|
(M/MF200) Comparison of the sensitivity of freshwater versus saltwater organisms to chemicals using the EAT 3 database. Eadsforth, C.1, Holt, M.2, Lemaire, P.3, Roman, G.4, Tencalla, F.5, Wierich, P.6, Webb, S.7, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ABSTRACT- Marine risk assessment methodologies are currently being developed within Europe (e.g. EU Technical Guidance Document, OSPAR). Among the numerous topics under debate is the determination of the marine PNEC and whether this can be derived from freshwater data. In an attempt to address this issue, the new ECETOC database (EAT 3) has been used to statistically compare freshwater (FW) and saltwater (SW) species sensitivities. Sensitivity ratios for FW and SW species were calculated for individual chemicals in order to compare the sensitivity of organisms from the same taxonomic groups (fish, invertebrates or algae). Comparisons were made for both acute EC50 and chronic/subchronic NOEC values, for disparate species (e.g. all fish) or paired species (i.e. the five most frequently tested species, including OECD species). Most of the FW/SW sensitivity ratios for fish (based on EC50 data) were within a factor of 10 with no apparent bias in sensitivity towards FW or SW species. For algae there was a narrower range of sensitivity ratios with no apparent bias in sensitivity. For invertebrates there was a much wider range in sensitivity ratios. More obvious trends were found if correlations were based on chemicals with specific classes or modes of actions (e.g. metals, pesticides). Overall, ecotoxicity responses of FW and SW biota correlated reasonably well, at least for the classical aquatic taxa, with no marked differences in sensitivity between FW and SW biota from all three trophic levels. There is, however, a requirement for further consideration of the relative sensitivities of additional marine taxonomic groups (e.g. molluscs, echinoderms). Key words: ecotoxicity, comparison, marine, freshwater |
