The role of traditional and novel toxicity test methods in assessing stormwater and sediment contamination

G. Allen Burton, Robert Pitt, Shirley Clark

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

69 Scopus citations

Abstract

Traditional effluent and ambient water column toxicity tests were used widely for evaluating the contamination of stormwaters and sediments. These assays consist of a routine bioassay exposure design of 1 to 9 days using freshwater and marine/estuarine species known to be sensitive to a wide range of toxicants. While effluent toxicity may be indicative of sediment or stormwater toxicity in the receiving system, the exposure is different, and therefore toxicity cannot be readily predicted. Whole effluent toxicity test methods were used effectively and also misused in evaluations of whole sediments, pore (interstitial) water, elutriates (extracts) and stormwaters.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)413-447
Number of pages35
JournalCritical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology
Volume30
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Water Science and Technology
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The role of traditional and novel toxicity test methods in assessing stormwater and sediment contamination'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this