高被引论文摘要

郭卫东，章小明，杨逸萍，等

高被引论文摘要

被引频次：296

中国近岸海域潜在性富营养化程度的评价

郭卫东，章小明，杨逸萍，等

根据中国近岸海域的富营养化普遍受营养盐限制的特征，提出了潜在性富营养化的概念，并在此基础上提出了一种新的富营养化分级标准及相应的评价模式。运用该模式分别评价了厦门海域及中国近海的富养化程度。结果表明，厦门东海域尚处于贫营养水平，而西海域则为磷限制潜在性富营养水平；与厦门西海域相近，中国近海主要河口、海湾总体上处于磷限制或磷中等限制潜在性富营养水平。

营养盐；富营养化；评价模式；中国近岸海域

来源出版物：台湾海峡, 1998, 17(1): 64-70

被引频次：178

“我国近海有害赤潮发生的生态学、海洋学机制及预测防治”研究进展

周名江，朱明远

摘要：介绍国家重点基础研究发展计划项目（“973”项目）“我国近海有害赤潮发生的生态学、海洋学机制及预测防治”的研究背景和主要研究内容，即以我国赤潮高发区东海作为主要研究海域，重点开展重要有害赤潮种的生物学特征及生态适应策略研究；近海赤潮高发区有害赤潮与富营养化的关系研究；近海赤潮高发区有害赤潮生消关键物理过程、数值模拟与预测研究；有害赤潮的危害机理及防治机理研究等。简要报道了项目通过现场综合航次获得的东海大规模赤潮发生前后水文、化学和生物学等诸多要素的变化特征，以及结合实验室模拟研究，在探索重要赤潮生物种群变化的动力学过程及其调控机理等方面取得的进展。另外，对项目的研究前景进行了展望。

关键词：有害赤潮；东海；生态学；海洋学

来源出版物：地球科学进展, 2006, 21(7): 673-679

被引频次：113

长江口海域浮游植物分布及其与径流的关系

吴玉霖，傅月娜，张永山

摘要：用 2001—2002年4个季度月航次调查资料，研究了长江口海域浮游植物的分布及其与长江径流的关系，共鉴定浮游植物154种（含变种和变型），其中属硅藻类的有113种，甲藻类36种，近岸低盐性的中肋骨条藻（Skeletonema costatum）是最重要的优势种。夏季浮游植物密集区位于长江口海域的北部及靠近浙江近海的上升流区，春季和秋季密集区出现在调查区的南部。浮游植物数量高峰出现在夏季（平均为927×106个/m3）；冬季（枯水期）数量最少（平均为291×105个/m3），且分布相对较均匀，显示出该海域浮游植物种类组成与数量的季节变化同长江径流量有明显的关系。由于大量营养盐被长江径流携带入海，造成河口区严重富营养化，这为赤潮生物大量孳生提供了适宜的环境条件，长江口海域已成为我国沿海赤潮多发区之一。

关键词：长江口海域；浮游植物；长江径流

来源出版物：海洋与湖沼, 2004, 35(3): 246-251

被引频次：109

近岸海域底质重金属生态风险评价初步研究

甘居利，贾晓平，林钦，等

摘要：根据金属元素在地壳、海水、近海沉积物和海洋生物体内的丰度，吸收金属毒性实验研究成果，也考虑了沉积物内金属赋存形态对生物体吸收金属的影响，以及海洋生态系统对金属毒性的敏感程度，初步建立了近岸渔业海域沉积物重金属的生态风险评价指标体系。应用该体系对南海东北部红海湾沉积物重金属的生态风险性作试评价，所得结论同其它研究结果互为补充和借鉴，并能为南海区半封闭型海湾规模化养殖的环境容量研究提供有益的参考。

