Sediment Toxicity Assessment: Rationale for effect classes (5 pp)

摘要: Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Ulrich Forstner on his 65th birthday The main challenge in the application of biotests for hazard assessment sediments is a transparent interpretation, especially if combinations are applied and an integrated all results wanted. For decision making, assigning biotesting into different classes that indicate increasing hazards can be useful tool. In this paper we suggest approach how set up site-independent classification system sediment toxicity tests. About 250 samples were collected from two rivers evaluated. bioassays used standardized procedure over years. test battery include toxicological endpoints like nematode growth reproduction, algae growth, bacteria activity, luminescence inhibition. described emphasizes following steps: test-specific response spans each biotest subsequent interpretation inhibition values terms toxicity, estimation accuracy uncertainty systems, use cluster- k-means analyses order identify occurring pattern within large data base, followed by ranking. outcome 5 effect with potential hazard. represent result logical deduction. giving increased degree certainty. site independent ranking could monitoring facilitate fast interpretation. A database comprising differently contaminated precondition setting classes, because it essential know range effects variability methods. proposed then provide basic rules designing expert system.