Confirming the species-sensitivity distribution concept for endosulfan using laboratory, mesocosm, and field data.
In Australia, water-quality trigger values for toxicants are derived using protective concentration values based on species-sensitivity distribution (SSD) curves. SSD curves are generally derived from laboratory data with an emphasis on using local or site-specific data. In this study, Australian and non-Australian laboratory-species based SSD curves were compared and the concept of species protection confirmed by comparison of laboratory-based SSD curves with local mesocosm experiments and field monitoring data. Acute LC50 data for the organochlorine pesticide endosulfan were used for these comparisons; SSD curves were fitted using the Burr type III distribution. SSD curves indicated that the sensitivities of Australian fish and arthropods were not significantly different from those of corresponding non-Australian taxa. Arthropod taxa in the mesocosm were less sensitive than taxa in laboratory tests, which suggests that laboratory-generated single-species data may be used to predict concentrations protective of semifield (mesocosm) systems. SSDs based on laboratory data were also protective of field populations.
Hose
G C
GC
Institute for Water and Environmental Resource Management, University of Technology, Sydney Westbourne St., Gore Hill, NSW 2065, Australia. grant.hose@uts.edu.au
Van den Brink
P J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D001181:Arthropods; D001315:Australia; D004726:Endosulfan / Q000633:toxicity*; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012016:Reference Values
D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007306:Insecticides; D004726:Endosulfan