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2023 SETAC Europe Presentations
Smithers scientists presented at the SETAC Europe Annual Meeting in Dublin, 30 April - 4 May.
SETAC Europe Poster: Identifying an Alternative Organic Matter Source for Artificial Sediment Used in Aquatic Plant Exposures
Artificial sediment is the required substrate for several guideline studies including OECD TG 2391, the Water-Sediment Myriophyllum spicatum Toxicity Test. Peat moss is a component of this sediment, but an alternative may need to be considered due to the environmental impact of its harvest2 and observed variability in both biological performance and sediment-chemical interactions3, likely due to inconsistency from different source regions.
Several peat moss alternatives have been assessed by the industry4,5. For this project, coconut fiber (coir) was identified as the most desirable replacement since it is easily accessible, cost-effective, and has a similar texture to finely ground peat moss. Tests were conducted at Smithers to compare growth and toxic sensitivity of Myriophyllum spicatum plants grown in artificial sediment made with coconut fiber to plants grown in peat moss.
Ashlee Kirkwood, Senior Research Biologist, presented this research at the SETAC Europe 33rd Annual Meeting, 30 April – 4 May 2023, in Dublin, Ireland.
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