Water quality standards for the protection of saltwater
life for List II substances
|
Parameter
|
Unit
|
Water Quality Standard
(see footnotes)
|
Uncertainties in the derivation
: Details obtained from the relevant EQS derivation
reports
|
| Lead |
µg Pb/l
|
25 AD1,5
|
The
preliminary EQS was multiplied by a factor of
2 to account for overestimation of Pb toxicity
in laboratory studies compared to the field
environment. The EQS was considered tentative
as a result of the paucity of reliable data,
in particular for sub-lethal chronic studies
with invertebrates and fish, and for field studies. |
| Chromium |
µg Cr/l
|
15 AD1,5
|
There
were limited data on the sub-lethal effect of
Cr and long-term exposure to freshwater and
saltwater life. Separate standards for different
Chronium valences (Cr(VI) and Cr(III)) were
not recommended as a consequence of the lack
of data for Cr(III). In addition, a comparison
of the toxicities of each oxidation state was
not possible. Some data were available that
indicated higher sensitivity of some saltwater
organisms to low salinities. The EQS was based
on data generated at salinities typical of normal
seawater. Therefore, further research on the
effect of Cr at lower salinities was recommended. |
| Zinc |
µg Zn/l
|
40 AD1,5
|
The
dataset available for the toxicity of Zn to
saltwater life illustrated that at the EQS,
adverse effects on algal growth had been reported.
However, it was considered that there was currently
insufficient evidence to suggest that the EQS
would not adequately protect saltwater communities. |
| Copper |
µg Cu/l
|
5 AD1
|
Further
data were considered necessary on the sensitivity
of early life stages and life-cycle tests to
confirm the sensitivity of saltwater life. |
| Nickel |
µg Ni/l
|
30AD1
|
Marine
algae were reported to be adversely affected
by Ni at concentrations as low as 0.6 _g l-1
which is below the EQS to protect saltwater
life However, it was considered that there was
insufficient evidence to justify a lower EQS
based solely on results with algae and that
further research into this area was desirable.
There was also limited evidence to suggest that
invertebrates in estuarine systems may be more
susceptible to the effects of Ni than invertebrates
in marine systems. Thus, an EQS to protect estuarine
life may be needed in future when further data
become available. |
| Arsenic |
µg As/l
|
25AD2
|
Based
on crab 96 hour LC50, and an extrapolation factor
of 10 applied. Standards may need to be more
stringent where sensitive algal species are
important features of the ecosystem |
| Boron |
µg B/l
|
7000 AT1
|
Few
data available. However the standard was based
on Dab 96 hour LC50, with an extrapolation factor
of 10 applied |
| Iron |
µgFe/l
|
1000AD1,5
|
The
EQS for the protection of saltwater life was
based on observed concentrations and general
assessments of water quality. It was recommended,
therefore, that the standard should be reviewed
as soon as direct observations of water concentrations
and biological status become available. Limited
data did not allow an assessment of the importance
of Fe species. |
| Vanadium |
µgV/l
|
100 AT1
|
Data
on the toxicity of vanadium on saltwater life
were limited. As there were limited data for
vanadium, it was not possible to recommend standards
based on dissolved concentrations or separate
standards for migratory fish. With regard to
the latter, it may be necessary to base judgement
of any risk in applying the EQS on knowledge
of local risks and circumstances. |
| Tributyltin |
µg/l
|
0.002 MT2
|
The
standards for TBT weres tentative to reflect
a combination of the lack of environmental data,
toxicity data or data relating to the behaviour
of organotins in the environment. |
| Triphenyltin
(and its derivatives) |
µg/l
|
0.008 MT2
|
The
standards for TPT were tentative to reflect
a combination of the lack of environmental and
toxicity data or data relating to the behaviour
of organotins in the environment. |
| PCSDs |
µg/l
|
0.05 PT1
|
In
view of the lack of data for the mothproofing
agents, both from laboratory and field studies,
