双齿围沙蚕对芘的生物可利用性研究

为近海岸沉积质中PAHs的生态风险评价及其污染生境的修复提供理论依据,以双齿围沙蚕为研究对象,以芘为暴露污染物,开展双齿围沙蚕对芘的生物可利用性研究,分别考察了芘对双齿围沙蚕抗氧化酶活性的影响以及芘在双齿围沙蚕体内的生物富集特征。结果表明,双齿围沙蚕SOD、CAT和GSH-PX活性均随诱导时间的增加而升高,且SOD活性随芘浓度的增加出现显著性抑制,CAT和GSH-PX活性则随芘浓度的增加出现显著性升高。芘在双齿围沙蚕体内的生物富集特征如下:双齿围沙蚕体内芘的蓄积量随暴露浓度的增加而增加,各处理组双齿围沙蚕体内芘的蓄积量随时间的变化均呈类凸形的二次曲线关系,在第10天达到蓄积的最大值,最大蓄积量依次为(6.18±0.62)mg·kg~(-1)、(12.37±1.23)mg·kg~(-1)和(24.76±1.51)mg·kg~(-1)。生物富集系数BCF随芘浓度的增加而减小,分别为0.0692、0.0684和0.0674。上述研究结果表明,在一定浓度范围内,双齿围沙蚕抗氧化酶活性对芘的暴露具有很好的指示作用;此外,在短期内,双齿围沙蚕对芘具有明显的富集效应。     

微塑料对双齿围沙蚕生理代谢的影响研究

为探讨微塑料对双齿围沙蚕生理代谢的影响,本文研究了聚丙烯(PP)、聚酰胺(PA)和聚氯乙烯(PVC)3种微塑料在不同浓度(0.1％、1％和5％)和暴露时间下对双齿围沙蚕体内过氧化氢酶(CAT)、乙酰胆碱酯酶(AchE)活性以及代谢指标排氨率和呼吸速率的影响.结果表明,随微塑料浓度的升高,双齿围沙蚕体内CAT活性显著提升,5％浓度下双齿围沙蚕体内CAT活性最高;PVC对双齿围沙蚕体内AchE活性表现为低浓度(0.1％)抑制、高浓度(5％)促进的作用;PP和PA在不同浓度下对双齿围沙蚕体内AchE酶活性均表现为促进作用;随着微塑料浓度的升高,双齿围沙蚕的排氨率和呼吸速率显著升高(P<0.05).综上,微塑料在高浓度条件下,在一定时间内可以对双齿围沙蚕产生氧化胁迫作用,并一定程度上影响其排氨率和呼吸速率.     

沙蚕（Perinereis aibuhitensis）对老化贝类养殖沉积物的生物修复研究

在连续多年进行底栖贝类高密度养殖的滩涂海域,沉积物老化现象十分突出,养殖沉积环境的修复是改善养殖环境的重要途径,而沙蚕是一种优良的潜在生物修复物种。为了探索老化养殖沉积环境的最优生物修复方式。以文蛤(Meretrix meretrix)老化养殖滩涂沉积物为研究对象,投放不同密度(高密度:0.30 kg·m~(-2),中密度:0.20 kg·m~(-2),低密度:0.10 kg·m~(-2))的双齿围沙蚕(Perinereis aibuhitensis),通过6个月的现场修复试验,检测分析沉积物中氧化还原电位(Eh)、温度(t)、pH、硫化物、总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)及总有机碳(TOC)含量的变化特征,研究双齿围沙蚕对沉积物的生物修复效果。结果表明,4-9月各试验组沉积物的Eh、pH、T整体上升,平均值分别为(-291.70±75.23) mV、(7.56±0.17)、(15.70±3.75)℃,9月各试验组沉积物中Eh、pH、t值最高分别为-116.43m V,7.91,20.36℃,但试验区域沉积物性质依然属于还原、弱碱性环境;4-9月各试验组沉积物的硫化物、TOC、TN整体下降,平均值分别为(400±66)mg·kg~(-1)、(1.10%±0.19%)、(0.17%±0.05%),9月中密度试验组沉积物中硫化物、TOC、TN最低,分别为269 mg·kg~(-1)、0.83%、0.07%,TP呈前期略微下降,后期上下波动的趋势。研究结果表明双齿围沙蚕在一定程度上可以改善老化养殖沉积物的还原环境,降低老化养殖沉积物中过高的硫化物、TOC、TN、TP含量,其修复作用与投放沙蚕的密度有关,在该试验条件下,0.20 kg·m~(-2)的投放密度较为适宜。该研究为大规模的沿海老化滩涂底质环境修复提供了一定的理论和实践基础。     

