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Content archived on 2024-05-27

Biodynamic modelling of compartmentalised bioaccumulation of toxic metals by the clam Scrobicularia plana in European estuaries

Objective

"The central objective of this project is to provide a scientific basis for the prediction of the ecotoxicity of toxic metals to local biodiversity in sediments of European estuaries subject to anthropogenic contamination. Measurements of accumulated metal concentrations in sediment-ingesting infaunal invertebrates can provide evidence on local sediment bioavailabilities of toxic metals, but such total body concentrations are not directly related to the predictive onset of ecotoxicological effects (Luoma and Rainbow, 2008) and cannot be used as such in risk assessments. Ecotoxicity, however, is related to the increased rate of accumulation of metal in a form that is entering the body faster than it can be detoxified or excreted (Rainbow 2002, 2007; Luoma and Rainbow, 2008). My aim is to extend the capabilities and the use of biodynamic modelling of metal bioaccumulation to make it possible: [1] to model the build up of such non-detoxified metal accumulated in a keystone European estuarine deposit feeder as a biomarker for ecotoxicity, [2] to enable the prediction of threshold bioavailabilities of trace metals in contaminated estuarine sediments that are of ecotoxicological significance, [3] to achieve a better scientific understanding of the mechanisms involved in sediment ecotoxicology . Achieving these three outcomes will put environmental risk assessments of sediment metal contamination of estuaries and other coastal areas onto a more scientific basis and thereby improve the monitoring capabilities of both the research community and environmental agencies. The extension of this technique and the insights that can be gained both in this project and through its wider use should contribute to the more effective implementation of environmental quality standards for different purposes – for example, those for sediments in the Water Framework Directive or those being developed by national agencies for dredged material management following the OSPAR recommendations."

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Topic(s)

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Call for proposal

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FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF
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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)

Coordinator

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
EU contribution
€ 100 185,90
Address
CROMWELL ROAD
SW7 5BD London
United Kingdom

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Region
London Inner London — West Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham
Activity type
Public bodies (excluding Research Organisations and Secondary or Higher Education Establishments)
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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