title: Using risk-ranking of metals to identify which poses the greatest threat to freshwater organisms in the UK.
abstract: Freshwater aquatic organisms face the challenge of being exposed to a multitude of chemicals discharged by the human population. The objective of this study was to rank metals according to the threat they pose to aquatic organisms. This will contribute to a wider Chemical Strategy for freshwater which will risk-rank all chemicals based on their potential risk to wildlife in a UK setting. The method involved comparing information on ecotoxicological thresholds with measured concentrations in rivers. The bioconcentration factor was also considered as a ranking method. The metals; Ag, Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, were analysed using this approach. Triclosan and lindane were used as comparative organic pollutants. Using a range of ranking techniques, Cu, Al and Zn came top of the list of concern, with Cu coming first.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 8BB, UK. Electronic address: racdon@ceh.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Rachel L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Donnachie
authors.affiliation: Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 8BB, UK. Electronic address: ajo@ceh.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Andrew C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK. Electronic address: cldeck@ceh.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moeckel
authors.affiliation: Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK. Electronic address: mdgds@ceh.ac.uk.
authors.forename: M Glória
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Institute for the Environment, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK. Electronic address: John.sumpter@brunel.ac.uk.
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Sumpter
mesh_terms: D059001:Aquatic Organisms; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification / Q000633:toxicity*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Chemicals; Copper; Freshwater; Metals; Ranking