荧蒽的淡水沉积物预测无效应浓度推导及生态风险评价

本文基于我国本土淡水水生生物的毒性数据,采用平衡分配法,推导了荧蒽的淡水PNECsed(沉积物环境预测无效应浓度)为551.0!g·kg-1.结合获得的PNECsed,采用商值法,评价了我国主要河流沉积物中荧蒽的生态风险.结果表明,各河流沉积物中荧蒽的RQ平均值(风险商平均值)均小于1,生态风险大小依次为辽河松花江淮河海河黄河珠江长江.研究结果可以为荧蒽的风险管理提供技术支持.     

黄河口表层沉积物中多环芳烃(PAHs)的生态风险分析

以黄河口11个表层沉积物站位的实测16种多环芳烃(PAHs)浓度为基础资料,采用平均效应区间中值商法和阈值效应浓度、可能效应浓度法2种评价方法分析黄河口表层沉积物中PAHs的生态风险.阈值效应浓度和可能效应浓度法评价结果表明:所有站位表层沉积物中苯并(b)荧蒽、苯并(k)荧蒽、和苯并(ghi)苝、茚并(1,2,3)芘可能具有一定的生态风险,黄河口东部和东南部海域表层沉积物中萘可能具有一定的生态风险.平均效应区间中值商法结果表明,所有站位表层沉积物中的MERM-Q都小于0.1,发生综合生态风险的可能性较小,危害概率远小于10%.     

重金属Cr(VI)、Pb及Cu胁迫对双齿围沙蚕体腔细胞的DNA损伤

为探讨重金属Cr(VI)、Pb以及Cu对沙蚕体腔细胞DNA的毒性效应,以双齿围沙蚕为受试动物,重金属按不同剂量水平,Cr(VI):10、100和200 mg·L~(-1),Pb:5、50和100 mg·L~(-1),Cu:1、10和20 mg·L~(-1),分别胁迫沙蚕24 h,以不加任何重金属离子的海水为对照,采用单细胞凝胶电泳技术,检测其体腔细胞DNA损伤程度。结果表明,与空白对照组相比,3种重金属离子的各浓度组都能引起沙蚕体腔细胞DNA损伤,且3种重金属胁迫浓度与细胞DNA损伤程度之间存在显著的剂量-效应关系。双齿围沙蚕可以作为单细胞凝胶电泳的实验材料用于重金属所致环境污染的生物监测指示生物。     

复合人工湿地对有机污染物的去除效果初步研究

研究了由不同植物配置(驯化和未驯化)的两组下行和上行植物床组成的复合人工湿地对生活污水的净化效果。结果表明,CODCr和BOD5的去除率达67.3%,68.1%,总氮(TN)的去除率为26.9%,总磷(TP)的去除主要发生在上行床,去除率为81.6%。环芳烃(PAHs)中苊(Ace)、荧蒽(Flu)、芘(Py)、苯并[a]蒽(BaA)、屈(Chr)、苯并[b]荧蒽(BbF)、苯并[a]芘(BaP)、茚并[1,2,3-cd]芘(InP)和苯并[g,h,i](BPR)经下行床后,去除率超过80%,上行床去除较少。驯化床和未驯化床对PAHs的去除效果差异不显著。邻苯二甲酸酯(PAEs)中邻苯二甲酸二乙酯(DEP)和邻苯二甲酸二异丁酯(DiBP)经驯化床后,质量浓度显著升高,经未驯化床后邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基)己酯(DEHP)含量显著降低。蚕豆根尖微核实验表明,不同植物配置对微核率影响差异并不显著,毒害物质经下行床后大部分被去除。     

重金属Cr(Ⅵ)、Pb及Cu胁迫对双齿围沙蚕体腔细胞的DNA损伤

为探讨重金属Cr(Ⅵ)、Pb以及Cu对沙蚕体腔细胞DNA的毒性效应,以双齿围沙蚕为受试动物,重金属按不同剂量水平,Cr(Ⅵ):10、100和200 mg· L-1,Pb:5、50和100 mg·L-1,Cu:1、10和20 mg· L-1,分别胁迫沙蚕24 h,以不加任何重金属离子的海水为对照,采用单细胞凝胶电泳技术,检测其体腔细胞DNA损伤程度.结果表明,与空白对照组相比,3种重金属离子的各浓度组都能引起沙蚕体腔细胞DNA损伤,且3种重金属胁迫浓度与细胞DNA损伤程度之间存在显著的剂量-效应关系.双齿围沙蚕可以作为单细胞凝胶电泳的实验材料用于重金属所致环境污染的生物监测指示生物.     