关键词：重金属；潜在生态风险；海洋生态系统；近岸沉积物

来源出版物：水产学报, 2000, 24(6): 533-538

被引频次：95

春、秋季东、黄海营养盐的分布变化特征及营养结构

高生泉，林以安，金明明，等

摘要：利用2000年10—11月和2001年3—4月的调查资料，分析讨论了春、秋季东、黄海营养盐的分布变化特征及营养结构状况。结果表明：该海域表层营养盐高值主要出现在长江冲淡水影响区和江浙近海海域，低值出现于东海陆架区和黄海西北部，黄海中部水域春、秋季因温跃层强弱不同表层营养盐含量差别较大。东、黄海海域春、秋季表层水N/P、Si/N和Si/P值（除秋季黄海北部局部水域N/P值小于10外）均远高于Redfield比值。春季东海海域N/P、Si/N和Si/P值明显高于黄海海域，并高于秋季；秋季黄海海域N/P、Si/N和Si/P值要高于东海海域，变化也大于春季。在强温跃层存在期间和浮游生物旺发季节，表层水域N/P、Si/N和Si/P值原本高的区域往往进一步升高，而温跃层较弱或浮游植物生长繁殖能力较弱的季节，表层水域N/P、Si/N和Si/P值将略有降低。东、黄海水域浮游植物光合作用受N限制的可能性极小，绝大部分水域主要是受P限制，Si的含量普遍较高，它不可能成为限制因子。长江冲淡水区和江浙近海海域过量的N及高N/P值特性且持续升高的趋势可能是近20年来这一地区富营养化程度加剧、赤潮频发的主要原因。

关键词：营养盐；分布特征；营养结构；东海；黄海

来源出版物：东海海洋, 2004, 22(4): 38-50

被引频次：92

长江口及其邻近海域沉积物重金属分布特征和环境质量评价

盛菊江，范德江，杨东方，等

摘要：利用等离子质谱仪（ICP-MS）测定了长江口及其邻近海域表层沉积物细颗粒组分（＜63 μm）的重金属，平均含量为As 10.47 mg·kg-1、Cd 0.19 mg·kg-1、Cu 37.68 mg·kg-1、Pb 36.86 mg·kg-1、Cr 97.80 mg·kg-1、Zn 98.65 mg·kg-1。空间分布上，As、Cd和Cu含量随着离岸距离的增大有递减的趋势，Pb、Cr和Zn含量变化不显著，调查海区南部海域的重金属含量普遍比北部海域高。单因子污染评价显示，调查海域底质局部已经受到了As、Cu、Pb、Cr和Zn的中度污染，而Cd的影响较轻微。依据沉积物质量基准（SQGs）对本区沉积物环境质量评价表明，大部分站位As、Cu和Cr 3种重金属的含量位于效应浓度低值（ERL）和效应浓度中值（ERM）之间，只是偶尔产生不利的生物效应；Cd、Pb、Zn 3种重金属的含量都低于ERL或大部分站位低于ERL，几乎不会产生不利的生物效应。对底质综合环境质量进行的因子分析和系统聚类分析结果显示，长江口外和杭州湾外近海海域的综合底质环境较差，应引起重视。

关键词：长江口；表层沉积物；重金属；环境评价

来源出版物：环境科学, 2008, 29(9): 2405-2412

被引频次：81

我国沿海水域赤潮灾害及其防治对策

关道明，战秀文

摘要：根据近几年我国海域赤潮监测监视结果，针对海洋赤潮灾害频繁发生，影响范围不断扩大，经济损失越发严重的问题，提出了加强沿海城市污染治理，防治和减轻海洋赤潮灾害的对策：加强赤潮监测、监视和预防控制体系建设；加大沿海城市近岸海水富营养化的控制力度；减缓海上养殖业自身对海洋生态环境的影响；建立良好的海洋生态环境。

关键词：海洋环境；赤潮灾害；防治对策

来源出版物：海洋环境科学, 2003, 22(2): 60-63

被引频次：74

黄河三角洲生物多样性保护与可持续利用的研究

贾文泽，田家怡，潘怀剑

摘要：根据1996—1998年对黄河三角洲环境质量、生物多样性等进行的全面、系统的调查与监测结果。重点研究了该区域大气、河流、湖泊、水库、浅海滩涂环境质量,海洋生物多样性、淡水生物多样性、陆生和海岛高等植物多样性、陆栖动物多样性与特点，分析了其破坏状况和原因，提出了生物多样性保护对策和可持续利用途径。黄河三角洲生物多样性调查研究结果显示：近海海域共鉴定出浮游植物116种、浮游动物79种、底栖动物222种、潮间带动物192种、鱼类112种，其他重要海洋动物11种；淡水水域共鉴定出浮游植物291种、浮游动物144种、底栖动物69种、鱼类102种；陆域和海岛共鉴定出高等植物608种、无脊椎动物922种、脊椎动物325种，有4种动物为山东新记录种。该区域湿地植被群丛多样，鸟类多样性丰富，重点保护鸟类种类多、种群数量大。

