Short‐Term Guideline Values for Chlorine in Freshwaters

The current Australian and New Zealand default guideline value of 3 µg Cl/L for total residual chlorine in freshwaters is largely based on acute data converted to chronic data using a default acute to chronic ratio of 10, without consideration of chlorine decomposition. Given the rapid decomposition...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental toxicology and chemistry 2021-05, Vol.40 (5), p.1341-1352
Main Authors: Batley, Graeme E., Adams, Merrin S., Simpson, Stuart L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chlorine
Continuous flow
Dechlorination
Decomposition
Drinking water
Ecotoxicity
Fresh water
Geographical distribution
Protected species
Receiving waters
Residual chlorine
Short‐term guideline value
Total residual chlorine
Toxicity testing
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Summary:The current Australian and New Zealand default guideline value of 3 µg Cl/L for total residual chlorine in freshwaters is largely based on acute data converted to chronic data using a default acute to chronic ratio of 10, without consideration of chlorine decomposition. Given the rapid decomposition of chlorine, initially as hypochlorite and then as chloramine, it is appropriate to consider a guideline value based on short‐term (acute) toxicity rather than one based on longer‐term chronic data, as has been recommended for chlorine in marine waters. The literature on the fate of chlorine in drinking water discharged to freshwaters and on the ecotoxicity of total residual chlorine has been reviewed, and on the basis of this, revised default guideline values were derived for both hypochlorite and chloramine in freshwater using a species sensitivity distribution of toxicity data. The values for 95% species protection were 7 and 9 µg Cl/L as total residual chlorine, respectively. The former would apply to any total residual chlorine‐containing effluent, but in the case of drinking water where dechlorination has been undertaken, the chloramine‐based default guideline value is likely to be more appropriate. Both are likely to be conservative because they were largely based on toxicity testing under continuous flow‐through conditions. They will apply at the edge of the mixing zone, and the variable receiving water concentration at this point might best be determined from a time‐weighted average total residual chlorine concentration. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1341–1352. © 2021 SETAC
ISSN:0730-7268
1552-8618
DOI:10.1002/etc.4984