沙蚕对翅碱蓬-降油细菌系统降解菲效果的影响

选取近岸大型优势底栖动物多毛类双齿围沙蚕(Perinereis aibuhitensis)以及盐沼先锋植物翅碱蓬(Suaeda heteroptera),应用微宇宙方法比较沙蚕、翅碱蓬、降油细菌3种生物类型不同修复组合对菲的降解效果,分析不同修复组合对沉积质细菌数量的影响,揭示沙蚕对翅碱蓬-降油菌去除、降解菲的强化效应.结果表明,不同生物组合对土壤菲的降解率存在明显差异,降解率从高到低依次为沙蚕-翅碱蓬-降油菌翅碱蓬-降油菌沙蚕.其中,至实验30 d时,沙蚕-翅碱蓬-降油菌和翅碱蓬-降油菌两种生物组合对菲的总降解率分别达到97.02%和93.93%;不同生物组合平均降解率均随着时间的延长出现下降趋势;沙蚕对菲去除途径(翅碱蓬-降油菌交互作用、非生物因素)有显著的强化作用,最高强化贡献率分别达到14.32%、20.08%.在0-5 d沙蚕-翅碱蓬-降油菌组合中土壤降油菌数量显著高于翅碱蓬-降油菌组合;随着时间延长,两种生物组合降油菌数量均出现下降趋势,至实验20-30 d时均降至对照组水平.综上可知,沙蚕-翅碱蓬-降油菌联合修复模式较其它模式修复效果更显著,沙蚕对各去除因子降解以菲为代表的多环芳烃(PAHs)有明显的强化作用,并对降油菌生长有促进效果.     

基于统计方法的辽东湾沉积物中多环芳烃来源特征分析

为研究辽东湾表层沉积物中多环芳烃(PAHs)的来源特征,2014年5月采集了20个辽东湾海域表层沉积物样品,并利用气相色谱质谱联用仪对优先控制的16种PAHs进行测定,采用聚类分析、主成分分析-多元线性回归分析、异构体比值3种统计方法对辽东湾表层沉积物中PAHs来源特征进行了研究。结果表明,辽东湾表层沉积物中PAHs含量范围88.5~199.3 ng·g-1,平均值为(126.3±35.3)ng·g-1,其中,萘、菲和荧蒽是PAHs优势组分。通过统计分析结果表明,辽东湾北部表层沉积物中PAHs含量低于西南部,沉积物中PAHs的来源包括石油燃烧来源、煤炭、木材等生物质燃烧来源和石油来源,其中燃烧来源是主要来源,煤炭、木材等生物质燃烧来源占49.9%,石油燃烧来源和石油来源占50.1%。     

Impact of the polychaete Capitella sp. I on microbial activity in an organic-rich marine sediment contaminated with the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fluoranthene

Polychaetes belonging to the genus Capitella are often present in high numbers in organic-rich sediments polluted with, e.g., oil components, and Capitella spp. may have a great impact on the biogeochemistry of these sediments. We examined the influence of Capitella sp. I on microbial activity in an organic-rich marine sediment contaminated with the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, fluoranthene. Capitella sp. I were added to microcosms (10 000 ind m⁻²) and the impact of a pulse-sedimentation of fluoranthene-contaminated sediment (3 mm layer) was studied for a period of 12 d after sedimentation. The sediment oxygen uptake and total sediment metabolism (TCO₂ production) increased in cores with worms (71 to 131%), whereas the anaerobic activity, measured as sulfate reduction rate 12 d after sedimentation, was lower compared to cores without worms. The effect of fluoranthene on sulfate reduction was most pronounced in the presence of worms, with a 34% reduction versus 16% in cores without worms. The reduced sulfur pools in cores with worms were smaller than in cores without worms, suggesting that the reduced anaerobic activity was caused by increased oxidation of the sediment, which may favor O₂ and other electron-acceptors (e.g. NO₃ ⁻, Fe³⁺, Mn⁴⁺) in organic matter decomposition. The sediment oxygen uptake and TCO₂ production did not show significant changes due to fluoranthene treatment, indicating that these parameters were either less sensitive to fluoranthene stress or recovered more rapidly (i.e. within 48 h) than sulfate reduction rates. Bioturbation by Capitella sp. I altered the depth profile of fluoranthene such that fluoranthene was found in deeper sediment layers (down to 2 cm) where diffusional loss and microbial breakdown probably are reduced relative to surface layers. In cores without worms, fluoranthene was found down to 1 cm, with 75% remaining in the upper 5 mm. Received: 5 December 1996 / Accepted: 11 February 1997     

