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Sensitivity of Benthic Biota and Toxicity of Cadmium, Cobalt, Copper, Nickel, Lead, and Zinc Mixtures in Near-Surface Porewater in the Upper Columbia River Basin, Washington, United States, and British Columbia, Canada

Scientific Investigations Report 2025-5001
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255001

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Abstract

Relative sensitivities and responses of juvenile white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), Hyalella azteca, two families of mayfly (Ephemerellidae, Heptageniidae), one family of caddisfly (Brachycentridae), and a natural community of benthic macroinvertebrates (BMI) to multiple metals are predicted using previously collected laboratory and field samples and a metal mixture model. Biological responses in single metal exposures are used to parameterize toxicity functions, which include accumulations of hydrogen and selected metals on biological receptors, intrinsic potencies of hydrogen and metals, sensitivities of organisms, and times of exposure. The model then is used to predict responses in multiple metal laboratory exposures and field-collected porewater. The following sensitivity sequence in porewater was determined based on endpoints of survival or total abundance: juvenile white sturgeon greater than (>) Ephemerellidae family > Hyalella azteca > Heptageniidae family about equal to (~) benthic macroinvertebrate community > Brachycentridae family. The fraction of porewater samples that are predicted to have adverse impacts on benthic biota (20-percent or greater negative response) depends on organism sensitivities and metal toxicities, and ranges from 44 to 48 percent for juvenile white sturgeon, 23 to 26 percent for the Ephemerellidae family, 16 to 22 percent for Hyalella azteca, 5 to 8 percent for the Heptageniidae family and BMI community, and 0 percent for the caddisfly family. The most toxic porewater in the upper Columbia River Basin (UCR) is at the backwater bar site at Deadmans Eddy and China Bend. The model also indicates that the element responsible for the most toxic conditions in UCR porewater is copper for all organisms, except Hyalella azteca and the metal-insensitive Brachycentridae family. Copper and lead result in the most toxic conditions for Hyalella azteca. This approach and results can aid in assessing metal toxicity and its potential risk to aquatic biota in ecosystems impacted by historical mining activities.

Suggested Citation

Balistrieri, L.S., 2025, Sensitivity of benthic biota and toxicity of cadmium, cobalt, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc mixtures in Washington, United States, and British Columbia, Canada: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2025–5001, 19 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255001.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Purpose and scope
  • Methods
  • Predictions of Metal Toxicity to Benthic Biota
  • Summary
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Sensitivity of benthic biota and toxicity of cadmium, cobalt, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc mixtures in Washington, United States, and British Columbia, Canada
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2025-5001
DOI 10.3133/sir20255001
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
Description v, 19 p.
Country Canada, United States
State British Columbia, Washington
Other Geospatial Upper Columbia River basin
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details