Supervising Scientist Division

Laboratory procedures for assessing effects of chemicals on aquatic animals

Technical Memorandum 42
Rippon GD and Chapman JC
Supervising Scientist, 1993
ISSN 0810-9532

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About the report

There is an increasing reliance in the protection of aquatic ecosystems on the assessment of biological impact. The type and frequency of assessment that is implemented depends on the philosophical approach of those parties involved in water management of any aquatic ecosystem. Laboratory-based toxicity testing is used to generate toxicity data for single chemicals and waste waters and is used to determine dilution rates of waste waters for regulatory purposes. These tests are also useful in post-impact studies in attempting to establish cause-effect relationships; any suspected perturbation of an ecosystem can be investigated using these tests to confirm the causative agent or process. They are also a valuable tool for establishing water quality criteria and play a large role in hazard and risk assessment. This paper discusses and gives examples of different aspects of laboratory toxicity tests using aquatic organisms. The importance of a systematic, tiered investigation with appropriate triggers, is highlighted.

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