Differences in the degree of toxicity were shown by several different tests at each location. Those results reflected differences in sensitivity to toxicants and indicated that the nature of the toxicity may be different for different organisms or life stages. Thus, it is desirable and common to base assessments on several different species and life stages. There is no question about the quality of the data. The sampling and analyses were conducted by outstanding laboratories and should be interpreted as presented.
Toxicity tests are standardized procedures that indicate the potential for ecological effects.
Laboratory toxicity testing of field-collected sediments is one of the tools used in coastal assessments, along with measurements of sediment contamination, bioaccumulation by organisms, and biological community assessments. The essay is very useful in raising awareness about sediment toxicity and its possible sources. Expanded summaries of sources that are suspected of contributing to the observed toxicity could be very useful in raising awareness of the linkages between human activity and toxicity, and in prioritizing regulatory or remedial actions. Future studies might consider using organisms in the tests that may provide a stronger linkage to actual impacts in the bays and estuaries. Amphipods are common inhabitants of most bays and estuaries and provide a direct measure of potential impacts in those locations.