Effects of storage time on the toxicity of sediments to freshwater benthic invertebrates

Current guidance concerning recommended storage times for sediments to be subjected to toxicity tests has been based largely on limited studies with a small number of samples. The objective of this study was to better define the effects of storage time on the toxicity of a series of freshwater sediments. Eighteen sediments with varying types of contaminants (metals, pesticides, PCBs, ammonia) were collected, held at 4 C, and periodically tested for toxicity to the amphipod Hyalella azteca and the midge Chironomus tentans for storage times ranging from 4 to 16 months. The sediments ranged from non-toxic to, extremely toxic (100% mortality) in 10-d assays with both species, with the majority of samples displaying an intermediate degree of toxicity. Toxicity of most of the samples did not vary significantly with storage time; in those instances when toxicity did change, the same relative conclusions concerning sample toxicity generally would have been made regardless of when they were tested. Their data suggest that current guidelines concerning sediment storage times may be overly restrictive, at least with respect toxicity testing.