Contents
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6.1 Water Sampling
One of the objectives of the RMP is to evaluate if water quality objectives
are met at sampled stations. Therefore, the sampling and analysis methods
must be able to detect, and wherever possible quantify, substances below
these levels. In order to attain the low detection levels used in the
RMP, ultra-clean sampling methods are used in all sampling procedures
(Flegal and Stukas, 1987; EPA Method 1669, 1995).
Water samples are collected approximately one meter below the water surface
using peristaltic and gear-driven pumps. The sampling ports for both the
organic chemistry and trace element samplers are attached to aluminum
poles that are oriented up-current from the vessel and upwind from equipment
and personnel. The vessel is anchored and the engines turned off. Total
(or near-total) and dissolved fractions of Estuary water are measured
for trace elements. Particulate and dissolved fractions are measured for
trace organics, and totals are calculated.
The RMP used the polyurethane foam plug sampler to collect water for
trace organics analyses during the first four years of the Program (Risebrough
et al., 1976; de Lappe et al., 1980; 1983) and began to phase in a new,
modified, commercially available resin extraction sampler in 1996, beginning
with side-by-side comparisons of both sampling systems. XAD (cross-linked
amberlite dininyl benzene) resins have been used throughout the world
to measure synthetic organic contaminants in both water and air (Infante
et al., 1993). The sampler comparisons were continued in 1997, and results
from both years are presented in 1997 Annual Report (SFEI, 1999). Beginning
with the 1997 monitoring year, the custom-manufactured Axys system (Axys
Environmental Systems, Ltd., Sidney, B.C.) has been used to collect all
RMP water samples for analysis of trace organic pollutants. It consists
of a constant-flow, gear-driven positive displacement pump, 1/2
inch Teflon® tubing, 1 µm glass fiber cartridge particulate
filter, and two parallel Teflon® columns filled with XAD-2
resin with a particle size range of 300-900 µm. Amberlite XAD-2 resin
is a macroreticular, styrene-divinyl benzene copolymer, nonionic bead.
Each bead is an agglomeration of microspheres. This sponge-like structure
offers excellent physical and chemical stability. The discrete pores allow
rapid mass transfer of analytes, and the mesh size ensures very little,
if any, back pressure during use. The hydrophobic chemical nature of the
resin leads to excellent capability of concentrating hydrophobic contaminants.
The sample water is first passed through a coarse screen as it moves
into the Teflon® intake line to remove large particles
that may interfere with sample collection; particles greater than 140 µm
are removed as the sample water passes through the inline pre-filter.
The water then passes through the pump head and through a pressure gauge,
before it goes through one of two parallel four-inch diameter wound glass
fiber filters (1 µm). Using two filters allows a quick change to the
second filter if the first filter becomes clogged, without interrupting
sample collection. Material retained on the glass fiber filter (or filters)
becomes the particulate fraction. After passing through the filter, the
water is split and routed through two Teflon® columns,
packed with 85 mL of XAD-2 resin. Two filters are used simultaneously
to increase the flow to approximately 1.3 L/min. The compounds which are
adsorbed to the XAD resin are classified as the dissolved fraction. Lastly,
the water passes through a flow meter and out the exit tube where the
extracted water volume is verified with 20 L carbouys.
Equipment blanks are taken for both the resin columns and the glass fiber
filters. The two column blanks are collected by leaving both ends of a
column open while the filled sample columns are being loaded into the
sampler. Similarly, the two glass fiber filter blanks are collected by
exposing a filter to the air while loading the sample filters into the
cartridges. The blanks receive the same analytical treatment in the laboratory
as the field samples.
For trace metals, water samples are collected using a peristaltic pump
system equipped with C-Flex tubing in the pump head. Sample aliquoting
is conducted on deck on the windward side of the ship to minimize contamination
from shipboard sources (Flegal and Stukas, 1987). Filtered water samples
are obtained by placing an acid-cleaned polypropylene filter cartridge
(Micron Separations, Inc., 0.45 µm pore size) on the outlet of the pumping
system. Unfiltered water samples are pumped directly into acid-cleaned
containers. Prior to collecting water, several liters of water are pumped
through the system, and sample bottles are rinsed five times before filling.
The bottles are always handled with polyethylene-gloved "clean hands".
