Utility and relevance of aquatic oligochaetes in Ecological Risk Assessment

摘要: Ecological risk assessment (EcoRA) provides both a process and framework to evaluate the potential for adverse ecological effects occurring as result of exposure contaminants or other stressors. EcoRA begins with problem formulation/hazard identification, progresses assessment, culminates characterization (an estimate incidence severity any likely occur). Key components include determining: stressors/contaminants concern; sensitive, exposed biota; and, appropriate tests organisms evaluating effects. Aquatic oligochaetes are not generally used directly in because three major perceptions. First, personnel familiar comfortable using this group organisms. Second, there is believed be paucity widely accepted toxicity these Third, their taxonomy considered difficult uncertain. In fact, aquatic potentially have great utility relevance EcoRAs factors including: importance food chain (e.g. prey fauna including fish waterfowl; vector contaminant movement through from bacteria); many species distributed well studied; representatives fresh, estuarine marine species; group, they range sensitive insensitive over wide environmental insults; long history use pollution monitoring assessment; relevant biaccumulation exist. Toxicity testing under defined conditions formulation while more realistic microcosms) logistically easier than others due relatively small size. The EcoRA, particular sediments, particularly compelling.