Interlaboratory Comparison of Three Sediment Bioaccumulation Tests.

Standard bioaccumulation tests are commonly conducted using Macoma nasuta (clam), and Alitta virens (polychaete) for marine tests, and Lumbriculus variegatus (an oligochaete) for freshwater tests. Because the interlaboratory variability associated with these tests is unknown, four experienced laboratories conducted standard 28-day bioaccumulation tests with the above species using sediments contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Chemical analysis of tissue samples was performed by a single laboratory.

Effects of husbandry parameters on the life-history traits of the apple snail, Marisa cornuarietis: effects of temperature, photoperiod, and population density.

These experiments are part of a larger study designed to investigate the influence of husbandry parameters on the life history of the apple snail, Marisa cornuarietis. The overall objective of the program is to identify suitable husbandry conditions for maintaining multi-generation populations of this species in the laboratory for use in ecotoxicological testing. In this article, we focus on the effects of photoperiod, temperature, and population density on adult fecundity and juvenile growth.

Effects of bisphenol a on fecundity, egg hatchability, and juvenile growth of Marisa cornuarietis.

Recent work on the snail Marisa cornuarietis has claimed to show endocrine disruption in response to bisphenol A (BPA). The present experimental design was optimized to detect effects of BPA on fecundity, egg hatchability, and juvenile growth, with an emphasis on reproduction, since previous studies suggested this to be a sensitive endpoint. No differences in eggs/female/ month between unexposed snails and snails exposed to nominal concentrations of 0.

Does bisphenol A induce superfeminization in Marisa cornuarietis? Part I: intra- and inter-laboratory variability in test endpoints.

It has been claimed that bisphenol A (BPA) induces superfeminization in the freshwater gastropod, Marisa cornuarietis. To explore the reproducibility of prior work, here we present results from a three-laboratory study, the objectives of which were to determine the mean and variability in test endpoints (i.e.

Does bisphenol A induce superfeminization in Marisa cornuarietis? Part II: toxicity test results and requirements for statistical power analyses.

This study presents results of the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on adult egg production, egg hatchability, egg development rates and juvenile growth rates in the freshwater gastropod, Marisa cornuarietis. We observed no adult mortality, substantial inter-snail variability in reproductive output, and no effects of BPA on reproduction during 12 weeks of exposure to 0, 0.1, 1.

Development of freshwater water-quality criteria for perchlorate.

The anion perchlorate (ClO4-) is an oxidizing component commonly used in solid propellants for rockets and missiles; in explosives, flares, fireworks, chemical processes, and automobile air-bag inflators; and for other assorted uses. With recent advances in analytical detection capability, perchlorate has been found in a variety of ground and surface waters throughout the United States. Because perchlorate has been associated with thyroid problems in humans and may have similar effects on wildlife, it is desirable to develop a water-quality criterion to assist in identifying concentrations of perchlorate in water likely to pose an ecological health risk.