The sample tubing and fittings are acid-cleaned polyethylene or Teflon®,
and the inlets and outlets are kept covered except during actual sampling.
Samples are acidified within two weeks in a class 100 trace metal laboratory,
except for chromium samples, which are acidified and extracted within
a hour of collection.
Samples for conventional water quality parameters are collected using
the same apparatus as for trace metals; however, containers are only rinsed
three times, and the "clean hands" procedure is unnecessary.
Water samples are collected for toxicity tests using the same pumping
apparatus as for the collection of the trace organic samples, but are
not filtered. Five gallons of water are collected and placed in ice chests
for transfer at the end of each cruise day to the testing laboratory.
Two field blanks are collected each cruise by filtering (0.45 µm)
water known to be non-toxic from the Bodega Marine Laboratory.
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6.2 Sediment Sampling
Sediment sampling is conducted using a Young-modified van Veen grab with
a surface area of 0.1 m2. The grab is made of stainless
steel, and the jaws and doors are coated with Dykon® (formerly
known as Kynar®) to achieve chemical inertness. All scoops,
buckets, and stirrers used to collect and homogenize sediments are also
constructed of Teflon® or stainless steel coated with Dykon®.
Sediment sampling equipment is thoroughly cleaned prior to each sampling
event. In order to further minimize sample contamination, personnel handling
the sample wear gloves.
A sub-core of sediment is removed for measurement of porewater ammonia.
Then, the top 5 cm of sediment is scooped from each of two replicate
grabs and mixed in a Dykon®-coated bucket to provide a
single composite sample for each station. Between sample grabs, the compositing
bucket is covered with aluminum foil to prevent airborne contamination.
After two sediment samples have been placed into the compositing bucket,
the bucket is taken into the ships cabin and thoroughly mixed to
obtain a uniform, homogeneous mixture. Aliquots are subsequently split
for each analytical laboratory, for archive samples, and for sediment
toxicity tests. The quality of grab samples is ensured by requiring each
sample to satisfy criteria concerning depth of penetration and disturbance
of the sediment within the grab.
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6.3 Benthic Infauna
Benthic infauna samples are comprised of primarily sedentary invertebrate
organisms that burrow in or live on the surface of sediments. One sample
is taken at each of the nine RMP sediment stations with a Ponar grab sampler.
Lead weights are added to or removed from the outside of the grab as appropriate
to the sediment type in order to control depth of penetration. Incomplete
closure of the grab results in rejection of the sample. The retrieved
grab is placed on a stand designed with a stainless steel funnel directed
to a sample bucket. Once the grab has passed acceptance criteria (complete
closure, no evidence of sediment washout through the doors, even distribution
of sediment in the grab, minimum disturbance of the sediment surface,
and minimum overall sediment depth appropriate for the sediment type),
the grab jaws are opened, and the sediment is dumped into a five-gallon
plastic bucket. The sample is then moved to a wash table for sieving through
two screens stacked on top of each other. The top screen has a 1 mm mesh
size, and the smaller screen retains animals in its 0.5 mm mesh. The material
retained in each screen is gently washed into separate, labeled sample
jars. A wash bottle with seawater is used to rinse any material on the
inside screen frame and canning funnel into the sample jar. Any organisms
remaining on the screens are carefully picked off with forceps and placed
in the appropriate sample jars. Jars are taken to the formalin station
where seawater is decanted from the sample jars with 0.25 mm Nitex mesh.
Relcant (isotonic MgCl2) is added to the sample through the
mesh to a level approximately one third higher than the sample level.
The sample is allowed to sit in the relaxant for 15 to 30 minutes, the
relaxant is decanted, and 10% buffered formalin is added to the sample
through the screen lid. As a final step, two to three drops of stain (rose
bengal solution) are added to the sample for ease of organism identification.
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6.4 Bivalve Bioaccumulation Sampling
Generally, bivalves are collected from uncontaminated sites and transplanted
to fifteen stations in the Estuary during the wet season (February through
May) and the dry season (June through September). Contaminant concentrations
in the animals tissues and the animals biological condition
(expressed as the ratio of dry weight and shell cavity volume) are measured
before deployment (referred to as time zero or background samples) and
at the end of the 90-100 day deployment period. Since the RMP sites encompass
a range of salinities, three species of bivalves are used, according to
the expected salinities in each area and the known tolerances of the organisms.