the EQSs were reported as tentative values. |
| Cyfluthrin |
µg /l
|
0.001 PT1
|
In
view of the lack of data for the mothproofing
agents, both from laboratory and field studies,
the EQSs were reported as tentative values |
| Sulcofuron |
µg /l
|
25 PT1
|
As
a consequence of the general paucity of data
for the mothproofing agents, both from laboratory
and field studies, the EQSs were reported as
tentative values. The data for sulcofuron suggested
that embryonic stages for saltwater invertebrates
could be more sensitive than freshwater species
and, therefore, the EQS for the protection of
marine life, derived from the freshwater value,
may need to be lower. |
| Flucofuron |
µg /l
|
1.0 PT1
|
In
view of the lack of data for the mothproofing
agents, both from laboratory and field studies,
the EQSs were based on freshwater values. |
| Permethrin |
µg /l
|
0.01 PT1
|
In
view of the lack of data for the mothproofing
agents, both from laboratory and field studies,
the EQSs were reported as tentative values. |
| Atrazine
and Simazine |
µg /l
|
2 AA2 ; 10 MAC4
|
The
EQSs for the protection of saltwater life were
proposed as combined atrazine/simazine to take
account of the likely additive effects when
present together in the environment. |
| Azinphos-methyl |
µg /l
|
0.01AA2 ; 0.04
MAC4
|
In
view of the relatively high soil organic carbon
sorption coefficient, it is likely that a significant
fraction of the pesticide present in the aquatic
environment will be adsorbed onto sediments
or suspended solids. However, it is likely that
this form will be less bioavailable to most
aquatic organisms. As the adsorbed pesticide
is more persistent than the dissolved fraction,
it is possible that levels may build up that
are harmful to benthic organisms. Insufficient
information on saltwater organisms was available
to propose a standard. In view of the paucity
of data, the standards to protect freshwater
life were adopted to protect saltwater life. |
| Dichlorvos |
µg /l
|
0.04 AA and 0.6 MAC2
|
Based
on data for sensitive crustaceans |
| Endosulphan |
µg /l
|
0.003 AA2
|
There
is little evidence on the ultimate fate of endosulfan
and its metabolites or degradation products
in sediments and on any effects on freshwater
benthic organisms. Consequently, it is possible
that some sediment-dwelling organisms, such
as crustaceans, may be at risk. |
| Fenitrothion |
µg /l
|
0.01 AA2; 0.25
MAC4
|
As
there were limited data with which to derive
EQSs to protect saltwater life, the freshwater
values were adopted. However, the annual average
for the protection of freshwater life may be
unnecessarily stringent in view of the uncertainties
associated with the acute toxicity data used
in its derivation. The uncertainties exist because
the original sources were unavailable for certain
studies. Lack of confirmatory data existed in
the published literature and data for warm water
species were considered in the derivation. |
| Malathion |
µg /l
|
0.02AA2 ; 0.5MAC4
|
It
was recommended that further investigation for
both field and laboratory conditions into the
effects of malathion on crustaceans and insects
and on UK Gammarus species, in particular,
should be carried out. |
| Trifluralin |
µg /l
|
0.1AA2; 20 MAC4
|
None
mentioned with regard to the annual mean. |
| 4-chloro-3-methyl
phenol |
µg /l
|
40 AA3; 200 MAC4
|
Insufficient
saltwater data were available to propose a standard.
Therefore, the standard was based on freshwater
value. |
| 2-chlorophenol |
µg /l
|
50 AA3 ; 250 MAC4
|
Insufficient
saltwater data were available to propose a standard.
Therefore, the standard was based on freshwater
value. |
| 2,4-dichlorophenol |
µg /l
|
20 AA3; 140 MAC4
|
Insufficient
saltwater data were available to propose a standard.
Therefore, the standard was based on freshwater
value. |
| 2,4D
(ester) |
µg
/l
|
1 AA3; 10 MAC4
|
For
the EQS proposed for 2,4-D esters, comparison
of the data and derivation of standards were
complicated by the number of esters and organisms
for which studies were available. In addition,
the toxicity of the esters may have been underestimated
in some of the studies due to their hydrolysis.
