Possible biological significance of contaminated sediments in Port Jackson, Sydney, Australia.

摘要: Comprehensive investigations of estuaries in central New South Wales has identified Port Jackson as the most contaminated waterway on eastern seaboard Australia. Extensive areas estuary are mantled sediment containing high concentrations a large range metallic and organic contaminants. Although extensive, this database does not provide an effective basis for determining potential adverse effects chemicals living resources. In absence any ecotoxicological information, recently published (1999) draft Australian Zealand Environmental Conservation Council (ANZECC) quality guidelines have been used to assess possible biological these toxicants. The ANZECC use lower widely U. S. National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scheme identify potentially threshold trigger additional investigative work. This guideline level current study toxicity sediments Jackson. It is estimated that approximately 26% estuary, mainly upper parts harbour much harbour, 67% probability being toxic. Sediments major tributary, Middle Harbour, comprising about 40% 13 25% toxicity. All except at mouth would require environmental assessment based proposed guidelines.