关键词：黄河三角洲；生物多样性；保护；可持续利用

来源出版物：环境科学研究, 2002, 15(4): 35-53

被引频次：46

瓯江口三维潮流和盐度数值模拟研究

姜恒志，沈永明，汪守东，等

摘要：环境流体动力学模型（EFDC）集水动力模块、泥沙输运模块、污染物运移模块和水质预测模块一体，可以用于河流、湖泊、水库、湿地和近岸海域一维、二维和三维物理和化学过程的模拟。为了研究多岛屿、地形及流态复杂的瓯江口海区的水动力过程，本文将EFDC模型运用于该海区潮流场和盐度场的数值模拟。对比实测资料校核了模型参数，把模拟结果和实测潮位、流速和盐度进行了比较，吻合较好，并对瓯江口海区的潮流场以及盐度场进行了详细分析，发现近岸和江口及乐清湾大部分区域往复流明显，离岸越远旋转流越明显，河口处盐度在垂线分布上呈强混合型。结果表明：该模式成功复演了瓯江口海区的潮流和盐度变化过程，可以用于模拟和分析河口及近海海域的动力场。

关键词：潮流；盐度；数值模拟；EFDC

来源出版物：水动力学研究进展, 2009, 24(1): 63-70

被引频次：46

近岸海域污染物迁移转化的三维水质动力学模型

沈永明，郑永红，吴修广

摘要：以研究近岸海域环境中多组分的水质动力学模型为目标，在分析近海环境中各种物理、化学和生物过程的基础上，针对这种多因素作用下的复杂过程，将污染物扩散输移的湍流模型与多组分污染物的生物、化学转化模型相结合，建立了统一考虑物理、化学和生物过程综合作用的近岸海域多组分三维水质动力学模型，模型可同时模拟水温、盐度、悬浮固体、大肠杆菌、生化需氧量、溶解氧、有机氮、氨氮、硝酸盐氮、亚硝酸盐氮、藻类、腐植质以及营养物质氮、磷、硅等多个水质状态变量及其相互作用，成功地应用于近岸海域的水质模拟。为海域环境影响评价、环境规划、环境管理、污染控制及综合防治等提供科学依据和可靠的手段。

关键词：近岸海域环境；多组分；污染物；物理、生化过程；水质动力学模型

来源出版物：自然科学进展, 2004, 14(6): 694-699

被引频次：568

来源出版物：Ecotoxicology, 1996, 5(4): 253-278

被引频次：466

Origin of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coastal marine sediments: Case studies in Cotonou (Benin) and Aquitaine (France) areas

Soclo, HH; Garrigues, P; Ewald, M

Abstract:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) were identified and quantified in recent sediments of the Cotonou coastal zones (Benin) in the total concentration range 25-1450 ng·g-1, while the Aquitaine sediment samples (France) exhibited total PAH concentrations in the range 4-855 ng·g-1. The highest contents of PAHs were found in the harbours, as well in Cotonou as in the Aquitaine region, with the maximum values in the Cotonou harbour. However, the PAH concentrations were comparable with those of slightly contaminated zones. Good correlations observed between a certain number of pairs of isomer PAH concentrations allowed to identify six origin molecular indices that were used to identify the PAH contamination sources in the studied sampling stations: Phe/ An, Flt/Py, Chry/BaA, LMW/HMW, Per/Sigma(PAH), and Per/Sigma(penta-aromatics). In general, the Cotonou lagoon sampling sites were contaminated mainly by petrogenic PAHs, due to petroleum trade at individual scale along the lagoon, and also waste oils from mechanics shops; the Aquitaine samples were polluted by pyrolytic origin PAHs. Interferences of rather petrogenic and pyrolytic PAH contaminations,pere noticed in the harbours due to petroleum products deliveries and fuel combustion emissions from the ships staying alongside the quays. Diagenetic origin of perylene was confirmed in this study, but its possible formation by combustion of organic matter was also considered because of the relatively higher concentrations of this PAH in the harbours of Cotonou and of Aquitaine region sediment samples.