There were limited data on the toxicity of 2,4-D
ester to saltwater life. Consequently, the freshwater
value was adopted until further data become
available. |
| 2,4D |
µg /l
|
40 AA3; 200 MAC4
|
There
were limited data on the toxicity of 2,4-D non-ester
to saltwater life. Consequently, the freshwater
value was adopted until further data become
available. |
| 1,1,1
trichloroethane |
µg /l
|
100 AA3; 1000 MAC4
|
The
1,1,1-TCA dataset available for freshwater species
contained comparatively few studies where test
concentrations were measured and, consequently,
comparison of studies using measured concentrations
vs. those using nominal values indicated that
data from the latter type of study could be
misleading. |
| 1,1,2-trichloroethane |
µg /l
|
300 AA3; 3000 MAC4
|
For
1,1,2-TCA, few data were available on chronic
toxicity to freshwater fish. There were limited
data on the toxicity of 1,1,2-TCA to saltwater
life and, consequently, the EQS to protect freshwater
life was adopted. |
| Bentazone |
µg /l
|
500 AA3; 5000 MAC4
|
In
view of the relatively high soil organic carbon
sorption coefficient, it is likely that a significant
fraction of the pesticide present in the aquatic
environment will be adsorbed onto sediments
or suspended solids. However, it is likely that
this form will be less bioavailable to most
aquatic organisms. As the adsorbed pesticide
is more persistent than the dissolved fraction,
it is possible that levels may build up that
are harmful to benthic organisms. Insufficient
information on saltwater organisms was available
to propose a standard. In view of the paucity
of data, the standards to protect freshwater
life were adopted to protect saltwater life. |
| Benzene |
µg /l
|
30 AA3; 300 MAC4
|
Limited
and uncertain chronic data available. |
| Biphenyl |
µg /l
|
25 AA3
|
The
data available for marine organisms were considered
inadequate to derive an EQS for the protection
of marine life. However, the reported studies
for saltwater organisms indicate that the EQS
for freshwater life will provide adequate protection. |
| Chloronitrotoluenes |
µg /l
|
10 AA3; 100 MAC4
|
The
dataset used to derive the EQS to protect freshwater
life was limited. Toxicity data were available
for comparatively few species and there was
limited information on the bioaccumulation potential
of the isomers. There were few chronic studies
available to allow the assessment of the long
term impact of CNTs. There were no reliable
data for the toxicity to or bioaccumulation
of CNTs by saltwater species and, therefore,
the EQSs proposed for freshwater life were adopted. |
| Demeton |
µg /l
|
0.5 AA3; 5 MAC4
|
Insufficient
saltwater data were available to propose a standard.
Therefore, the standard was based on freshwater
value. |
| Dimethoate |
µg /l
|
1 AA3
|
The
available data for marine organisms were considered
inadequate to derive an EQS for the protection
of marine life. Crustaceans were considered
to be the most sensitive organisms, but more
data are required to confirm this. In view of
the uncertainties associated with the marine
toxicity dataset, the freshwater EQS was adopted.
This was based on the toxicity of dimethoate
to insects. Although there are no marine insects,
there is some evidence that marine organisms
are more sensitive than their freshwater counterparts. |
| Linuron |
µg /l
|
2 AA3
|
In
view of the lack of data for saltwater life,
the EQS proposed for the protection of freshwater
life was adopted until further data become available. |
| Mecoprop |
µg /l
|
20 AA3; 200 MAC4
|
There
were limited data relating to the toxicity of
mecoprop to aquatic life. The dataset for saltwater
life comprised data for one marine alga, a brackish
invertebrate and a brackish fish. Consequently,
the freshwater values were adopted until further
data become available. |
| Naphthalene |
µg /l
|
5 AA3; 80 MAC4
|
Limited
and uncertain chronic data available. |
| Toluene |
µg /l
|
40 AA3; 400 MAC4
|
The
dataset used to derive the EQS to protect saltwater
life relied on static tests without analysis
of exposure concentrations. Consequently, the
derived values are considered tentative until
further data from flow-though tests with analysed
concentrations become available. |
| Triazophos |
µg /l
|
0.005 AA3; 0.5
MAC4
|
The
dataset available for freshwater life was limited
to a few studies on algae, crustaceans and fish.
No information was available for the target
organisms (insects), on different life-stages
or on its bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms.
There were no data on the toxicity to or bioaccumulation
of triazophos in saltwater organisms. Consequently,
the EQSs to protect freshwater life were adopted
until further data become available. |
| Xylene |
µg /l
|
30 AA3; 300 MAC4
|
Limited
information available. Freshwater data used
to '
back up' the standards. |
Substances are listed in the order of publication
of Directives.