Changes in the feeding behavior of the deposit-feeding polychaete<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Laeonereis acuta</Emphasis> on soft sediments inhabited by burrowing crabs

In this paper, we evaluate the influence of the burrowing crab Chasmagnathus granulatus on the feeding behavior, body condition, burrowing activity, and fecal production of the deposit-feeding polychaete Laeonereis acuta. Previous results and ours show that, due to crab activity, sediment organic matter decreases with depth outside a crab bed, but there were no differences inside. Also, particle sizes were smaller inside the crab bed. Polychaetes showed better body condition inside the crab bed, suggesting higher energy gain. They fed on the surface more frequently outside the crab bed than inside. However, feeding rate was higher inside the crab bed, which is consistent with the larger weight and volume of fecal pellets found inside crab bed. In both areas, the bedload sediment transport was not similar to the sediment ingested by this polychaete. A 1-month exclusion/inclusion experiment performed outside and inside the crab bed showed that the body condition of polychaetes changed between areas but that this was not directly due to crab manipulation. Thus, our results suggest that the higher sediment quality inside a crab bed can positively affect the feeding behavior of the deposit-feeding polychaete L. acuta, increasing its feeding rate and consequently enhancing its body condition.Communicated by P.W. Sammarco, Chauvin     

Microbial reaction rates and bacterial communities in sediment surrounding burrows of two nereidid polychaetes (Nereis diversicolor and N. virens)

The effects of infaunal mode of life on sediment properties, microbial reaction rates, as well as abundance and composition of bacterial communities were studied in sediment surrounding burrows (mucus lining, oxidised wall, ambient anoxic and surface sediment) of two closely related, but behaviourally different, nereidid polychaete worms: the facultative suspension-feeder Nereis (Hediste) diversicolor and the obligate deposit-feeder Nereis (Neanthes) virens. Burrow sediment of the two species was collected from two adjacent (50 m distance) shallow sandy locations (Kertinge Nor, Denmark). The burrow lining and wall of both polychaete species were enriched in organic matter originating from mucous secretions by the inhabitants and phytoplankton trapped through irrigation. This was more evident for N. diversicolor that shows a significantly higher irrigation rate than N. virens. Both the organic matter mineralisation rates (based on anaerobic incubations) and bacterial abundance were higher along the burrow linings and walls. However, accumulation of porewater TCO₂ and dissolved organic carbon in sediments adjacent to burrows increased most rapidly in the presence of N. diversicolor, suggesting higher heterotrophic activity associated with this species. Surprisingly, bacterial abundance was lower around burrows of N. diversicolor than those from N. virens indicating that burrow environments from the first species harbour a more active bacterial community. Molecular fingerprints of the 16S rRNA gene from bacterial communities showed that the composition of the burrow linings and walls resembled the ambient anoxic sediment rather than the oxic sediment surface. On the other hand, the bacterial fingerprints of the sediment surrounding the burrows of the two polychaete species were markedly different suggesting either a site-specific difference in sediment parameters or a significant species-specific impact of the burrow inhabitants.     

