As such, they are linked energetically to the natural world, receiving input of ambient sunlight and nutrients, and are colonized by larval organisms entering the supply water. The system can be assembled by two technicians in about 5 working days, and operation during experiments requires one full-time technician. Typical experiments run from 1 to 6 months. Data produced relate to effects of pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, sewage effluents, antifouling coatings, elevated temperatures, altered salinities, contaminated sediments, hydrocarbons, and miscellaneous hazardous wastes. Typical measures of pollutant effects on organisms include growth rates, survival, abundance, reproduction, and toxin bioaccumulation.
Tests are site-specific, using organisms and water actually derived from the study site of interest.
The specific characteristics of biota and water quality can be important factors controlling the degree to which organisms are stressed by pollutants. Organisms are maintained for long time periods under near-natural conditions, providing a realistic view of their response to pollutants. Processes such as toxin bioaccumulation will occur at rates close to those found in the field. The response of a wide spectrum of species of biota to a pollutant can be determined in one experiment. Funding for development and operational testing of this system was provided by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command and David Taylor Research Center.