Ecological Risk Assessment Screening Benchmarks
Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) Screening Benchmarks
- s
- ERA Screening Benchmarks
- US Government (US EPA, USGS, USACE, NOAA, Oak Ridge National Laboratory)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- US States Guidance and Benchmarks
- Canada & Europe
- Other
This page includes references and links to various documents that provide information on deriving screening benchmarks (See Step 2 of the 8-Step Ecological Risk Assessment process) and other aspects of ecological risk assessment, such as assessing risk due to 2,3,7,8-TCDD. It also includes links to selected sources of screening benchmarks that are used in the Ecological Risk Assessment process.
When using calculations (Hazard Quotients) to help determine ecological risk by a particular Contaminant of Potential Ecological Concern (COPEC), the following steps are generally performed in Ecological Risk Assessments (ERAs).
- Results of the chemical analyses of the samples collected during the inspection are reviewed.
- COPECs are selected based on concentrations determined from on-site samples versus generic ecological screening benchmarks.
- If the maximum concentration of a sample exceeded the benchmark (or Toxicity Reference Value; TRV), thus resulting in a Hazard Quotient of at least one, then the contaminant was considered to be a COPEC and is retained in ERA for additional analysis.
A Hazard Quotient is the ratio between the measured concentration and the selected screening benchmark or TRV. A result of one or greater suggests the possibility of ecological risk (See Step 2 for additional information).
Summary of Selected Screening Benchmark Numbers:
These links provide information that may be useful in preparing an ecological risk assessment. This is not a comprehensive list, merely a sampling of the numerous sources of screening numbers that are available for Ecological Risk Assessments. Also included are several sources of guidance on the derivation of benchmarks and the screening portion of the risk assessment process.
US EPA Region 5 makes no promise that the information presented therein is correct. Always be sure to consult with a Regional Superfund ecologist to verify that the use of any and all toxicity values and life history information is acceptable. References and links via this webpage are not endorsements of the information on those websites.
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US EPA | ||
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Sediment Quality Guidelines
Media: Sediment Contaminants: MultipleLinks to multiple web sites |
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Memo on Ecological Screening Benchmarks
Media: Sediment, soil Contaminants: Multiple Discussion of various sources of sediment and soil ecological screening values; includes annotated links; written by Region 5 Ecologist, James Chapman. |
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Sediment Toxicity Handbook
Media: Sediment Contaminants: Multiple Compilation of sediment toxicity fact sheets |
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Prediction of sediment toxicity
Media: Sediment Contaminants: Multiple The primary objectives of this study were to: (1) evaluate the ability of consensus-based SQGs (sediment quality guidelines) to predict toxicity in a freshwater database for field-collected sediments in the Great Lakes basin; (2) evaluate the ability of SQGs to predict sediment toxicity on a regional geographic basis elsewhere in North America; and (3) compare approaches for evaluating the combined effects of chemical mixtures on the toxicity of field-collected sediments. A database was developed from 92 published reports which included a total of 1657 samples with high-quality matching sediment toxicity and chemistry data. |
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Assessment of 2,3,7,8-TCDD
Media: Surface water, aquatic life and associated wildlife Contaminants: 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin Description coming |
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US EPA EcoUpdate - Ecotox Thresholds
Media: Surface water; sediment Contaminants: PCBs and pestcides; PAHs and other organics; inorganics Brief guidance, equations, Toxicity Reference Values (TRVs):screening values for sediment and surface water toxicity;website also has program for performing screening calculations. |
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US EPA Equilibrium Partitioning Sediment Benchmarks (ESBs):
Dieldrin
Media: Sediment, benthic organisms Contaminants: Dieldrin This equilibrium partitioning sediment benchmark (ESB) document describes procedures to derive concentrations of the insecticide dieldrin in sediment which are protective of the presence of benthic organisms. The equilibrium partitioning (EqP) approach was chosen because it accounts for the varying biological availability of chemicals in different sediments and allows for the incorporation of the appropriate biological effects concentration. This provides for the derivation of benchmarks that are causally linked to the specific chemical, applicable across sediments, and appropriately protective of benthic organisms. |
