CATALOG DOCUMENTATION NATIONAL COASTAL ASSESSMENT DATABASE 2 0 03 NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY HARBOR SYSTEM TOXICITY TEST DATA BY STATION TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. DATA SET IDENTIFICATION 2. INVESTIGATOR INFORMATION 3. DATA SET ABSTRACT 4. OBJECTIVES AND INTRODUCTION 5. DATA ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING METHODS 6. DATA MANIPULATIONS 7. DATA DESCRIPTION 8. GEOGRAPHIC AND SPATIAL INFORMATION 9. QUALITY CONTROL/QUALITY ASSURANCE 10. DATA ACCESS 11. REFERENCES 12. TABLE OF ACRONYMS 13. PERSONNEL INFORMATION 1. DATA SET IDENTIFICATION 1.1 Title of Catalog document National Coastal Assessment Database 2003 New York/New Jersey Harbor System Toxicity Test Data by Station 1.2 Author of the Catalog entry Melissa Hughes, Raytheon 1.3 Catalog revision date June 15, 2012 1.4 Data set name Toxicity Test Data by Station 1.5 Task Group Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program 1.6 Data set identification code NA 1.7 Version NA 1.8 Requested Acknowledgment If you plan to publish these data in any way, EPA requires a standard statement for work it has supported: "Although the data described in this article have been funded wholly or in part by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency through its EMAP-Estuaries Program, it has not been subjected to Agency review, and therefore does not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency and no official endorsement should be inferred." ------- 1.8 Requested Acknowledgment If you plan to publish these data in any way, EPA requires a standard statement for work it has supported: "Although the data described in this article have been funded wholly or in part by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency through its EMAP-Estuaries Program, it has not been subjected to Agency review, and therefore does not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency and no official endorsement should be inferred." 2. INVESTIGATOR INFORMATION 2.1 Principal Investigator Ms. Darvene A. Adams U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region II 2.2. Investigation Participant Ms. Sandi Robinson U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - ORD/NHEERL/AED 3. DATA SET ABSTRACT 3.1 Abstract of the Data Set The Toxicity Test Data Set reports mean results from sediment tests conducted using the tube-dwelling amphipod, Ampelisca abdita. The samples were taken in the New York/New Jersey Harbor region. Five replicate 10-day, static, non-renewal sediment toxicity tests were compared to results of a control test. Test results are also reported for 100% Elutriate test using Lytechinus variegatus to measure % survival. 3.2 Keywords for the Data Set sediment toxicity test, amphipod, Ampelisca abdita, Lytechinus variegatus 4. OBJECTIVES AND INTRODUCTION 4.1 Program Objective The project was designed to support resource management decisions related to pollution control and remediation throughout the New York/New Jersey (NY/NJ) Harbor and Bight Apex and to assist the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program (HEP) in developing a contaminant monitoring strategy to be included in the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) for the NY/NJ Harbor system. 4.2 Data Set Objective To provide an overview of the effect of sediment contamination on the benthos in the NY/NJ harbor region. 4.3 Data Set Background Discussion The New York/New Jersey Harbor System has been susceptible to toxic contamination due to surrounding land uses. Harbor sediments are contaminant reservoirs which can function as a secondary source of these land use contaminants. Contaminated sediments pose a substantial threat to Harbor resources and are a management challenge. The ecological significance of contaminant levels documented from purely chemical surveys is unknown in the absence of biological communities, such as the benthos, being exposed to these materials. Areas where contaminant levels are high but biological availability and toxicity are ------- low may be addressed best with management strategies different than those appropriate for areas where significant impacts to biota are evident. 4.4 Summary of Data Set Parameters Toxicity Test data set values were based on calculations performed on replicate test results. 5. DATA ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING METHODS 5.1 Data Acquisition 5.1.1 Sampling Objective Collect sediment grab samples suitable for conducting sediment toxicity tests using the amphipod Ampelisca abdita. 