Field evaluation of predictions of environmental effects from a multispecies-microcosm toxicity test

The predictive validity of a multispecies-microcosm toxicity test was evaluated. Predictions of biological response to a complex effluent were made from dose-response curves in laboratory tests and compared to observed effects in the receiving system. No effects on protozoan or macroinvertebrate com...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology 1990-01, Vol.19 (1), p.62-71
Main Authors: Niederlehner, B.R. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA), Pontasch, K.W, Pratt, J.R, Cairns, J. Jr
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AMBIENTE ACUATICO
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Applied ecology
AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT
Biological and medical sciences
CONTAMINACION
Crustacea - physiology
DECHET LIQUIDE
DESECHOS LIQUIDOS
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
EFFLUENTS
ENSAYO
Environmental Pollutants - toxicity
Eukaryota - physiology
EVALUACION
EVALUATION
FORECASTING
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects
Invertebrates - physiology
LIQUID WASTES
MILIEU AQUATIQUE
POLLUTION
PREVISION
PRONOSTICO
TESTAGE
TESTING
TOXICIDAD
TOXICITE
TOXICITY
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
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Summary:The predictive validity of a multispecies-microcosm toxicity test was evaluated. Predictions of biological response to a complex effluent were made from dose-response curves in laboratory tests and compared to observed effects in the receiving system. No effects on protozoan or macroinvertebrate communities were observed at the field site with effluent concentrations less than the chronic value of 1.7% effluent determined in laboratory tests. In addition, the microcosm test accurately predicted the magnitude of decreases in species richness in protozoan and macroinvetebrate communities in the receiving system at the first downstream site. Predictions of environmental effects for stations farther downstream were generally less accurate and too high, perhaps due to lack of persistence in the toxicity of the effluent. Stimulation of total biomass and algal growth were observed in both laboratory and field tests, but laboratory tests greatly overestimated the magnitude of enrichment responses in the receiving system.
ISSN:0090-4341
1432-0703
DOI:10.1007/bf01059813