The mussel (Mytilus californianus) is collected from Bodega Head and stored
in running seawater at the Bodega Marine Laboratory until deployment at
the stations west of Carquinez Strait, which are expected to have the
highest salinities. Mytilus californianus will survive short-term exposure
to salinities as low as 5 ppt (Bayne, 1976). Oysters (Crassostrea gigas)
are obtained from Tomales Bay Oyster Company (Marshall, California) and
deployed at moderate-salinity sites closest to Carquinez Strait and in
the extreme South Bay. Crassostrea gigas tolerates salinities as low as
2 ppt.
In 1998, the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea was collected from Lake
Chabot in Alameda County and held in the lake four weeks prior to deployment
to sites with the lowest salinities. The limited quantity of C. fluminea
obtained from Lake Chabot was transplanted to Grizzly Bay during Bivalve
Deployment Cruise #16. Consequently, additional specimens were collected
for analysis on this cruise from the native population in the Sacramento
and the San Joaquin rivers. The native population is scarce and requires
a lot of time to collect. Resident clams were also collected from the
native populations in the Sacramento and the San Joaquin rivers for dry-season
deployment. The transplantation approach with the freshwater clam Corbicula
fluminea has been discontinued on an interim basis, since reference population
from "clean" locations could no longer be found in sufficient
numbers. Corbicula fluminea tolerates salinities from 0 ppt to perhaps
10 ppt (Foe and Knight, 1986). The effects of high, short-term flows of
freshwater on the transplanted bivalves west of Carquinez Strait are minimized
by deploying the bivalves near the bottom where density gradients tend
to maintain higher salinities. All bivalves are kept on ice after collection
and deployed within 24-48 hours.
The condition of animals from the control sites at Lake Chabot (Corbicula
fluminea), Bodega Head (Mytilus californianus), and Tomales Bay (Crassostrea
gigas) was determined at the end of each deployment period in order to
sort out Estuary effects from natural factors affecting bivalve condition.
Survival during deployment was also measured. Composites of tissue were
made from 40-60 individual bivalves from each site before and after deployment
for analyses of trace contaminants.
Within each species, animals of approximately the same size are used.
Mussels are between 49-81 mm shell length, oysters are between 71-149
mm, and clams are 25-36 mm. One-hundred-fifty oysters and 160 mussels
and clams are randomly allocated for deployment at the appropriate sites,
with the same number being used as travel blank (time zero) samples for
analysis of tissue and condition before deployment. At each site, oysters
are divided among five nylon mesh bags, and mussels and clams are divided
among four nylon mesh bags.
Moorings are associated with pilings or other permanent structures. Mooring
installation, bivalve deployment, maintenance, and retrieval are all accomplished
by SCUBA divers.
At each site, a line runs from the bottom of the fixed structure out
to the bivalve mooring, which consists of a large screw (earth anchor)
that is threaded into the bottom. A large subsurface buoy is attached
to the earth anchor by a 1-2 meter-long line. The bivalves (in mesh bags)
are attached to the buoy line, which keeps the bivalves off the bottom
so they are not smothered. In one hundred and fifty individual deployments,
loss of a mooring has occurred on only two occasions, probably due to
being ripped out by a vessel anchor.
The deployed samples are checked approximately half-way through the 90-day
deployment period to ensure consistent exposure. Moorings and nylon bags
are checked for damage and repaired, and fouling organisms are removed.
Upon retrieval, the bags of bivalves are placed into polyethylene bags
and taken to the surface. On the vessel, the number of dead organisms
are noted. Twenty percent of the live organisms are allocated for condition
measurement, and the remainder are equally split for analyses of trace
metal and organic compounds. Bivalves used for trace organic analyses
are rinsed with reagent grade water to remove extraneous material, shucked
using a stainless steel knife (acid-rinsed), and homogenized (until liquefied)
in a combusted mason jar using a Tissumizer or Polytron blender. Bivalves
used in trace element analyses are shucked with stainless steel knives,
gonads are removed, and remaining tissue is rinsed with ultrapure water
and placed in acid cleaned, plastic coated, glass jars. The sample is
then homogenized (until liquefied) using a Brinkmann homogenizer equipped
with a titanium blade.
