{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]],"date-time":"2026-06-24T06:48:59Z","timestamp":1782283739870,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":67,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"19","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,15]],"date-time":"2026-06-15T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1781481600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,15]],"date-time":"2026-06-15T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1781481600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"funder":[{"name":"Matagorda Bay Mitigation Trust","award":["019"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["019"]}]},{"name":"National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Education","award":["NA21SEC4810004"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["NA21SEC4810004"]}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/100007809","name":"Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","id":[{"id":"10.13039\/100007809","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"crossref"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Environ Sci Pollut Res"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>The Matagorda Bay system has suffered a long-term decline in benthic abundance, biomass, and diversity since the 1980\u2019s. This study examined sediment contamination to determine if legacy pollutants are degrading sediment quality and are a possible cause for ecosystem degradation. Degradation can be indicated by a decline in benthic integrity (i.e., diversity), decreased survival rates of organisms exposed to sediment, and sediment chemical contaminant concentrations over threshold limits. These methods form the Sediment Quality Triad to assess environmental effects. There were no contaminant concentrations above threshold limits for PCBs or DDTs, but 46% of 24 stations had concentrations over threshold limits, established by sediment quality guidelines, for seven trace elements and one PAH: arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and silver (Ag); and dibenzo (a,h) anthracene. Mostly near river mouths, 16 of the 24 stations had moderate to high toxicity, and 17 out of the 24 stations had fair to low diversity. Toxicity was inversely correlated with diversity, but there were no correlations between sediment chemistry and toxicity or benthic metrics. These findings indicate that legacy chemical contamination is not driving estuary-wide degradation of benthic communities The only station where high contamination was linked to high toxicity and low diversity was in the uppermost region of Lavaca Bay close to creek mouths. Low diversity and\/or high toxicity was common near river and creek mouths. Because unmeasured pollution could be entering from rivers and creeks, management plans for the watershed and non-point sources could help to protect this ecosystem.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1007\/s11356-026-37918-2","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,15]],"date-time":"2026-06-15T06:34:13Z","timestamp":1781505253000},"page":"9785-9803","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["An assessment of contaminants and benthic condition in the Matagorda Bay system (Texas, USA)"],"prefix":"10.1007","volume":"33","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-3451-1796","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jasmine J.","family":"Caillier","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4199-3312","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Paul A.","family":"Montagna","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Marie E.","family":"DeLorenzo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Katy W.","family":"Chung","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Peter B.","family":"Key","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,15]]},"reference":[{"key":"37918_CR1","unstructured":"Alcoa Corporation\u00a0(2025) Point comfort. Alcoa Corporation, \u00a0https:\/\/aacomaua.apps.alcoa.com\/point-comfort\/en. Accessed\u00a012 Sept 2025"},{"key":"37918_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"ASTM (2013) Standard guide for conducting sediment toxicity tests with polychaetous annelids. ASTM E1611\u201300. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1520\/E1611-00R13","DOI":"10.1520\/E1611-00R13"},{"issue":"92","key":"37918_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/0925-8574(92)90023-U","volume":"8574","author":"LA Baker","year":"1992","unstructured":"Baker LA (1992) Introduction to nonpoint source pollution in the United States and prospects for wetland use. Ecol Eng 8574(92):1\u201326. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/0925-8574(92)90023-U","journal-title":"Ecol Eng"},{"key":"37918_CR4","unstructured":"Bay S, Greenstein D, Young D (2007) Evaluation of methods for measuring sediment toxicity in California bays and estuaries. Technical Report 503, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, p 41, and 2 appendices. https:\/\/www.academia.edu\/download\/81049898\/503_toxicity_indicator_methods.pdf. Accessed\u00a08 Jun 2026"},{"issue":"10","key":"37918_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1781","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2008.06.010","volume":"56","author":"W Bissett","year":"2008","unstructured":"Bissett W, Adams LG, Field R, Moyer W, Phillips T, Scott HM, Wade T, Sweet S, Thompson JA (2008) Bayesian spatial modeling of Lavaca Bay pollutants. Mar Pollut Bull 56(10):1781\u20131787. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2008.06.010","journal-title":"Mar Pollut Bull"},{"issue":"2","key":"37918_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"303","DOI":"10.2134\/jeq2001.302303x","volume":"30","author":"DF Boesch","year":"2001","unstructured":"Boesch DF, Brinsfield RB, Magnien RE (2001) Chesapeake Bay eutrophication: scientific understanding, ecosystem restoration, and challenges for agriculture. J Environ Qual 30(2):303\u2013320. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2134\/jeq2001.302303x","journal-title":"J Environ Qual"},{"key":"37918_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1100","DOI":"10.1016\/S0025-326X(00)00061-8","volume":"40","author":"A Borja","year":"2000","unstructured":"Borja A, Franco J, Perez V (2000) A marine biotic index to establish the ecological quality of soft-bottom benthos within European estuarine and coastal environments. Mar Pollut Bull 40:1100\u20131114. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S0025-326X(00)00061-8","journal-title":"Mar Pollut Bull"},{"key":"37918_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"93","DOI":"10.1016\/bs.amb.2019.05.001","volume":"82","author":"A Borja","year":"2019","unstructured":"Borja A, Chust G, Muxika I (2019) Forever young: the successful story of a marine biotic index. Adv Mar Biol 82:93\u2013127. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/bs.amb.2019.05.001","journal-title":"Adv Mar Biol"},{"key":"37918_CR9","unstructured":"Buchman MF (2008) NOAA screening quick reference tables. national oceanic and atmospheric agency, office of response and restoration report 08\u201301, NOAA ORR&R Division, Seattle WA, USA, 34 p. https:\/\/repository.library.noaa.gov\/view\/noaa\/9327\/noaa_9327_DS1.pdf. Accessed\u00a03 Sept 2025"},{"key":"37918_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1585","DOI":"10.1002\/etc.5620101204","volume":"10","author":"GJ Burton Jr","year":"1991","unstructured":"Burton GJ Jr (1991) Assessing the toxicity of freshwater sediments. Environ Toxicol Chem 10:1585\u20131627. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/etc.5620101204","journal-title":"Environ Toxicol Chem"},{"key":"37918_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"65","DOI":"10.1007\/s102010200008","volume":"3","author":"GJ Burton Jr","year":"2002","unstructured":"Burton GJ Jr (2002) Sediment quality criteria in use around the world. Limnology 3:65\u201376. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s102010200008","journal-title":"Limnology"},{"issue":"6","key":"37918_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"341","DOI":"10.1007\/BF00351951","volume":"5","author":"RS Carr","year":"1996","unstructured":"Carr RS, Chapman DC, Howard CL, Biedenbach JM (1996) Sediment quality triad assessment survey of the Galveston Bay, Texas system. Ecotoxicology 5(6):341\u2013364. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/BF00351951","journal-title":"Ecotoxicology"},{"issue":"3","key":"37918_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"561","DOI":"10.1002\/etc.5620190307","volume":"19","author":"RS Carr","year":"2000","unstructured":"Carr RS, Montagna PA, Biedenbach JM, Kalke R, Kennicutt MC, Hooten R, Cripe G (2000) Impact of storm-water outfalls on sediment quallity in Corpus Christi Bay, Texas, USA. Environ Toxicol Chem 19(3):561\u2013574. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/etc.5620190307","journal-title":"Environ Toxicol Chem"},{"issue":"1","key":"37918_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"20","DOI":"10.1002\/1522-7278(2001)16:1<20::AID-TOX30>3.0.CO;2-1","volume":"16","author":"RS Carr","year":"2001","unstructured":"Carr RS, Biedenbach JM, Hooten RL (2001) Sediment quality assessment survey and toxicity identification evaluation studies in Lavaca Bay, Texas, a marine Superfund site. Environ Toxicol 16(1):20\u201330. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/1522-7278(2001)16:1%3c20::AID-TOX30%3e3.0.CO;2-1","journal-title":"Environ Toxicol"},{"issue":"90","key":"37918_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"815","DOI":"10.1016\/0048-9697(90)90277-2","volume":"97","author":"PM Chapman","year":"1990","unstructured":"Chapman PM (1990) The sediment quality triad approach to determining pollution-induced degradation. Sci Total Environ 97(90):815\u2013825. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/0048-9697(90)90277-2","journal-title":"Sci Total Environ"},{"issue":"1","key":"37918_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3","DOI":"10.1002\/etc.5620200102","volume":"20","author":"PM Chapman","year":"2001","unstructured":"Chapman PM, Wang F (2001) Assessing sediment contamination in estuaries. Environ Toxicol Chem 20(1):3\u201322. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/etc.5620200102","journal-title":"Environ Toxicol Chem"},{"key":"37918_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"75","DOI":"10.3354\/meps037075","volume":"37","author":"PM Chapman","year":"1987","unstructured":"Chapman PM, Dexter RN, Long ER (1987) Synoptic measures of sediment contamination, toxicity and infaunal community composition (the Sediment Quality Triad) in San Francisco Bay. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 37:75\u201396","journal-title":"Mar Ecol Prog Ser"},{"key":"37918_CR18","volume-title":"PRIMER v7: user manual\/tutorial","author":"KR Clarke","year":"2015","unstructured":"Clarke KR, Gorley RN (2015) PRIMER v7: user manual\/tutorial. PRIMER-E, Plymouth, U.K."},{"key":"37918_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"213","DOI":"10.3354\/meps046213","volume":"46","author":"KR Clarke","year":"1988","unstructured":"Clarke KR, Green RH (1988) Statistical design and analysis for a \u2018biological effects\u2019 study. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 46:213\u2013226","journal-title":"Mar Ecol Prog Ser"},{"issue":"5","key":"37918_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"249","DOI":"10.1016\/0025-326X(93)90063-P","volume":"26","author":"DM Dauer","year":"1993","unstructured":"Dauer DM (1993) Biological criteria, environmental health and estuarine macrobenthic community structure. Mar Pollut Bull 26(5):249\u2013257. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/0025-326X(93)90063-P","journal-title":"Mar Pollut Bull"},{"key":"37918_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"38","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2008.11.008","volume":"59","author":"J-C Dauvin","year":"2009","unstructured":"Dauvin J-C, Ruellet T (2009) The estuarine quality paradox: is it possible to define an ecological quality status for specific modified and naturally stressed estuarine ecosystems? Mar Pollut Bull 59:38\u201347. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2008.11.008","journal-title":"Mar Pollut Bull"},{"key":"37918_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"34","DOI":"10.1007\/s12237-025-01648-4","volume":"49","author":"J Du","year":"2026","unstructured":"Du J, Park K, Wright K, Hu X, Kiaghadi A, Shoenbaechler C, Hua J (2026) Quantifying the flushing time of major coastal bays in the Northern Gulf of Mexico from 20-year simulations. Estuar Coast 49:34. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s12237-025-01648-4","journal-title":"Estuar Coast"},{"issue":"6","key":"37918_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"640","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2007.02.003","volume":"54","author":"M Elliott","year":"2007","unstructured":"Elliott M, Quintino V (2007) The estuarine quality paradox, environmental homeostasis and the difficulty of detecting anthropogenic stress in naturally stressed areas. Mar Pollut Bull 54(6):640\u2013645. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2007.02.003","journal-title":"Mar Pollut Bull"},{"key":"37918_CR24","unstructured":"Farrar JD, Bridges TS (2011) 28-Day chronic sublethal test method for evaluating whole sediments using an early life stage of the marine polychaete Neanthes arenaceodentata. US Army Corps of Engineers. Report ERDC TN-DOER-R14. https:\/\/erdc-library.erdc.dren.mil\/jspui\/bitstream\/11681\/8668\/1\/TN-DOER-R14.pdf. Accessed\u00a08 Jun 2026"},{"key":"37918_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2021.145245","volume":"770","author":"MF Fonseca","year":"2021","unstructured":"Fonseca MF, Ferreira FC, Choueri RB, Gustavo F (2021) M-Triad: an improvement of the sediment quality triad. Sci Total Environ 770:145245. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2021.145245","journal-title":"Sci Total Environ"},{"issue":"4239","key":"37918_CR26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"567","DOI":"10.1126\/science.1257794","volume":"192","author":"JP Grassle","year":"1976","unstructured":"Grassle JP, Grassle JF (1976) Sibling species in the marine pollution indicator Capitella (Polychaeta). Science 192(4239):567\u2013569. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/science.1257794","journal-title":"Science"},{"key":"37918_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"676","DOI":"10.1007\/s00244-009-9447-z","volume":"58","author":"HJ Haring","year":"2010","unstructured":"Haring HJ, Smith ME, Lazorchak JM, Crocker PA, Euresti A, Wratschko MC, Schaub MC (2010) Comparison of bulk sediment and sediment elutriate toxicity testing methods. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 58:676\u2013683. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00244-009-9447-z","journal-title":"Arch Environ Contam Toxicol"},{"issue":"1","key":"37918_CR28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"40","DOI":"10.1007\/s10661-022-10665-w","volume":"195","author":"EK Harris","year":"2023","unstructured":"Harris EK, Montagna PA, Douglas AR, Vitale L, Buzan D (2023) Influence of an industrial discharge on long-term dynamics of abiotic and biotic resources in Lavaca Bay, Texas, USA. Environ Monit Assess 195:40. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10661-022-10665-w","journal-title":"Environ Monit Assess"},{"key":"37918_CR29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"151","DOI":"10.1016\/0022-5193(70)90124-4","volume":"29","author":"K Hutcheson","year":"1970","unstructured":"Hutcheson K (1970) A test for comparing diversities based on the Shannon formula. J Theor Biol 29:151\u2013154","journal-title":"J Theor Biol"},{"key":"37918_CR30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"107","DOI":"10.1023\/A:1011464609142","volume":"8","author":"JL Hyland","year":"2000","unstructured":"Hyland JL, Balthis WL, Hackney CT, Posey M (2000) Sediment quality of North Carolina estuaries: an integrative assessment of sediment contamination, toxicity, and condition of benthic fauna. J Aquat Ecosyst Stress Rec 8:107\u2013124. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1023\/A:1011464609142","journal-title":"J Aquat Ecosyst Stress Rec"},{"key":"37918_CR31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Johns D, Pastorok RA, Ginn TC (1991) A sublethal sediment toxicity test using juvenile Neanthes sp. (Polychaeta: Nereidae). In:\u00a0Mayes MA, Barron MG (eds) Aquatic toxicology and risk assessment: fourteenth volume. ASTM STP 1124. American Society for Testing and Materials, pp 280-293","DOI":"10.1520\/STP23578S"},{"key":"37918_CR32","first-page":"49","volume":"32","author":"RD Kalke","year":"1991","unstructured":"Kalke RD, Montagna PA (1991) The effect of freshwater inflow on macrobenthos in the Lavaca River Delta and Upper Lavaca Bay, Texas. Contrib Mar Sci 32:49\u201371","journal-title":"Contrib Mar Sci"},{"issue":"1","key":"37918_CR33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"78","DOI":"10.1017\/S0376892902000061","volume":"29","author":"MJ Kennish","year":"2002","unstructured":"Kennish MJ (2002) Environmental threats and environmental future of estuaries. Environ Conserv 29(1):78\u2013107. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/S0376892902000061","journal-title":"Environ Conserv"},{"issue":"23","key":"37918_CR34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4199","DOI":"10.1021\/es9904484","volume":"33","author":"JS Khim","year":"1999","unstructured":"Khim JS, Kannan K, Villeneuve DL, Koh CH, Giesy JP (1999) Characterization and distribution of trace organic contaminants in sediment from Masan Bay, Korea. 1. Instrumental analysis. Environ Sci Technol 33(23):4199\u20134205. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/es9904484","journal-title":"Environ Sci Technol"},{"key":"37918_CR35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"118262","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envpol.2021.118262","volume":"292","author":"J Lee","year":"2022","unstructured":"Lee J, Khim JS (2022) Revisited a sediment quality triad approach in the Korean coastal waters: past research, current status, and future directions. Environ Pollut 292:118262. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.envpol.2021.118262","journal-title":"Environ Pollut"},{"key":"37918_CR36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1456717","DOI":"10.3389\/fmars.2024.1456717","volume":"11","author":"J Lloyd","year":"2024","unstructured":"Lloyd J, Lu K, Liu Z (2024) Investigating concentrations and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in South and Central Texas bays and estuaries along the Gulf of Mexico, USA. Front Mar Sci 11:1456717https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fmars.2024.1456717","journal-title":"Front Mar Sci"},{"key":"37918_CR37","first-page":"163","volume-title":"Porewater toxicity testing: biological, chemical, and ecological considerations","author":"ER Long","year":"2003","unstructured":"Long ER, Carr RS, Montagna PA (2003) Porewater toxicity tests: value as a component of sediment quality triad assessments. In: Carr RS, Nipper M (eds) Porewater toxicity testing: biological, chemical, and ecological considerations. