Comparing acute toxicity testing and extensive targeted chemical screening for risk assessment of urban stormwater pond sediments
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: 32 urban stormwater pond sediment samples were analyzed for 259 organic substances, 13 trace elements, physico-chemical parameters and acute toxicity of eluates to the bioluminescent bacteria Aliivibrio fischeri according to the Microtox® method. Five of these samples showed some toxicity to Aliivibrio fischeri . Statistical analysis was conducted to identify substances with significantly different concentrations between toxic and non-toxic samples, as well as differences in contaminant patterns between these sets. Results showed no significant differences in trace element, organic contaminant concentrations or overall contaminant patterns between toxic and non-toxic samples. However, dissolved oxygen was significantly lower in toxic than in non-toxic samples, likely due to an influence on the lability of contaminants. This work highlights the difficulty of conducting a pertinent and robust environmental hazard assessment for complex matrices composed of a large number of substances present at low concentrations and discusses the advantages and limitations of both chemical and biological approaches to environmental hazard assessment for urban stormwater sediments. Because the evaluation of urban stormwater sediments is so complex, to comprehensively and accurately analyse its risks, it is very important to consider both biological and chemical factors. Considering both will provide an accurate identification of possible risks and enhanced control of environmental risks in urban areas. This study shows that even when an unusually wide range of known contaminants are analyzed in stormwater pond sediments, it is difficult to associate total contaminant concentrations or contamination patterns with acute toxicity measurements. Although concentrations of both metals and organic contaminants exceeded ecological thresholds from three different frameworks, toxicity is seen only in anoxic sediments, likely due to higher bioavailability of contaminants in these studies. The study highlights that focusing solely on total contaminant levels can be inaccurate. As such, it is important to complement chemical analysis with biological tests and/or to consider other environmental factors, such as dissolved oxygen, when evaluating risk. This approach is vital for making effective decisions for sustainable environmental practices and policy. This study shows that even when an unusually wide range of known contaminants are analyzed in stormwater pond sediments, it is difficult to associate total contaminant concentrations or contamination patterns with acute toxicity measurements. Although concentrations of both metals and organic contaminants exceeded ecological thresholds from three different frameworks, toxicity is seen only in anoxic sediments, likely due to higher bioavailability of contaminants in these studies. The implication is that total concentrations are not always representative of a true environmental hazard, and it is important to complement chemical analysis with biological tests. • 272 chemical contaminants and acute toxicity analyzed in stormwater pond sediments • Organic contaminants exceeded ecological thresholds more than trace elements • No clear relationship between toxicity and contaminant concentrations or patterns • Anoxic sediments showed the highest toxicity, likely due to higher bioavailability
Source: Journal of Hazardous Materials
Institution: Luleå University of Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,340
OpenAlex ID: W4410030686