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US EPA Equilibrium Partitioning Sediment Benchmarks (ESBs):
Endrin
Media: Sediment, benthic organisms Contaminants: Endrin This equilibrium partitioning sediment benchmark (ESB) document describes procedures to derive concentrations of the insecticide Endrin in sediment which are protective of the presence of benthic organisms. The equilibrium partitioning (EqP) approach was chosen because it accounts for the varying biological availability of chemicals in different sediments and allows for the incorporation of the appropriate biological effects concentration. This provides for the derivation of benchmarks that are causally linked to the specific chemical, applicable across sediments, and appropriately protective of benthic organisms. |
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US EPA Equilibrium Partitioning Sediment Benchmarks (ESBs):
PAH Mixtures
Media: Sediment, benthic organisms Contaminants: PAH Mixtures This equilibrium partitioning sediment benchmark (ESB) document describes procedures to derive concentrations of PAH mixtures in sediment which are protective of the presence of benthic organisms. The equilibrium partitioning (EqP) approach was chosen because it accounts for the varying biological availability of chemicals in different sediments and allows for the incorporation of the appropriate biological effects concentration. This provides for the derivation of benchmarks that are causally linked to the specific chemical, applicable across sediments, and appropriately protective of benthic organisms. |
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration (NOAA) | ||
NOAA Utility of AVS/EqP
Media: Sediment Contaminants: Multiple A discussion of two techniques, the equilibrium partitioning (EqP) method and the acid volatile sulfides (AVS) method, that provide another approach to estimating ecological impacts of toxic contaminants in sediment. View, download, or print the full paper in PDF format. |
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NOAA Sediment Guidelines
Media: Sediment Contaminants: Multiple Links to NOAA sediment guideline webpp. |
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NOAA SQuiRTs
Media: Sediment, surface water, soil Contaminants: all types NOAA has developed a set of Screening Quick Reference Tables, or Squirts, that present screening concentrations for inorganic and organic contaminants in various environmental media (water, sediment, and soil). The Squirts also include guidelines for preserving samples and analytical technique options. |
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NOAA Biological effects of contaminants in sediments
Media: Sediment Contaminants: Multiple Description coming |
U.S. EPA Benchmarks |
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Ecological Soil Screening Levels (Eco-SSLs)
Media: Soil Contaminants: Pesticides; inorganics; Pending: PAHs, additional pesticides, additional inorganics The Ecological Soil Screening Level (Eco-SSL) derivation process represents the collaborative effort of a multi-stakeholder workgroup consisting of federal, state, consulting, industry and academic participants led by the U.S. EPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response. It is emphasized that the Eco-SSLs are soil screening numbers, and as such are not appropriate for use as cleanup levels. Screening ecotoxicity values are derived to avoid underestimating risk. Requiring a cleanup based solely on Eco-SSL values would not be technically defensible. The Eco-SSL web site provides an overview of the contaminant. Separate discussions are provided for each receptor group including a comprehensive list of literature evaluated under the effort, and a summary of data used in deriving Eco-SSL values. |
U.S. EPA ARCS
Media: Sediment Contaminants: PCBs and pestcides?; PAHs and other organics; inorganics U.S. EPA Assessment and Remediation of Contaminated Sediments (ARCS) Program. The representative effect concentration selected from among the high no-effect-concentrations for Hyalella azteca and Chironomus riparius are presented in EPA (1996) based on the ranking method presented in Jones et al. (1997). The majority of the data are for freshwater sediments. |
U.S. EPA - National Water Quality Criteria
Media: Surface water Contaminants: PCBs and pestcides; PAHs and other organics; inorganics Values are available for freshwater, saltwater, human consumption; inorganics, organics, pesticides, PCBs |
U.S. EPA Region 3 Ecological Risk Assessment Page
Media: Marine and freshwater sediment, surface water Contaminants: PCBs and pestcides; PAHs and other organics; inorganics The tables include compounds for which benchmark values have been established or that are considered bioaccumulative compounds (identified in tables). For additional information on compounds for which no benchmarks are identified and the use of alternate values, please consult the Region 3 Biological Technical Assistance Group (BTAG) FAQs specific to these subjects. |
U.S. EPA Region 4 Screening Benchmarks
