The sediment quality guideline, ERL, is not a chemical concentration at the threshold of sediment toxicity.
While it is being used as such, the sediment quality guideline ERL (effects range low) is not a threshold of any chemical concentration in sediment at which the probability of toxicity shows an abrupt increase. Similarly, while it has been done, there is no basis for assuming that multiple concentrations above an ERL increase the probability of toxicity.
O'Connor
Thomas P
TP
NOAA N/SCI1, Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment, 1305 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA. tom.oconnor@noaa.gov
D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment
D004785:Environmental Pollutants