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Issues in sediment toxicity and ecological risk assessment
Peter M Chapma1, Kay T Ho, Wayne R Munns
1EVS Environmental Consultants, North Vancouver, BC, Canada. pchapman@attglobal.net
Marine Pollution Bulletin
|July 26, 2002
Summary
Toxicity testing measures hazard, not risk, in sediment ecological risk assessment (ERA). Future ERAs need improved understanding of ecological processes and focus on population/community impacts.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA)
Background:
- Sediment toxicology and ERA are critical for environmental management.
- Key issues in defining, measuring, and applying toxicity data in ERA were discussed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the role of toxicity testing in sediment ERA.
- To identify scientific considerations for improving sediment ERA practices.
Main Methods:
- Facilitated workshop and roundtable discussion.
- Analysis of key issues in sediment toxicology and ERA.
Main Results:
- Toxicity testing measures hazard, not risk.
- Toxicity testing is essential and cannot be replaced by chemical analysis alone.
- Results require context from reference/baseline comparisons and appropriate test organisms.
Conclusions:
- Hazard does not equate to risk; toxicity must be linked to population/community responses.
- Future ERAs require better understanding of ecological mechanisms, variability, and population-level impacts.
- Addressing uncertainty and genotypic adaptations is crucial for robust risk estimates.