Based on findings by Stephenson (1992) during the RMP Pilot Program,
bivalve guts are not depurated before homogenization for tissue analyses,
although gonads are removed from organisms for trace metal analyses. Stephenson
(1992) found that, with the exception of lead and selenium, no significant
differences exist in trace metal concentrations between mussels depurated
for 48 hours in clean Granite Canyon seawater before homogenization and
undepurated mussels. However, sediment in bivalve guts may contribute
to the total tissue contaminant concentration.
6.5 Analytical Methods
6.5.1 Conventional Water Quality Parameters
Samples for dissolved nutrients are analyzed using the Lachat QuikChem
800 System Nutrient Autoanalyzer (Ranger and Diamond, Lachat Instruments,
1994). The QuickChem methods used are: 31-114-27-1 for silicates, 31-107-06-1
for ammonia, 31-107-04-1 for nitrate/nitrite, and 31-115-01-3 for phosphate.
Chlorophyll and phaeophytin are measured using a fluorometric technique
with filtered material from 200 mL samples (Parsons et al., 1984). Shipboard
measurements for temperature, salinity, pH, and dissolved oxygen content
are made using a hand-held Solomat 520 C multi-functional chemistry and
water quality monitor. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is measured using
high-temperature catalytic oxidation with a platinum catalyst (Fitzwater
and Martin, 1993). Total suspended solids (TSS) are determined using method
2540D in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater
(Greenberg et al., 1992).
A Sea-Bird SBE19 conductivity, temperature, and depth probe (CTD) is
used to measure water quality parameters at depths throughout the water
column. CTD casts are taken at each site during water and sediment sampling.
At each site, the CTD is lowered to approximately one meter below the
water surface and allowed to equilibrate to ambient temperature for 3
minutes. The CTD is then lowered to the bottom at approximately 0.15 meters
per second, and raised. Only data from the down cast are kept. Data are
downloaded onboard the ship, and processed in the laboratory using software
supplied by Sea-Bird.
The CTD measures temperature, conductivity, pressure, dissolved oxygen,
and backscatter at a sampling rate of two scans per second. These data
are edited and averaged into 0.25 m depth bins during processing. Also
during processing, salinity (based on conductivity measurements), oxygen,
time, and depth (based on pressure) are calculated. Although the CTD data
are not detailed in this report, SFEI maintains these data in its database.
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6.5.2 Trace Elements
In water, total and dissolved (0.45 µm filtered) concentrations of mercury,
arsenic, selenium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead, silver, and zinc are
measured. Mercury, arsenic, and selenium samples are obtained from the
same field sample. The mercury sub-samples are photo-oxidated with the
addition of bromium chloride, and quantified using a cold-vapor atomic
fluorescence technique. Arsenic and selenium are analyzed by hydride-generation
atomic absorption with cryogenic trap preconcentration based on a method
described in Liang et al. (1994) and Cercelius et al. (1986).
Chromium samples are collected separately. The suspended particulates
undergo hydrofluoric acid digestion, and the dissolved chromium is co-precipitated
with a ferrous hydroxide scavenger (Cranston and Murray, 1978). Chromium
is quantified by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS).
The remaining trace elements in water are measured using the APDC/DDDC
organic extraction and preconcentration method (Bruland et al., 1985;
Flegal et al., 1991) and then quantified by GFAAS.
Results for cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead, silver, and zinc
are reported by the laboratory in weight/weight units (µg/kg). For use
in this report, those values are reported as µg/L, without taking account
of the difference in density between Estuary water and distilled water.
This difference was not taken into account because it is much less than
the precision of the data, which was on the order of 10%. In some instances,
dissolved metal concentrations are reported as higher than total (dissolved
+ particulate) metal concentrations. This is due to expected analytical
variation in the methods of analysis, particularly at concentrations near
the detection limits. Such results should be interpreted as no difference
between dissolved and total concentrations, or that the total fraction
of metals is in the dissolved phase.
Sediments are digested with aqua regia to obtain "near-total"
concentrations of aluminum, silver, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, manganese,
nickel, lead, and zinc (Flegal et al., 1981). The metals are quantified
by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) or
by ICP-MS. The method chosen for RMP sediment analysis is comparable to
standard EPA procedures (Tetra Tech, 1986), but does not decompose the
silicate matrix of the sediment. Because of this, any element tightly
bound as a naturally occurring silicate may not be fully recovered.
