SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1985
STP36291S

Evaluation of a Site-Specific Water Quality Criterion for Pentachlorophenol Using Outdoor Experimental Streams

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An overview of a study to evaluate a site-specific water quality criterion for pentachlorophenol (PCP) in outdoor experimental streams is presented. The site-specific criterion was calculated from acute toxicity results for eight resident species and the relationship between acute and chronic toxicity of PCP. The PCP concentration expected to protect aquatic life (30-day average criterion concentration) was less than or equal to 48 µg/L. Outdoor experimental streams were subsequently dosed continuously for 84 days at 48, 144, and 432 µg PCP/L. Measurements of the biological structure and ecosystem processes within the exposure streams were compared to a control system. Effects on snails were found only at 432 µg/L, but effects on fish, periphyton, and system metabolism were found at 432, 144, and 48 µg/L. The small differences between the criteriondosed stream (48 µg/L) and the control stream may have been caused by PCP or interstream variation. The acceptability of this criterion concentration depends in part on the definition of protection of aquatic life and its uses.

Author Information

Hedtke, SF
Monticello Ecological Research Station, ERL-Duluth, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Monticello, Minn
Arthur, JW
Monticello Ecological Research Station, ERL-Duluth, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Monticello, Minn
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Details
Developed by Committee: E47
Pages: 551–564
DOI: 10.1520/STP36291S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4922-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0410-5