Media: Soil, sediment, surface water Contaminants: PCBs and pestcides; PAHs and other organics; inorganics The Region 4 surface water screening values were obtained from Water Quality Criteria documents and represent the chronic ambient water quality criteria values for the protection of aquatic life. They are intended to protect 95% of the species, 95% of the time. For sediments, these are the higher of two values, the EPA Contract Laboratory Program Practical Quantitation Limit and the Effects Value, which is the lower of the ERL and the TEL. These are possible effects benchmarks. |
U.S. EPA Region 5 Ecological Screening Levels
Media: Soil, sediment, surface water Contaminants: PCBs and pestcides; PAHs and other organics; inorganics Formerly known as Environmental Data Quality Levels (EDQLs), the ESLs are are media-specific (soil, water, sediment, and air) values that can be used for initial screening levels to use in ecological risk assessments; includes values for inorganics, organics, pesticides, and PCBs. They are not intended to serve as cleanup levels. |
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (U.S. ACE) / U.S. EPA ERAD
Media: Wildlife Contaminants: Multiple Environmental Residue-Effects Database (ERAD); tissue residues |
U.S. EPA EcoUpdate - Ecotox Thresholds
Media: Sediment, surface water Contaminants: PCBs and pestcides; PAHs and other organics; inorganics Brief guidance, equations, Toxicity Reference Values (TRVs):screening values for sediment and surface water toxicity;website also has program for performing screening calculations. |
National Oceanic and Atomspheric Administration (NOAA) Benchmarks |
NOAA Sediment Quality Guidelines (NOAA - SQG)
Media: Sediment Contaminants: Multiple National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Sediment Quality Guidelines. "The SQGs were intended for use in ranking areas that may be adversely affected by contamination and ranking chemicals that might be of potential concern. They are only intended for interpretation of chemical data from analysis of sediments, not regulatory, clean-up, action-trigger, or remedial target levels." |
NOAA SQuiRTs
Media: Sediment, surface water, soil Contaminants: Multiple National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has developed a set of Screening Quick Reference Tables, or Squirts, that present screening concentrations for inorganic and organic contaminants in various environmental media (water, sediment, and soil). The Squirts also include guidelines for preserving samples and analytical technique options. |
U.S. Geological Survey |
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Acute Toxicity Database
Media: (all) Contaminants: Multiple Screening numbers developed for acute exposure by the USGS. Sediment Effects Concentrations. SECs are defined as the concentrations of individual contaminants in sediment below which toxicity is rarely observed and above which toxicity is frequently observed. Three types of SECs were calculated for Hyalella azteca and for Chironomus riparius: (1) Effect Range Low (ERL) and Effect Range Median (ERM), (2) Threshold Effect Level (TEL) and Probable Effect Level (PEL), and (3) No Effect Concentration (NEC; analogous to Apparent Effect Thresholds). |
Oak Ridge National Laboratory |
Oak Ridge National Laboratory Guidance Tools and Applications
Media: Sediment, soil, surface water, wildlife Contaminants: PCBs, pesticides, PAHs, other organics, inorganics; Includes screening benchmark reports for media (soil, sediments, and surface water) and wildlife and other guidance. Topics covered include aquatic biota; soil invertebrates; wildlife; terrestrial plants; sediments; bioaccumulation; exposure models; ecological risk assessment (ERA) guidance; preliminary remediation goals (PRGs); radiation exposure. |
World Health Organization (WHO) |
World Health Organization Toxicity Equivalency Factors (WHO
TEFs)
Media: Wildlife Contaminants: PCBs and pestcides; Guidance on the application of Toxic Equivalency Factors; TEFs are used to help determine the relative toxicity of certain types of pesticides when compared to 2,3,7,8-TCDD. |
Canadian and European Benchmarks |
Canadian Quality Guidelines
Media: Sediment, soil, surface water, wildlife Contaminants: PCBs and pestcides; PAHs and other organics; inorganics; Procedures developed by the Canadian government for developing site-specific screening numbers for all media: water, sediment, and soil, and tissue. |
EEC Water Quality Objectives
Media: Surface water Contaminants: PCBs and pestcides; PAHs and other organics |
Netherlands
Media: Soil, ground water Contaminants: PCBs and pestcides; inorganics; European screening numbers for soil, groundwater; Target Values for soil are related to negligible risk for ecosystems. This is assumed to be 1% of the Maximal Permissible Risk (MPR) level for ecosystems, where MPR is the concentration expected to be hazardous for 5% of the species in the ecosystem, or the 95% protection level. For metals, background concentrations are taken into account in arriving at a value. |
Netherlands
Media: Surface water; soil; sediments Contaminants: Metals Maximum Permissible Concentrations (MPCs) and Negligible Concentrations (NCs) have been derived for a series of heavy metals |
Spain
Media: Soil Contaminants: Multiple Basque Country |
Other Sources of Screening Benchmarks |
Consensus-based sediment quality guidelines for freshwater
ecosystems.