Bivalve tissue samples are digested with aqua regia to obtain near-total
concentrations of trace elements similar to techniques used in the California
State Mussel Watch Program (e.g., Flegal et al., 1981; Smith et al., 1986)
and consistent with the RMP Pilot Program (Stephenson, 1992). The trace
metals are quantified by ICP-AES or ICP-MS. Hydride generation coupled
with atomic absorption spectroscopy is used to quantify arsenic. Mercury
is quantified using a cold-vapor atomic fluorescence technique, and selenium
using the methods of Cutter (1986). Butyltins are measured following NOAA
Status and Trends Mussel Watch Project methods described in NOAA Technical
Memorandum NOS/ORCA/CMBAD71 vol. IV (NOAA, 1993). This technique involves
extracting the sample with hexane and the chelating agent tropolone and
measuring the butyltin residues by capillary gas chromatography. Concentrations
are expressed in total tin per gram of tissue dry weight.
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6.5.3 Trace Organics
For water samples, each of the two resin columns (each sample is contained
in two parallel resin columns) and filters containing the particulate
fraction are spiked with extraction surrogates. In 1998, electron capture
detector (ECD) surrogates consisted of PCB 207 for the first fraction,
and Polychloronitorobenzene (PCNB) for fractions 2 and 3. The mass spectral
detector (MSD) surrogate consisted of deuterated acenaphthalene. The XAD
columns are eluted in reverse with methanol and methylene chloride in
a method similar to the filter cartridges. The separate extracts are then
combined and separated into three fractions. Extraction methods are based
upon standard EPA and Axys extraction protocols.
The extracts are subjected to Florisil column chromatography resulting
in three fractions, a PCB/aliphatic, a pesticide/aromatic fraction, and
a polar third fraction, which contains diazinon and other polar pesticides.
Chlorinated hydrocarbons (CH) are analyzed on a Hewlett Packard 6890 capillary
gas chromatograph utilizing electron capture detectors (GC/ECD). A single
2 µL splitless injection is directed onto two 60 m x 0.25 mm columns
of different polarity (DB-17 and DB-5) using a y-splitter to provide two-dimensional
confirmation of each analyte. The quantitation internal standards utilized
for the CH analysis are dibromo-octafluorobiphenyl (DOB) for fraction
1, and PCB 209 for fractions 2 and 3. Analyte concentrations are corrected
for surrogate losses prior to reporting. PAHs are quantified in the F-2
fraction by analysis on a Hewlett-Packard 6890 capillary gas chromatograph
equipped with a 5971A mass spectral detector (GC/MS). A 2 µL splitless
injection is chromatographed on a DB-5 column and analyzed in a selected
ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The quantitation internal standard utilized
for the PAH analysis when samples are at 100 µL is hexamethyl benzene
(HMB). Dibromo-octafluorobiphenyl is used as an internal standard for
diazinon.
Sediment samples are analyzed based on the methods followed by NOAAs
Status and Trends Program. Samples are extracted according to EPA Method
3545 (acclerated solvent extraction) using elevated temperature (100 ºC)
and pressure (1500-2000 pso) to achieve analyte recoveries equivalent
to those from Soxhlet extraction, using less solvent and taking significantly
less time. This extraction procedure is applicable to the extraction of
all trace organic compounds of interest to the RMP. Surrogate standards
are added prior to extraction to account for methodological analyte losses.
ECD surrogates consist of DOBFB (Dibromoctatfluorbiphenyl), PCB 103, and
PCB 198. The extract is concentrated and purified using a combined silica/alumina
column purification to remove matrix interferences. Internal standard
solutions are tetrachloro-m-xylene (TCMX) and dibutyl chlorendate (DBC).
Chlorinated hydrocarbons are quantified in sediment extracts via high-resolution
capillary gas chromatography using GC/ECD. Dual-column confirmation on
30-m long, 0.25-mm internal diameter fused silica capillary columns with
DB-5 and DB-17 bonded phase is conducted.