Responses of Metaphycussp. nr. flavus to semiochemicals released from a scale host, Coccus hesperidum

Summary. Metaphycus sp. nr. flavus (Encyrtidae: Hymenoptera) is a parasitoid species collected from the Mediterranean region which lays its eggs in the immature stages of several economically important soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccidae), including brown soft scale, Coccus hesperidum L. (= host insect). Preliminary tests suggested that the parasitoid is most successful in producing offspring when it oviposits in the younger stages of brown soft scale. In Y-olfactometer bioassays measuring wasp choices and residence times, naïve parasitoids were significantly more attracted to yucca leaves infested with 26, 27, or 28 d-old scale than to uninfested leaves, whereas leaves with older (29-30 d-old) scale were no more attractive than uninfested leaves. Parasitoids also spent significantly more time in the arm with yucca leaves infested with 26 d-old scale than in the arm with uninfested leaves. These results are consistent with observations of the parasitoids reproductive success on scale of different ages, whereby older scale are more likely to encapsulate the developing eggs of M. sp. nr. flavusfemales than are younger scale. Further bioassays determined that yucca leaves that had been infested with 26 d-old scale but from which the scale had been removed were as attractive as infested leaves. In contrast, infested yucca leaves from which scale had been removed and the leaves subsequently washed with distilled water were less attractive than infested leaves. Furthermore, the wash water containing scale residues was attractive to female wasps. In total, these results suggest that Metaphycussp. nr. flavus females utilize volatile, water soluble compounds produced by brown soft scale as cues to locate suitable hosts.     

Species-specific effect of macrobenthic assemblages on meiobenthos and nematode community structure in shallow sandy sediments

Three functionally different macrofaunal species (the filter- and/or surface deposit-feeding polychaete Hediste diversicolor, and the suspension-feeding bivalves Mya arenaria and Cerastoderma glaucum) were introduced as single- and two-species treatments into microcosms containing sandy sediment with a natural meiofaunal community. H. diversicolor is a burrowing species building a system of galleries, C. glaucum lives actively near the sediment surface acting as a biodiffuser and M. arenaria buries deeply and leads a sessile lifestyle. It is shown that H. diversicolor extended the vertical distribution of meiofauna into deeper sediment layers compared to the control and non-Hediste treatments. The response of the nematode community varied significantly among treatments and was dependant on the macrobenthic species composition but not on the species number. Nematode assemblages in all treatments with the polychaete, both in monoculture and with either bivalve, differed significantly from those recorded in other treatments and were more similar than replicates within any other single treatment. H. diversicolor also appeared to have stimulated nematode species diversity. The present study demonstrated that the impact of macrobenthic assemblages on meiofauna is not a simple summation of individual species effects but is species specific.     

Bioturbation effects of the amphipod Corophium volutator on microbial nitrogen transformations in marine sediments

Microcosms containing different densities of Corophium volutator, ranging from 0 to 6000 ind m^-2, were incubated in a flow-through system. Benthic fluxes of CO₂, O₂, NO₃ ^- and NH₄ ⁺ were measured regularly. Thirteen days after setup the microcosms were sacrificed and sediment characteristics, pore water NO₃ ^-, NH₄ ⁺ and exchangeable NH₄ ⁺ concentrations, and potential nitrification activity were measured. The presence of C. volutator increased overall mineralization processes due to burrow construction and irrigation. The amphipods increased the ratio CO₂/O₂ fluxes from 0.73 to 0.86 in microcosms inhabited by 0 and 6000 ind m^-2, respectively. Burrow ventilation removed NH₄ ⁺ from the sediment, which was nitrified in the oxic layer and transported NO₃ ^- to the burrow sediment, where denitrification potential was enhanced. Nitrification and total denitrification rates (denitrification of NO₃ ^- coming from the overlying water and of NO₃ ^- generated within the sediment) were calculated and discussed. Bioturbation by C. volutator increased both nitrification and denitrification, but denitrification was stimulated more than nitrification. Denitrification of NO₃ ^- coming from the overlying water was stimulated 1.2- and 1.7-fold in microcosms containing 3000 and 6000 ind m^-2 relative to control microcosms. The presence of C. volutator (6000 ind m^-2) stimulated nitrogen removal from the system, as dinitrogen, 1.5-fold relative to non-bioturbated microcosms. C. volutator individuals used in our study were collected from Norsminde Fjord, Denmark, in 1990.     

