Author Description

This study is based on 264 data triplets consisting of suspended sediment concentration, duration of exposure, and severity of ill effect for fishes, with data taken from a comprehensive literature review. Supporting data extracted from the review include taxonomic group and species of fish, natural history, life history phase, and sediment particle size range. The study presents a meta-analytic synthesis of dose-response data, yielding six empirical equations that relate biological response of fish to duration of exposure and suspended sediment concentration. The six equations address various taxonomic groups of lotic, lentic, and estuarine fishes, life stages of species within those groups, and particle sizes of suspended sediments. The severity of ill effect expressed by the equations is delineated semi-quantitatively along a 15-point scale ranging from no effect to lethal consequences. The study also provides best available estimates of the onset of sub-lethal and lethal effects.