ERDC/EL TR-14-1 "Taxonomic Evaluation of Cleveland Harbor Lake Areas"

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) performs routine maintenance dredging of federal navigation channels. Prior to dredging, an evaluation of the dredged material may be needed to determine the best management alternative. A dredging evaluation involves chemical and biological analysis to determine the potential impacts of the dredged material in both the water column during placement and the settled (inplace) material. Biological analysis employs laboratory toxicity bioassays using water column or sediment-dwelling organisms. Standardized test organisms are used in bioassays as surrogates for organisms indigenous to the dredged material disposal site. Thus, it is important to determine what organisms are present at the disposal site. This report provides a survey of indigenous benthic macroinvertebrates present at prospective disposal site locations considered by USACE Buffalo District for use in the dredging of Cleveland Harbor. Results indicated a relatively low abundance and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrate organisms at the study locations. An analysis of pollution sensitivity of the organisms at the prospective disposal sites indicated that the standard surrogate organisms used in laboratory toxicity bioassays would be adequately protective of the species present at these locations. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents. DESTROY THIS REPORT WHEN NO LONGER NEEDED. DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE ORIGINATOR.