A method for assessing chemical contamination of bottom sediments using bioassay approach
Аннотация
A method for assessing the degree of marine pollution (TPF chem ) is developed using a bioassay approach. The index TPF bio is calculated as the average coordinate of the optima of response curves (along the TPF chem gradient) known for the taxa of macrozoobenthos found at each station. The scale for correspondence between TPF chem and TPF bio is determined, separately for the fine-grained bottom sediments (with more than 10–12 % of particles < 0.05 mm) and for the sediments with lower portion of fine particles. Any list of species can be processed. Besides the assessing the level of chemical pollution, the method allows to correct results of chemical assessments and to restore dynamics of anthropogenic impact or to trace accumulation of pollutants at the seashore. However, reliable results of this method can be guaranteed for the coastal waters of Vladivostok only.