SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1981
STP34149S

A Risk Assessment of Toxicants to Aquatic Life Using Environmental Exposure Estimates and Laboratory Toxicity Data

Source

Laboratory toxicity data can be combined with computer migration and fate models to assess the risks of contaminants to aquatic life from point and nonpoint discharge sources. Environmental exposure to selected species is estimated from overland and in-stream transport modeling. A statistical code uses LC50 and maximum acceptable toxicant concentrations (MATC) data to predict the frequency and duration of dissolved contaminant concentrations that exceed median lethal and sublethal concentrations to the species of concern. Two pesticides, alachlor (an actual case) and toxaphene (a hypothetical case), are analyzed to demonstrate the hazard assessment process. The overall methodology provides a means of comparing relatively the toxic effects of different chemicals and also provides a framework for future fate and risk assessment studies.

Author Information

Parkhurst, MA
Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, Wash.
Onishi, Y
Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, Wash.
Olsen, AR
Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, Wash.
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Details
Developed by Committee: D19
Pages: 59–71
DOI: 10.1520/STP34149S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4803-1
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0799-1