Net energetic advantage drives honey bees (Apis mellifera L) to nectar larceny in Vaccinium ashei Reade

Carpenter bees (Xylocopa spp.) act as primary nectar thieves in rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade), piercing corollas laterally to imbibe nectar at basal nectaries. Honey bees (Apis mellifera L) learn to visit these perforations and thus become secondary nectar thieves. We tested the hypothesis that honey bees make this behavioral switch in response to an energetic advantage realized by nectar-robbing flower visits. Nectar volume and sugar quantity were higher in intact than perforated flowers, but bees (robbers) visiting perforated flowers were able to extract a higher percentage of available nectar and sugar so that absolute amount of sugar (mg) removed by one bee visit is the same for each flower type. However, because perforated flowers facilitate higher rates of bee flower visitation and the same or higher rates of nectar ingestion, they are rendered more profitable than intact flowers in temporal terms. Accordingly, net energy (J) gain per second flower handling time was higher for robbers on most days sampled. We conclude that the majority evidence indicates an energetic advantage for honey bees that engage in secondary nectar thievery in V. ashei.Communicated by R. Page     

Mesozooplankton resting eggs in the Baltic Sea: identification and vertical distribution in laminated and mixed sediments

Benthic resting eggs of rotifers, cladocerans and calanoid copepods were studied at two sites with different hydrographical and sediment properties off the SW coast of Finland, the northern Baltic Sea between 1991 and 1993. Vertical distribution of the resting eggs in the sediment was studied down to 10 cm depth, and hatching of the eggs extracted from different 1-cm thick sediment layers was experimentally tested. The larvae of eight mesozooplankton taxa emerged from the eggs: Calanoida (mostlyAcartia bifilosa), cladoceransBosmina spp.,Daphnia spp.,Evadne nordmanni, andPodon spp. (mostlyP. polyphemoides), and rotifersSynchaeta spp.,Keratella spp. andAsplanchna priodonta. Some calanoid and cladoceran eggs hatched after 7 mo storage of the sediment at 3°C. A few calanoid and cladoceran eggs hatched from the 8 to 10 cm deep sediment layer. Their age, estimated by means of¹³⁷Cs analysis, was ca. 8 to 10 yr. Vertical distribution of the benthic eggs reflected the different sediment structures of the study sites. The eggs of all zooplankton taxa were more stratified in the laminated sediment than in the disturbed sediment. We suggest that the intensity of deep water mixing is the key factor for regulating the vertical distribution and hatching probability of mesozooplankton resting eggs, since it largely determines the stratification of the sedimenting material, distribution of oxygen within the sediment, and the living conditions of benthic animals causing bioturbation.     

Chromium in intertidal sediments of the Clyde,UK: potential for remobilisation and bioaccumulation

Detailed surveys of intertidal sediments have been performed along the north and south shores of the Inner Clyde estuary, UK. Surface sediment data reveal significant spatial variation in Cr content and an association with major sediment characteristics and location within the estuary. Depth variation for Cr and other heavy metals cannot be explained by variation in major geochemical controls such as grain size and organic matter and highlights the impact of historical contamination on sediment quality. These elevated levels at depth may still have environmental impact through redox-reactivity, in association with iron and manganese. Sequential extraction of sediments and pore water analysis of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) provide detailed information on release potential from the sediments. The implication of Cr mobility for biota in the estuary has been assessed by the analysis of a common marine bivalve, Mytilus edulis (Blue Mussel) and a burrowing polychaete, Nereis diversicolor (rag worm) from a number of survey sites. Bioconcentration factors for Mytilus indicate that the weakly held portion of sediment Cr is available for uptake and in the case of Nereis, bioaccumulation appears to be inhibited by sediment organic matter.     

Transfer of 65Zn from sediments by marine polychaete worms

Silty marine sediments spiked with ⁶⁵Zn lose only small fractions of their radioactivity when exposed to slowly flowing seawater for several weeks. However, polychaete worms (Nereis diversicolor), burrowing through the sediment, cause ⁶⁵Zn losses 3 to 7 times higher than in sediment without worms. Long-term experiments on the uptake and loss of ⁶⁵Zn by the polychaete Hermione hystrix indicate that 60 or more days exposure are required for this worm to approach steady state with ⁶⁵Zn in the sediment. Biological half-life estimates for ⁶⁵Zn accumulated from sediment by H. hystrix are extremely variable (52 to 197 days), depending on the loss-time interval chosen for the calculation. Following 5 days exposure to 16 cm³ of radioactive sediment, N. diversicolor individuals contained an average of 0.2% of the total ⁶⁵Zn in the sediment. When these worms were transferred to non-radioactive sediment, estimates of biological half-life for ⁶⁵Zn averaged 14 to 17 days during the loss period Day 3 to Day 15. Based on these experimental results, it is estimated that a population of N. diversicolor could cause an annual loss of 3% or more of the ⁶⁵Zn in the upper 2 cm of the sediment of a hypothetical radioactive estuary.