Keywords:PAH; sediments; origin indices; lagoon of Cotonou; Estuary of Gironde; Arcachon Bay

来源出版物：Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2000, 40(5): 387-396

被引频次：413

Couplings of watersheds and coastal waterssources and consequences of nutrient enrichment in waquoit bay, massachusetts

Valiela, I; Foreman, K; Lamontagne, M; et al.

Abstract:Human activities on coastal watersheds provide the major sources of nutrients entering shallow coastal ecosystems. Nutrient loadings from watersheds are the most widespread factor that alters structure and function of receiving aquatic ecosystems. To investigate this coupling of land to marine systems, we are studying a series of subwatersheds of Waquoit Bay that differ in degree of urbanization and hence are exposed to widely different nutrient loading rates. The subwatersheds differ in the number of septic tanks and the relative acreage of forests. In the area of our study, groundwater is the major mechanism that transports nutrients to coastal waters. Although there is some attenuation of nutrient concentrations within the aquifer or at the sediment-water interface, in urbanized areas there are significant increases in the nutrient content of groundwater arriving at the shore's edge. The groundwater seeps or flows through the sediment-water boundary, and sufficient groundwaterborne nutrients (nitrogen in particular) traverse the sediment-water boundary to cause significant changes in the aquatic ecosystem. These loading-dependent alterations include increased nutrients in water, greater primary production by phytoplankton, and increased macroalgal biomass and growth (mediated by a suite of physiological responses to abundance of nutrients). The increased macroalgal biomass dominates the bay ecosystem through second- or third-order effects such as alterations of nutrientstatus of water columns and increasing frequency of anoxic events. The increases in seaweeds have decreased the areas covered by eelgrass habitats. The change in habitat type, plus the increased frequency of anoxic events, change the composition of the benthic fauna. The data make evident the importance of bottom-up control in shallow coastal food webs. The coupling of land to sea by groundwaterborne nutrient transport is mediated by a complex series of steps; the cascade of processes make it unlikely to find a one-to-one relation between land use and conditions in the aquatic ecosystem. Study of the process and synthesis by appropriate models may provide a way to deal with the complexities of the coupling.

来源出版物：Estuaries, 1992, 15(4): 443-457

被引频次：354

Variations in the light absorption coefficients of phytoplankton, nonalgal particles, and dissolved organic matter in coastal waters around Europe

Babin, M; Stramski, D; Ferrari, GM; et al.

Abstract:We measured the absorption properties of phytoplankton, nonalgal particles (NAP), and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) at about 350 stations in various coastal waters around Europe including the English Channel, Adriatic Sea, Baltic Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea. For comparison, we also collected data in the open ocean waters of North Atlantic. The exponential slope of the CDOM absorption spectrum varied within a narrow range around 0.0176 nm-1(SD=0.0020 nm-1). When data from all the regions were considered altogether, the relationship between phytoplankton absorption and chlorophyll concentration was generally similar to the one previously established for open oceanic waters. Our coastal data, however, show that significant departures from the general trend may occur due to peculiar pigment composition and cell size. In some coastal areas, high phaeopigment concentrations gave rise to especially high blue-to-red ratio of phytoplankton absorption. The NAP absorption covaried with the particle dry weight. Most absorption spectra of these particles were well described by an exponential function with a slope averaging 0.0123 nm-1(SD=0.0013 nm-1). In some highly turbid waters, the spectra exhibited a signature possibly associated with iron oxides. In the Baltic Sea, NAP absorption systematically showed lower values at wavelengths shorter than 440 nm than predicted from the fitted exponential function. Overall, the variability in the absorption properties of European coastal waters showed some consistent patterns despite the high diversity of the examined waters. Distinct features were identified in the phytoplankton and NAP components. An absorption budget is presented and parameterizations are proposed.

Keywords:absorption; particles; CDOM; phytoplankton; optics

来源出版物：Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans, 2003, 108(C7): 1-4

被引频次：312

Seasonal and spatial variability of bacterial and archaeal assemblages in the coastal waters near Anvers Island, Antarctica

Murray, AE; Preston, CM; Massana, R; et al.

