of heavy metals and carbon content on macroinvertebrate communities. The bioaccessibility of sediment pollutants were clearly demonstrated by the FTI, which showed a wide range of adverse effects. A significant linear relationship between metals and the FTI was detected. However, there was no statistically significant evidence that macroinvertebrate communities were affected by the hydromorphological quality elements at the sampling sites.

Conclusions

The new scheme for the assessment of fish embryo toxicity test was successfully applied. The results suggest that sediment compounds impact macroinvertebrate communities and early development of fish. It demonstrates that the quality of sediments should be evaluated on a routine basis as part of an integrated river assessment.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are particularly grateful for the support of sediment analysis by Heike Heidenreich and Gerlinde Liepelt from the International Graduate School Zittau as well as for collaborative support by Simone Galluba and Maren Heß from Goethe University Frankfurt am Main and Dietmar Bernauer. Moreover, the authors wish to thank Mirco Weil from ECT Oekotoxikologie GmbH for support with ammonia toxicity testing.

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Author notes

  1. Mariana Bartzke

    Present address: Department Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany

  2. Vera Delov

    Present address: Ecotoxicology, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Siesmayerstr. 70, 60054, Frankfurt, Germany

    Mariana Bartzke, Vera Delov & Jörg Oehlmann

  2. Gobio GmbH, Scheidertalstr. 69a, 65326, Aarbergen/Kettenbach, Germany

    Mariana Bartzke, Vera Delov, Petra Stahlschmidt-Allner & Bernhard Allner

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  1. Mariana Bartzke
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  2. Vera Delov
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Correspondence to Mariana Bartzke.

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Responsible editor: Marc Babut

Mariana Bartzke and Vera Delov contributed equally to this article.

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Bartzke, M., Delov, V., Stahlschmidt-Allner, P. et al. Integrating the fish embryo toxicity test as triad element for sediment toxicity assessment based on the Water Framework Directive approach. J Soils Sediments 10, 389–399 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-009-0170-1

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