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."


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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


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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


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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.


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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


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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


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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


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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


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