Application of bioassays in toxicological hazard, risk and impact assessments of dredged sediments

摘要: Given the potential environmental consequences of dumped dredged harbour sediments it is vital to establish risks from exposure before disposal at sea. Currently, European legislation for contaminated sea based on chemical analysis a limited number well-known contaminants which maximum acceptable concentrations, action levels (ALs), have been set. The present paper addresses issue applicability in vitro and vivo bioassays hazard, risk local impact assessment polluted be disposed It discusses how what extent selected can fill gaps left open by way may contribute licensing system disposal. Three different purposes application were distinguished: most basic (A) rapid determination hazard (potential toxicity) then compared ALs system. As with whole sediment extracts, bioavailability chemicals not taken into account. assays extracts are sensitive matrix effects, selection specific suitable fast standardized additions When outcome does convincingly demonstrate whether clean enough or too polluted, further bioanalysis help decision making process (B). More aspects mostly unknown complex mixtures account, including chronic toxicity focusing ecologically relevant endpoints. ecotoxicological pressure imposed quantified as potentially affected fraction (PAF) biological biota. To validate predicted risk, actual ecosystems (C) determined using dedicated set well bio-indicators information obtained (B) characteristics ecosystem. Conversely, direct fine-tuning bioassay analyses setting safe concluded that indicators useful tools sediments, provided they consciously chosen quality criteria assay performance defined.