Sediment quality of North Carolina estuaries: an integrative assessment of sediment contamination, toxicity, and condition of benthic fauna

摘要: Sediment quality of North Carolina estuaries was evaluated using synoptic data on sediment chemistry, toxicity, and macroinfaunal community structure from 175 subtidal stations sampled during the summers 1994–1997. The study area included Currituck, Albemarle, Pamlico Sounds; estuarine portions major rivers (e.g., Chowan, Roanoke, Tar-Pamlico, Neuse, New, Cape Fear); numerous smaller tributaries coastal embayments between Virginia South borders. A probabilistic sampling design permitted statistical estimation spatial extent degraded versus non-degraded condition across these estuaries. Over half (54 ± 7%) surveyed had high characterized by healthy benthic assemblages low levels contamination toxicity. remaining 46% showed evidence significant stress in one or more above sediment-quality-triad components. While this is a sizable area, it (27 6%) were represented sites with no connection presence stressors adverse biological responses. Only 19% total an impaired benthos coupled to pollution exposure (high contamination, both). Impaired closely linked than dissolved oxygen (based instantaneous measurements). most pervasive contaminants metals arsenic, mercury, chromium, nickel; pesticides lindane, dieldrin, DDT, DDT derivatives; PCBs. Degraded all three components triad co-occurred <10% suggesting that strong contaminant-induced effects are limited small (yet ecologically significant) percentage area. toxicity much less comparison other U.S. regions where similar studies have been performed.