5.1.2 Sample Collection Methods Summary The grab sampler was lowered through the water column; the grab penetrated the sediment by gravity releasing a trigger allowing the jaws to close. When the grab was pulled from the sediment using the winch, the jaws closed, encapsulating the sediment sample. Multiple grabs were required to collect enough volume for analysis. Overlying water was carefully drained. The remaining top 2 cm of sediment from each grab was removed using stainless steel spoons. A composite of all grabs was homogenized in a glass bowl for 10 minutes. A subsample was removed for toxicity tests and transferred to a sample container that was stored on ice. 5.1.3 Sampling Start Date July 1, 2003 5.1.4 Sampling End Date September 25, 2003 5.1.5 Platform Sampling was conducted from the U.S.EPA research vessel, the R/V CLEAN WATERS. 5.1.6 Sampling Gear A 0.04-m2, stainless steel, Young-modified Van Veen Grab sampler was used to collect sediment grabs. This grab sampled an area of 440 cm2 and a maximum depth of penetration in the sediment of 10 cm. 5.1.7 Manufacturer of Sampling Equipment Young's Welding, Sandwich, MA 5.1.8 Key Variables No data were recorded at the time of sample collection. 5.1.9 Collection Method Calibration The sampling gear did not require any calibration. It required inspection for deformities incurred due to mishandling or impact on rocky substrates. 5.1.10 Sample Collection Quality Control A successful grab had relatively level, intact sediment over the entire ------- area of the grab and a sediment depth at the center of at least 5 centimeters. Unacceptable grabs included those with grossly slumped surfaces and those completely filled to the top, where the sediment wa in direct contact with the hinged top. Care was taken to avoid sediment that had touched the surface of the grab and to use only samples with undisturbed surfaces. Clean stainless steel spoons and glass mixing bowls were used to prevent accidental contamination. The van Veen Grab was rinsed with ambient seawater between grabs at a station and thoroughly cleaned with detergent and water between stations. 5.1.11 Sample Collection Method Reference Reifsteck, D.M., C.J. Strobel and D.J. Keith. 1993. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program - Near Coastal Component: 1993 Virginian Province Field Operations and Safety Manual. U.S. EPA NHEERL-AED. Narragansett, RI. 2 Data Preparation and Sample Processing 5.2.1 Sample Processing Objective Process sediment samples suitable for conducting sediment toxicity tests. 5.2.2 Sample Processing Methods Summary Control sediment was press-sieved through a 0.5 mm mesh stainless steel sieve to remove resident amphipods and debris. Test sediment was press-sieved through a 2.0 mm sieve to remove large debris and predaceous organisms. If amphipods were present, the test sediments were press-sieved through a 10 mm stainless steel sieve. Organisms were acclimated at 20 deg C and 30 ppt salinity prior to testing. For each toxicity test, 200 ml of composited, press-sieved sample were placed in 1 L glass test chambers and covered with 600 ml of seawater. Five replicate test chambers were used for each sample. Each replicate contained 20 organisms. Post-test enumeration of amphipods was performed without knowledge of sample identity to prevent bias. If less than 20 amphipods were found, the test sediment was stored in the dark for up to 48 hours to encourage emergence of any remaining amphipods. 5.2.3 Sample Processing Method Calibration The laboratories conducting the tests (USEPA Region 2 Bioassay Laboratory, Edison, NJ and SAIC, Narr., RI) participated in an interlaboratory comparison exercise. 5.2.4 Sample Processing Quality Control Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was used as a reference toxicant to evaluate the sensitivity of each batch of amphipods. 5.2.5 Sample Processing Method Reference ASTM. 1991. Standard guide for conducting 10-day static Sediment toxicity tests with marine and estuarine amphipods, E1367-91. American Society for Testing Materials, Phil., PA. ------- ASTM. 1992. Standard guide for conducting 10-day static Sediment toxicity tests with marine and estuarine amphipods, E1367-92. American Society for Testing Materials, Phil., PA. U.S. EPA. 1993. EMAP Laboratory Methods Manual: Estuaries. