Comparison of different ecotoxicological batteries with WOE approach for the environmental quality evaluation of harbour sediments

This study was conducted under the Italian Ministerial Decree D.M. 173/2016 which regulates assessment of Sediment Class Quality in Italy using ecotoxicological bioassay and chemical analysis (Weight-Of-Evidence model). The aim this work to evaluate real classification obtained by theoretically equivalent responses nine different combinations batteries based on six species: Aliivibrio fischeri (inhibition bioluminescence), Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Skeletonema costatum, Dunaliella tertiolecta algal growth), Paracentrotus lividus Crassostrea gigas (embryotoxicity). Bioassays, many cases, showed a non-bioavailability effect pollutants; these one highly revealed analyses. Algal species very similar from each other. Otherwise, used for embryotoxicity produced wide responses, consequently modifying quality class sediments handling management (i.e. landfill confinement or beach nourishment) allowed Law.