Abstract:A previous report of high levels of members of the domain Archaea in Antarctic coastal waters prompted us to investigate the ecology of Antarctic planktonic prokaryotes, rRNA hybridization techniques and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of the bacterial V3 region were used to study variation in Antarctic picoplankton assemblages. In Anvers Island nearshore waters during late winter to early spring, the amounts of archaeal rRNA ranged from 17.1 to 3.6% of the total picoplankton rRNA in 1996 and from 16.0 to 1.0% of the total rRNA in 1995, Offshore in the Palmer Basin, the levels of archaeal rRNA throughout the water column were higher (average, 24% of the total rRNA) during the same period in 1996. The archaeal rRNA levels in nearshore waters followed a highly seasonal pattern and markedly decreased during the austral summer at two stations. There was a significant negative correlation between archaeal rRNA levels and phytoplankton levels las inferred from chlorophyll a concentrations) in nearshore surface waters during the early spring of 1995 and during an 8-month period in 1996 and 1997,in situhybridization experiments revealed that 5% to 14% of DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole)-stained cells were archaeal, corresponding to 0.9 × 104to 2.7 × 104archaeal cells per mi, in late winter 1996 samples. Analysis of bacterial ribosomal DNA fragments by DGGE revealed that the assemblage composition may reflect changes in water column stability, depth, or season. The data indicatethat changes in Antarctic seasons are accompanied by significant shifts in the species composition of bacterioplankton assemblages and by large decreases in the relative proportion of archaeal rRNA in the nearshore water column.

来源出版物：Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 1998, 64(7): 2585-2595

被引频次：306

Changes in nutrient structure of river-dominated coastal waters: stoichiometric nutrient balance and its consequences

Justic, D; Rabalais, NN; Turner, RE

Abstract:We present an analysis of extensive nutrient data sets from two river-dominated coastal ecosystems, the northern Adriatic Sea and the northern Gulf of Mexico, demonstrating significant changes in surface nutrient ratios over a period of 30 years. The silicon:nitrogen ratios have decreased, indicating increased potential for silicon limitation. The nitrogen:phosphorus and the silicon: phosphorus ratios have also changed substantially, and the coastal nutrient structures have become more balanced and potentially less limiting for phytoplankton growth. It is likely that net phytoplankton productivity increased under these conditions and was accompanied by increasing bottom water hypoxia and major changes in community species composition. These findings support the hypothesis that increasing coastal eutrophication to date may be associated with stoichiometric nutrient balance, due to increasing potential for silicon limitation and decreasing potential for nitrogen and phosphorus limitation. On a worldwide basis, coastal ecosystems adjacent to rivers influenced by anthropogenic nutrient loads may experience similar alterations.

Keywords:nutrients; eutrophication; hypoxia; PO river; Mississippi river; Adriatic sea; gulf of México

来源出版物：Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, 1995, 40(3): 339-356

被引频次：286

Atmospheric correction of SeaWiFS imagery for turbid coastal and inland waters

Ruddick, KG; Ovidio, F; Rijkeboer, M; et al.

Abstract:The standard SeaWiFS atmospheric correction algorithm, designed for open ocean water, has been extended for use over turbid coastal and inland waters. Failure of the standard algorithm over turbid waters can be attributed to invalid assumptions of zero water-leaving radiance for the near-infrared bands at 765 and 865 nm. In the present study these assumptions are replaced by the assumptions of spatial homogeneity of the 765:865-nm ratios for aerosol reflectance and for water-leaving reflectance. These two ratios are imposed as calibration parameters after inspection of the Rayleigh-corrected reflectance scatterplot. The performance of the new algorithm is demonstrated for imagery of Belgian coastal waters and yields physically realistic water-leaving radiance spectra. A preliminary comparison with in situ radiance spectra fbr the Dutch Lake Markermeer shows significant improvement over the standard atmospheric correction algorithm. An analysis is made of the sensitivity of results to the choice of calibration parameters, and perspectives for application of the method to other sensors are briefly discussed.

来源出版物：Applied Optics, 2000, 39(6): 897-912

被引频次：273

Global change and eutrophication of coastal waters

Rabalais, Nancy N.; Turner, R. Eugene; Diaz, Robert J; et al.

