Sediment toxicity test endpoints from the U.S. Geological Survey 2014 Southeast Regional Stream Quality Assessment

These data present the results of sediment toxicity tests conducted by the US Geological Survey's Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) in Columbia, MO, in 2014. The sediments were collected as one part of a larger study on stream quality in Southeastern USA streams during the summer of 2014. For more information on the larger study see- https://webapps.usgs.gov/rsqa. The data include results from two test species, the amphipod Hyalella azteca and the midge Chironomus dilutus (formerly known as C. tentans). Three endpoints per species tested are listed as survival, growth and biomass from 76 freshwater stream sediments collected in the study. Values listed are the average response across four test replicates per species, per sediment tested, and are listed as both absolute values per test endpoint and as values normalized to organism performance in reference sediments included within the study. Laboratory testing methods followed standard sediment toxicity test methods for these species from American Society for Testing and Materials (E1706-05(2010)) and US EPA method EPA/600/R-99/064 (2000). For more information about the study and analysis of these results, see associated journal article: Moran, P.W., Kemble, N.E., Waite, I.R., Mahler, B.J., Nowell, L.H., Van Metre, P.C. 2020. Legacy and current-use contaminants in sediments limit macroinvertebrate communities in Southeastern USA streams. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, in press.