USGS ScienceSearch

Geology topics

Laverne Cleveland

Publications and source records attributed to Laverne Cleveland.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

Toxicological and chemical screening of Antarctica sediments: Use of whole sediment toxicity tests, microtox, mutatox and semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs)

Eight whole sediment samples from Antarctica (four from Winter Quarters Bay and four from McMurdo Sound) were toxicologically and chemically evaluated. Also, the influence of ultraviolet radiation on the toxicity and bioavailability of contaminants associated with the sediment samples was assessed. The evaluations were accomplished by use of a 10-day whole sediment test with Leptocheirus plumulosus , Microtox®, Mutatox® and semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs). Winter Quarters Bay sediments contained about 250 ng g −1 (dry weight) total PCBs and 20 μg g −1 total PAHs. These sediments elicited toxicity in the Microtox test and avoidance and inhibited burrowing in the L. plumulosus test. The McMurdo Sound sediment samples contained only trace amounts of PCBs and no PAHs, and were less toxic in both the L. plumulosus and Microtox tests compared to the Winter Quarters Bay sediments. The sediments from McMurdo Sound apparently contained some unidentified substance which was photolytically modified to a more toxic form. The photolytic modification of sediment-associated contaminants, coupled with the polar ozone hole and increased incidence of ultraviolet radiation could significantly increase hazards to Antarctic marine life.

Marine Pollution Bulletin

Toxicity and bioaccumulation of waterborne and dietary selenium in juvenile bluegill ( Lepomis macrochirus )

Juvenile bluegill ( Lepomis macrochirus ) were exposed to waterborne selenium as a 6:1 mixture of selenate to selenite (as Se) for 60 d and to dietary seleno- l -methionine for 90 d. Measured concentrations of total selenium in the waterborne exposure ranged from 0.16 to 2.8 mg/l, and concentrations of seleno- l -methionine in the test diet ranged from 2.3 to 25.0 mg/kg wet weight. Mortality, body weight, condition factor, swimming and feeding behavior, aggression, and selenium tissue residues were monitored during the tests. Increased mortality at measured concentrations of 0.64 mg Se/l and greater was the primary adverse effect of waterborne selenium on the juvenile bluegill. Bluegill exposed to 2.8 mg/l of waterborne Se for 30 d exhibited a significant reduction in condition factor ( K ), whereas dietary exposure of bluegill to 25 mg Se/kg for 30 d and 13 mg Se/kg or greater for 90 d elicited significant reductions in K . Mortality and swimming activity of bluegill were not affected in the dietary exposure. Net accumulation of Se from both water and diet was directly related to exposure concentration. Bioconcentration factors ranged from 5 to 7 for bluegill exposed to waterborne Se and from 0.5 to 1.0 for fish exposed to dietary Se. Results of these laboratory tests indicate that survival of bluegill may be impaired in natural waters with elevated Se concentrations.

Aquatic Toxicology