Tissue samples are homogenized and macerated, and the eluate is dried
with sodium sulfate, concentrated, and purified using a combination of
EPA Method 3611 alumina column purification and EPA Method 3630 silica
gel purification to remove matrix interferences. PAHs and their alkylated
homologues in both sediment and tissue extracts are quantified by GC/MS
in the SIM (Selected Ion Monitoring) with a temperature-programmable gas
chromatograph with a 30-m long, 0.32-mm internal diameter fused silica
capillary column with DB-5MS bonded phase. Surrogates for PAHs consist
of naphthalene-d8, acenaphthene-d10, phenanthrene-d10, chrysene-d12, and
perylene-d12. In 1998, PCBs in tissue are quantified according to EPA
Method 1668 (isotope dilution techniques) using high-resolution gas GC/MS.
Pesticides in tissue are quantified via high-resolution capillary gas
chromatography using GC/ECD. Dual-column confirmation on 30-m long, 0.25-mm
internal diameter fused silica capillary columns with DB-5 and DB-17 bonded
phase is conducted on tissue samples also.
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6.5.4 Aquatic Bioassays
Water column toxicity is evaluated using a 48-hour bivalve embryo development
test and a seven-day growth test using the estuarine mysid Mysidopsis
bahia. The bivalve embryo development test is performed according to ASTM
standard method E 724-89 (ASTM, 1991). The mysid test is based on EPA
test method 1007. Larval Mytilus spp. are used in both wet- and dry-season
sampling periods. The mysid growth and survival test consists of an exposure
of 7-day old Mysidopsis bahia juveniles to different concentrations of
Estuary water in a static system during the period of egg development
and is used during both sampling periods. Appropriate salinity adjustments
are made for Estuary water from sampling stations with salinities below
the test species optimal ranges. Reference toxicant tests with copper
chloride and potassium dichromate are performed for the bivalve and mysid
tests, respectively. These tests are used to determine if the responses
of the test organisms are relatively consistent over time.
The salinities of the ambient samples and the control/diluent (Evian
spring water) are adjusted to 5 ppt using artificial sea salts (Tropic
Marin). The test concentrations are 100%, 50%, and control, each with
eight replicates, and with 20 larvae per replicate. Waste, dead larvae,
excess food, and 80% of the test water are siphoned from the test chambers
daily, and general water chemistry parameters of dissolved oxygen, pH,
and salinity are recorded before and after each water change.
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6.5.5 Sediment Quality Characteristics
Sediment size fractions are determined with a grain-size analyzer based
on x-ray transmission (Sedigraph 5100). Total organic carbon is analyzed
according to the standard method for the Coulometrics CM 150 Analyzer
made by UIC, Inc. This method involves measurements of transmitted light
through a cell. The amount of transmitted light is related to the amount
of carbon dioxide evolved from a combusted sample. Spectrophotometric
analyses of sulfides in sediment porewater are performed using a method
adapted from Fonselius (1985) with variations from Standard Methods (APHA,
1985).
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6.5.6 Sediment Bioassays
The RMP uses two sediment bioassays: a ten-day acute mortality test using
the estuarine amphipod Eohaustorius estuarius exposed to whole sediment
using ASTM method E 1367 (ASTM, 1992), and a sediment elutriate test where
larval bivalves are exposed to the material dissolved from whole sediment
in a water extract using ASTM method E 724-89 (ASTM, 1991). Elutriate
solutions are prepared by adding 100 g of sediment to 400 mL of Granite
Canyon seawater, shaken for 10 seconds, allowed to settle for 24 hours,
and carefully decanted (EPA and COE, 1977; Tetra Tech, 1986). Larval mussels
(Mytilus spp.) are used in both sampling periods, with percent normally
developed larvae as the measurement endpoint.
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6.5.7 Bivalve Condition and Survival
The condition of bivalves is a measure of their general health following
exposure to Estuary water for 90-100 days. Measurements are made on subsamples
of specimens before deployment and on the deployed specimens following
exposure. Dry weight (without the shell) and the volume of the shell cavity
of each bivalve is measured. Bivalve tissue is removed from the specimens
and dried at 60 ºC in an oven for 48 hours before weighing. Shell
cavity volume is calculated by subtracting shell volume of water displaced
by a whole live bivalve less the volume of water displaced by the shell
alone. The condition index is calculated by taking the ratio of tissue
dry weight and the shell cavity volume.
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