Abstract:The cumulative effects of global change, including climate change, increased population, and more intense industrialization and agri-business, will likely continue and intensify the course of eutrophication in estuarine and coastal waters. As a result, the symptoms of eutrophication, such as noxious and harmful algal blooms, reduced water quality, loss of habitat and natural resources, and severity of hypoxia (oxygen depletion) and its extent in estuaries and coastal waters will increase. Global climate changes will likely result in higher water temperatures, stronger stratification, and increased inflows of freshwater and nutrients to coastal waters in many areas of the globe. Both past experience and model forecasts suggest that these changes will result in enhanced primary production, higher phytoplankton and macroalgal standing stocks, and more frequent or severe hypoxia. The negative consequences of increased nutrient loading and stratification may be partly, but only temporarily, compensated by stronger or more frequent tropical stormactivity in low and mid-latitudes. In anticipation of the negative effects of global change, nutrient loadings to coastal waters need to be reduced now, so that further water quality degradation is prevented.

来源出版物：Ices Journal of Marine Science, 2002, 287(19): 2469-2475

被引频次：257

Asia-Pacific mussel watch: Monitoring contamination of persistent organochlorine compounds in coastal waters of Asian countries

Monirith, I; Ueno, D; Takahashi, S; et al.

Abstract:Contamination of persistent organochlorines (OCs) such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), DDT and its metabolites (DDTs), HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane) isomers (HCHs), chlordane compounds (CHLs), and HCB (hexachlorobenzene) were examined in mussels collected from coastal waters of Asian countries such as Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Far East Russia, Singapore, and Vietnam in 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2001 to elucidate the contamination status, distribution and possible pollution sources and to assess the risks on aquatic organisms and human. OCs were detected in all mussels collected from all the sampling sites investigated. Considerable residue levels of p,p’-DDT and alpha-HCH were found in mussels and the concentrations of DDTs and HCHs found in mussels from Asian developing countries were higher than those in developed nations suggesting present usage of DDTs and HCHs along the coastal waters of Asian developing countries. On the other hand, lower concentrations of PCBs detected in mussels from Asian developing countries than those in developed countries indicate that PCBs contamination in mussels is strongly related to industrial and activities. To our knowledge, this is a first comprehensive report on monitoring OCs pollution in the Asia-Pacific region.

Keywords:organochlorine compounds (OCs); mussels; Asia-Pacific region; developing countries; developed nations

来源出版物：Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2003, 46(3): 281-300

Large groundwater inputs to coastal waters revealed by226Ra enrichments

Moore, WS

The flow of ground water directly into the coastal ocean has been studied previously by in situ measurements, seep meters and diffusion gradient models'. Although these techniques provide ample evidence that such flows occur, they do not provide a means of quantifying the groundwater flux on a regional scale. Here I report large enrichments of226Ra in coastal waters of the South Atlantic Eight, and demonstrate that groundwater discharge is the main source of the226Ra surplus. Using226Ra data for brackish ground waters with estimates of residence times of nearshore waters, I conclude that the groundwater flux to these coastal waters must be about 40% of the river-water flux during the study period. Besides Ra, other metals, nutrients and organic compounds are expected to be enriched in brackish ground waters, so these findings require an upward revision of terrestrial fluxes of dissolved materials to these coastal waters, and perhaps a re-evaluation of such fluxes to the global ocean. These fluxes may be sensitive to hydrological factors, groundwater usage, dredging and sea-level change.来源出版物：Nature, 1996, 380(6575): 612-614被引频次：498Development and evaluation of sediment quality guidelines for Florida coastal watersMacDonald, DD; Carr, RS; Calder, FD; et al.Abstract:The weight-of-evidence approach to the development of sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) was modified to support the derivation of biological effects-based SQGs for Florida coastal waters. Numerical SQGs were derived for 34 substances, including nine trace metals, 13 individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), three groups of PAHs, total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), seven pesticides and one phthalate ester. For each substance, a threshold effects level (TEL) and a probable effects level (PEL) was calculated. These two values defined three ranges of chemical concentrations, including those that were (1) rarely, (2) occasionally or (3) frequently associated with adverse effects. The SQGs were then evaluated to determine their degree ofagreement with other guidelines (an indicator of comparability) and the percent incidence of adverse effects within each concentration range (an indicator of reliability). The guidelines also were used to classify (using a dichotomous system: toxic, with one or more exceedances of the PELs or non-toxic, with no exceedances of the TELs) sediment samples collected from various locations in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, The accuracy of these predictions was then evaluated using the results of the biological tests that were performed on the same sediment samples. The resultant SQGs were demonstrated to provide practical, reliable and predictive tools for assessing sediment quality in Florida and elsewhere in the southeastern portion of the United States.

sediment quality guidelines; contaminants; biological effects; marine; estuarine