Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1021/es4014954
Title (Primary) How to characterize chemical exposure to predict ecologic effects on aquatic communities?
Author Schäfer, R.B.; Gerner, N.V.; Kefford, B.J.; Rasmussen, J.J.; Beketov, M.A.; de Zwart, D.; Liess, M.; von der Ohe, P.C.
Source Titel Environmental Science & Technology
Year 2013
Department WANA; OEKOTOX
Volume 47
Issue 14
Page From 7996
Page To 8004
Language englisch
UFZ wide themes RU3;
Abstract

Reliable characterization of exposure is indispensable for ecological risk assessment of chemicals. To deal with mixtures, several approaches have been developed, but their relevance for predicting ecological effects on communities in the field has not been elucidated. In the present study, we compared nine metrics designed for estimating the total toxicity of mixtures regarding their relationship with an effect metric for stream macroinvertebrates. This was done using monitoring data of biota and organic chemicals, mainly pesticides, from five studies comprising 102 streams in several regions of Europe and South-East Australia. Mixtures of less than 10 pesticides per water sample were most common for concurrent exposure. Exposure metrics based on the 5% fraction of a species sensitivity distribution performed best, closely followed by metrics based on the most sensitive species and Daphnia magna as benchmark. Considering only the compound with the highest toxicity and ignoring mixture toxicity was sufficient to estimate toxicity in predominantly agricultural regions with pesticide exposure. The multisubstance Potentially Affected Fraction (msPAF) that combines concentration and response addition was advantageous in the study where further organic toxicants occurred. We give recommendations on exposure metric selection depending on data availability and the involved compounds.

Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=13857
Schäfer, R.B., Gerner, N.V., Kefford, B.J., Rasmussen, J.J., Beketov, M.A., de Zwart, D., Liess, M., von der Ohe, P.C. (2013):
How to characterize chemical exposure to predict ecologic effects on aquatic communities?
Environ. Sci. Technol. 47 (14), 7996 - 8004 10.1021/es4014954