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Press, Pensacola, FL, pp 163\u2013200"},{"key":"37918_CR38","volume-title":"Statistical Ecology","author":"JA Ludwig","year":"1988","unstructured":"Ludwig JA, Reynolds JF (1988) Statistical Ecology. John Wiley and Sons, New York"},{"key":"37918_CR39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"159","DOI":"10.2307\/1352729","volume":"20","author":"A Mannino","year":"1997","unstructured":"Mannino A, Montagna PA (1997) Small-scale spatial variation of macrobenthic community structure. Estuaries 20:159\u2013173. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2307\/1352729","journal-title":"Estuaries"},{"key":"37918_CR40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"116","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marenvres.2006.03.006","volume":"62","author":"T Manyin","year":"2006","unstructured":"Manyin T, Rowe CL (2006) Chronic exposure of Leptocheirus plumulosus to Baltimore Harbor sediment: bioenergetic and population-level effects. Mar Environ Res 62:116\u2013130. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.marenvres.2006.03.006","journal-title":"Mar Environ Res"},{"issue":"7","key":"37918_CR41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1751","DOI":"10.1897\/03-326","volume":"23","author":"BL McGee","year":"2004","unstructured":"McGee BL, Fisher DJ, Wright DA, Yonkos LT, Ziegler GP, Turley SD, Farrar JD, Moore DW, Bridges TS (2004) A field test and comparison of acute and chronic sediment toxicity tests with the estuarine amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus in Chesapeake Bay, USA. Environ Toxicol Chem 23(7):1751\u201361. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1897\/03-326","journal-title":"Environ Toxicol Chem"},{"key":"37918_CR42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"51","DOI":"10.1007\/s10661-008-0462-8","volume":"156","author":"BL McGee","year":"2009","unstructured":"McGee BL, Pinkney AE, Velinsky DJ, Ashley JT, Fisher DJ, Ferrington LC, Norberg-King TJ (2009) Using the sediment quality triad to characterize baseline conditions in the Anacostia River, Washington, DC, USA. Environ Monit Assess 156:51\u201367. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10661-008-0462-8","journal-title":"Environ Monit Assess"},{"issue":"2\u20133","key":"37918_CR43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"252","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2008.01.027","volume":"394","author":"C McPherson","year":"2008","unstructured":"McPherson C, Chapman PM, Adrian MH, Cooper L (2008) The importance of benthos in weight of evidence sediment assessments-a case study. Sci Total Environ 394(2\u20133):252\u2013264. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2008.01.027","journal-title":"Sci Total Environ"},{"key":"37918_CR44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Montagna P, Palmer TA, Pollack JB (2013). Hydrological changes and estuarine dynamics. SpringerBriefs 8:1\u201398. Springer Science & Business Media. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/978-1-4614-5833-3","DOI":"10.1007\/978-1-4614-5833-3"},{"key":"37918_CR45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"259","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-031-70882-4_11","volume-title":"Freshwater inflows to texas bays and estuaries: a regional-scale review, synthesis, and recommendations","author":"PA Montagna","year":"2025","unstructured":"Montagna PA, Kalke RD, Hyde LJ (2025) Effect of freshwater inflow on benthic infauna. In: Montagna PA, Douglas AR (eds) Freshwater inflows to texas bays and estuaries: a regional-scale review, synthesis, and recommendations. Springer, Cham, pp 259\u2013294. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/978-3-031-70882-4_11"},{"issue":"2","key":"37918_CR46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"323","DOI":"10.1897\/07-337R.1","volume":"27","author":"HB Moon","year":"2008","unstructured":"Moon HB, Choi HG, Lee PY, Ok G (2008) Congener\u2010specific characterization and sources of polychlorinated dibenzo\u2010p\u2010dioxins, dibenzofurans and dioxin\u2010like polychlorinated biphenyls in marine sediments from industrialized bays of Korea. Environ Toxicol Chem 27(2):323\u2013333. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1897\/07-337R.1","journal-title":"Environ Toxicol Chem"},{"key":"37918_CR47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"118495","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2025.118495","volume":"221","author":"A Mortuza","year":"2025","unstructured":"Mortuza A, Meese EN, Wharton M, Gahn B, Petersen LH, Quigg A, Wells RD, Kaiser K, Hala DC (2025) Comparing persistent (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls) and emerging nano (micro) plastics (NMPs) pollutant body-burdens in oysters and fish from Matagorda Bay (Texas, USA). Mar Pollut Bull 221:118495 https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2025.118495","journal-title":"Mar Pollut Bull"},{"key":"37918_CR48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"85","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-031-70882-4_4","volume-title":"Freshwater inflows to texas bays and estuaries: a regional-scale review, synthesis, and recommendations","author":"D Opdyke","year":"2025","unstructured":"Opdyke D, Hoffmann J, Montagna PA, Trungale JF (2025) Hydrology, circulation, and salinity. In: Montagna PA, Douglas AR (eds) Freshwater inflows to texas bays and estuaries: a regional-scale review, synthesis, and recommendations. Springer, Cham, pp 85\u2013142. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/978-3-031-70882-4_4"},{"key":"37918_CR49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"111","DOI":"10.1007\/s10750-015-2200-x","volume":"753","author":"TA Palmer","year":"2015","unstructured":"Palmer TA, Montagna PA (2015) Impacts of droughts and low flows on estuarine water quality and benthic fauna. Hydrobiologia 753:111\u2013129. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10750-015-2200-x","journal-title":"Hydrobiologia"},{"issue":"2","key":"37918_CR50","first-page":"77","volume":"5","author":"TH Pearson","year":"1976","unstructured":"Pearson TH, Rosenberg R (1976) A comparative study of the effects on the marine environment of wastes from cellulose industries in Scotland and Sweden. Ambio 5(2):77\u201379","journal-title":"Ambio"},{"key":"37918_CR51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ecolind.2008.01.005","volume":"9","author":"R Pinto","year":"2009","unstructured":"Pinto R, Patr\u00edcio J, Baeta A, Fath BD, Neto J-M, Marques J-C (2009) Review and evaluation of estuarine biotic indices to assess benthic condition. Ecol Ind 9:1\u201325. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ecolind.2008.01.005","journal-title":"Ecol Ind"},{"key":"37918_CR52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"32310","DOI":"10.1007\/s11356-021-12896-9","volume":"28","author":"EC Pisarski","year":"2021","unstructured":"Pisarski EC, Wirth EF, Pennington PL, Hartwell I, Shaddrix BS, Whitall DR, Apeti DA, Baker G (2021) Assessment of the efficacy of six field cleaning protocols for hydrocarbon quantification. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28:32310\u201332320. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11356-021-12896-9","journal-title":"Environ Sci Pollut Res"},{"key":"37918_CR53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Pollack JB, Palmer TA, Montagna PA (2011) Long-term trends in the response of benthic macrofauna to climate variability in the Lavaca-Colorado Estuary, Texas. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 436:67\u201380. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3354\/meps09267","DOI":"10.3354\/meps09267"},{"key":"37918_CR54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Reish DJ (1971) Effect of pollution abatement in Los Angeles Harbours. Mar Pollut Bull 2(5): 71\u201374. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/0025-326X(71)90226-8","DOI":"10.1016\/0025-326X(71)90226-8"},{"key":"37918_CR55","unstructured":"Reish DJ (1972) The use of marine invertebrates as indicators of varying degrees of marine pollution. Marine Pollut Sea Life, Fishing News Books, pp 203\u2013207"},{"issue":"6","key":"37918_CR56","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1135","DOI":"10.1002\/etc.5620160607","volume":"16","author":"AH Ringwood","year":"1997","unstructured":"Ringwood AH, DeLorenzo ME, Ross PE, Holland AF (1997) Interpretation of Microtox\u00ae solid-phase toxicity tests: The effects of sediment composition. Environ Toxicol Chem 16(6):1135\u20131140. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/etc.5620160607","journal-title":"Environ Toxicol Chem"},{"issue":"4","key":"37918_CR57","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"610","DOI":"10.1002\/ieam.191","volume":"8","author":"KJ Ritter","year":"2012","unstructured":"Ritter KJ, Bay SM, Smith RW, Field LJ (2012) Development and evaluation of sediment quality guidelines based on benthic macrofauna responses. Integr Environ Assess Manag 8(4):610\u2013624. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/ieam.191","journal-title":"Integr Environ Assess Manag"},{"key":"37918_CR58","volume-title":"The mathematical theory of communication","author":"CE Shannon","year":"1949","unstructured":"Shannon CE, Weaver W (1949) The mathematical theory of communication. Univ Illinois Press, Urbana, IL, USA"},{"key":"37918_CR59","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"139","DOI":"10.3354\/meps036139","volume":"36","author":"H Tsutsumi","year":"1987","unstructured":"Tsutsumi H (1987) Population dynamics of Capitella capitata (Polychaeta; Capitellidae) in an organically polluted cove. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 36:139\u2013149","journal-title":"Mar Ecol Prog Ser"},{"key":"37918_CR60","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"10","DOI":"10.1016\/j.seares.2015.04.001","volume":"102","author":"JR Tweedley","year":"2015","unstructured":"Tweedley JR, Warwick RM, Potter IC (2015) Can biotic indicators distinguish between natural and anthropogenic environmental stress in estuaries? J Sea Res 102:10\u201321. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.seares.2015.04.001","journal-title":"J Sea Res"},{"key":"37918_CR61","unstructured":"US Environmental Protection Agency (1993) Method 350.1:  Determination of ammonia nitrogen by semi-automated colorimetry, revision 2.0. EPA publication number 601R93007. https:\/\/nepis.epa.gov\/. Accessed\u00a08 Jun 2026"},{"key":"37918_CR62","unstructured":"US Environmental Protection Agency (1996) Ecological effects test guidelines OPPTS 850.1740 whole sediment acute toxicity- invertebrates, Marine. EPA publication number 712\u2013C\u201396\u2013355. https:\/\/nepis.epa.gov\/. Accessed\u00a08 Jun 2026"},{"key":"37918_CR63","unstructured":"US Environmental Protection Agency (2023). Alcoa (point comfort)\/Lavaca Bay superfund site profile. Retrieved from https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/superfund-redevelopment\/superfund-sites-reuse-texas. Accessed\u00a029 Apr 2026"},{"key":"37918_CR64","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"967","DOI":"10.1007\/s12237-015-0058-9","volume":"39","author":"AD Van Diggelen","year":"2016","unstructured":"Van Diggelen AD, Montagna PA (2016) Is salinity variability a benthic disturbance in estuaries? Estuar Coasts 39:967\u2013980. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s12237-015-0058-9","journal-title":"Estuar Coasts"},{"key":"37918_CR65","volume-title":"Matagorda Bay, Texas, its hydrography, ecology, and fishery resources","author":"GH Ward","year":"1980","unstructured":"Ward GH, Armstrong NE (1980) Matagorda Bay, Texas, its hydrography, ecology, and fishery resources. Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior"},{"key":"37918_CR66","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"301","DOI":"10.3354\/meps129301","volume":"129","author":"RM Warwick","year":"1995","unstructured":"Warwick RM, Clarke KR (1995) New biodiversity measures reveal a decrease in taxonomic distinctness with increasing stress. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 129:301\u2013305. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3354\/meps129301","journal-title":"Mar Ecol Prog Ser"},{"key":"37918_CR67","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"258","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ecolind.2008.01.005","volume":"55","author":"ML Zettler","year":"2007","unstructured":"Zettler ML, Schiedek D, Bobertz B (2007) Benthic biodiversity indices versus salinity gradient in the southern Baltic Sea. Mar Pollut Bull 55:258\u2013270. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ecolind.2008.01.005","journal-title":"Mar Pollut Bull"}],"container-title":["Environmental Science and Pollution Research"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s11356-026-37918-2.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s11356-026-37918-2","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s11356-026-37918-2.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]],"date-time":"2026-06-24T06:07:37Z","timestamp":1782281257000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1007\/s11356-026-37918-2"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,15]]},"references-count":67,"journal-issue":{"issue":"19","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,5]]}},"alternative-id":["37918"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11356-026-37918-2","relation":{},"ISSN":["1614-7499"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1614-7499","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,15]]},"assertion":[{"value":"6 October 2025","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"3 June 2026","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"15 June 2026","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"Not applicable.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics approval"}},{"value":"Not applicable.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent to participate"}},{"value":"Not applicable.","order":4,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent for publication"}},{"value":"The scientific results and conclusions are solely the responsibility of the award recipient and do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA.","order":5,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Disclaimer"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":6,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}]}}