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH. 6. DATA MANIPULATIONS 6.1 Name of new or modified values Result Unit Measured - Ampelisca survival (mean) as % of control 6.2 Data Manipulation Description NA 6.3 Data Manipulation Examples NA 7. DATA DESCRIPTION 7.1 Description of Parameters Attribute Name Description DATA GROUP SAMPLING YEAR STATION SAMPLING DATE LATITUDE LONGITUDE SPECIES RESULT SIGNIFICANCE Group conducting sampling Year of sampling Station identifier Sample collection date Latitude (decimal degrees) Longitude (decimal degrees) Sediment toxicity test species % Survival (Mean survival as % of control survival) Significant difference (p<.0 5) from control 7.1.6 Precision to which values are reported The precision is indicated by the attribute format reported under 7.1 7.1.7 Minimum value in data set Result unit measured Result value Ampelisca survival (mean) as % of Control 1.1 7.1.8 Maximum value in Data Set Result unit measured Result value Ampelisca survival (mean) as % of Control 102.2 7.2 Data Record Example 7.2.1 Column Names for Example Records Data Group,Sampling Year,Station,Sampling Date,Latitude,Longitude, Species,Result,Significance 7.2.2 Example Data Records R-EMAP Region 2,2003,JB301,7/31/2003,40.629,-73.759, Ampelisca abdita,72.52 8,Significant R-EMAP Region 2,2003,JB303,8/8/2003,40.619,-73.778, Ampelisca abdita,100.733,Not significant R-EMAP Region 2,2003,JB305,8/7/2003,40.575,-73.87, Ampelisca abdita,100.275 ------- 8. GEOGRAPHIC AND SPATIAL INFORMATION 8.1 Minimum Longitude -74 Degrees 17.4 Minutes 48.00 Decimal Seconds 8.2 Maximum Longitude -73 Degrees 45 Minutes 0.54 Decimal Seconds 8.3 Minimum Latitude 40 Degrees 25.2 Minutes 36.00 Decimal Seconds 8.4 Maximum Latitude 40 Degrees 51.6 Minutes 42.00 Decimal Seconds 8.5 Name of area or region New York/New Jersey Harbor System: Four sub-basins were sampled in the New York/New Jersey Harbor, including: Upper Harbor, Newark Bay, Lower Harbor (includes Raritan and Sandy Hook Bays) and Jamaica Bay. For purposes of this study, the region includes the lower portions of the Hudson, Passaic, Harlem, Hackensack and Raritan Rivers, upstream to a near-bottom salinity of 15 ppt, the East River to Long Island Sound and Lower Harbor to the Atlantic Ocean. 9. QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALITY ASSURANCE 9.1 Data Quality Objectives Quality assurance goals were developed and followed for each QA sample type and for each analysis. 9.2 Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures Minimum control survival for satisfying test performance criteria was 90%. Final organism counts were confirmed by a second scientist. Control sediment from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Long Island Sound (LIS) reference station was tested along with the Harbor samples. Reference toxicant testing using phenol was conducted with each set of sediment assays. 9.3 Quality Assessment Results The in-house QC measures met the requirements established in the QA Plan. 9.4 Unassessed Errors NA 10. DATA ACCESS 10.1 Data Access Procedures Data can be downloaded from the WWW server. 10.2 Data Access Restrictions Data can only be accessed from the WWW server. 10.3 Data Access Contact Persons Ms. Darvene A. Adams U.S. EPA Region II ------- 10.4 Data Set Format Comma delimited 10.5 Information Concerning Anonymous FTP Data cannot be accessed via ftp. 10.6 Information Concerning WWW Data can be downloaded from the WWW servers. 10.7 EMAP CD-ROM Containing the Data Set Data are not available on CD-ROM 11. REFERENCES Adams, D. 1998. Quality Assurance Project Plan for Environmental Monitoring, "A 5-year Revisit of Sediment Quality in the NY/NJ Harbor." U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2, Edison, NJ. Adams, Darvene and Sandra Benyi. 2003. Final Report: Sediment Quality of the NY/NJ Harbor System-A 5-Year Revisit. EPA/9 02-R-03 - 002. USEPA-Region 2, Division of Science and Assessment. Edison, NJ. December 2 0 03. ASTM. 1991. Standard guide for conducting 10-day static Sediment toxicity tests with marine and estuarine amphipods, E1367-91. American Society for Testing Materials, Phil., PA. ASTM. 1992. Standard guide for conducting 10-day static Sediment toxicity tests with marine and estuarine amphipods, E1367-92. American Society for Testing Materials, Phil., PA. Reifsteck, D.M., C.J. Strobel and D.J. Keith. 1993. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program - Near Coastal Component: 1993 Virginian Province Field Operations and Safety Manual. U.S. EPA NHEERL-AED. Narragansett, RI. US EPA. 1993. EMAP Laboratory Methods Manual: Estuaries. US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH. 12. TABLE OF ACRONYMS 13 . PERSONNEL INFORMATION Principal Investigator Ms. Darvene A. Adams Monitoring and Assessment Branch Division of Environmental Science and Assessment U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region II 28 90 Woodbridge Ave. Edison, NJ 08837 (732) 321-6700 adams.darvene@epa.gov ------- Data Librarian, EMAP-IM Melissa M. Hughes Raytheon 27 Tarzwell Drive Narragansett, RI 02882-1197 (401) 782-3184 (Tel.) (401) 782-3030 (FAX) hughes.melissa@epa.gov ------- |