Media: Sediment Contaminants: PCBs and pestcides; PAHs and other organics; inorganics Abstract: |
Consensus sediment quality guidelines for polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbon mixtures
Media: Sediment
Contaminants: PAHs and other organics Abstract: |
Consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated
biphenyls
Media: Sediment Contaminants: PCBs and pestcides Description coming |
Marine and estuarine sediments
Media: Sediment Contaminants: Multiple Description coming |
Use of sediment quality guidelines
Media: Sediment Contaminants: Multiple Recommendations for application and interpretation of sediment quality guidelines. |
Predicting toxicity in sediments
Media: Sediment Contaminants: Multiple Description coming |
Predicting PAH toxicity in sediments
Media: Sediment Contaminants: PAHs
Description coming |
Selenium toxicity in sediments
Media: Sediment Contaminants: Selenium
Description coming |
Review of metal benchmarks
Media: Soil Contaminants: Metals
Description coming |
Derivation of soil critical limits
Media: Soil Contaminants: Metals
Description coming |
State Guidance and Criteria |
Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Media: Sediment Contaminants: Multiple
This report was prepared to provide the Florida Department of Environmental Protection biological effects-based sediment quality assessment guidelines (SQAGs) for Florida coastal waters. A variety of approaches for deriving numerical SQAGs were reviewed and evaluated. Using an approach recommended by Long and Morgan (1990; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), preliminary SQAGs for 34 priority substances in Florida coastal waters were derived and evaluated. These SQAGs are intended to assist sediment quality assessment applications, such as identifying priority areas for non-point source management actions, designing wetland restoration projects, and monitoring trends in environmental contamination. They are not intended to be used as sediment quality criteria. |
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Media: Sediment Contaminants: Multiple
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Illinois Environmental Protection Agency |
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Media: Surface water Contaminants: Multiple Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Derived Water Quality Criteria |
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality |
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Media: GSI*, surface water, soil, sediment Contaminants: Multiple
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Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) |
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Media: Multiple Contaminants: Multiple In order to rationalize and streamline its Superfund and Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup Programs, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has adopted a risk-based decision making approach. Risk-based decision making provides a means for making technically defensible decisions which allocate resources to sites and conditions posing the greatest long-term risks to humans and the environment. The screening criteria represent contaminant levels in the media above which unacceptable risks could occur under the general exposure conditions used in developing the criteria. During the screening evaluation, it is assumed that the site will be developed for residential purposes, and thus, that exposures related to residential uses may occur. This relatively conservative land use assumption helps to ensure that protective decisions result from the screening evaluation, because the evaluation depends on information from site characterizations that may not be comprehensive at this early stage of the investigation and clean-up process. |
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Media: Sediment Contaminants: Multiple The MPCA does not have sediment quality standards. Sediment quality targets (SQTs), adopted for use in the St. Louis River Area of Concern, can be used throughout the state as benchmark values for making comparisons to surficial sediment chemistry measurements. |
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Media: Sediment Contaminants: Multiple The St. Louis River Area of Concern (AOC) is an important transboundary waterway between northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. This AOC contains several sites where concentrations of metals, mercury, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, and/or dioxins and furans are elevated in the sediments compared to reference areas. In areas where these chemical substances occur at concentrations that pose a known or suspected threat to environmental or human health, the sediments are designated as contaminated. Restrictions on dredging, fish advisories, and habitat impairments to bottom feeding organisms are just a few of the use impairments resulting from contaminated sediments in this Great Lakes AOC. Since the St. Louis River constitutes the second largest tributary to Lake Superior, the potential transport of sediment-derived contaminants to Lake Superior is of additional concern to many stakeholders. This report provides a series of recommendations for advancing the assessment, management, and remediation of contaminated sediments in the St. Louis River AOC. |
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation |
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Media: Sediment Contaminants: Non-polar organic contaminants; metals This revised sediment criteria document was prepared to incorporate scientific literature published since 1989, and to establish the purpose of sediment criteria for screening; that is, to identify areas of sediment contamination and to make a preliminary assessment of the risk posed by the contamination to human health and the environment. Criteria are developed for two classes of contaminants - non-polar organic contaminants and metals. Non-polar organic contaminant criteria are derived using the equilibrium partitioning approach, which has now been endorsed by the EPA Science Advisory Board. This approach estimates the biological impacts that a contaminant may cause based on it's affinity to sorb to organic carbon in the sediment. EPA water quality criteria are used only when New York State has not published a standard or guidance value for a particular compound. Water quality criteria for bioaccumulation proposed by the Divisions of Fish and Wildlife and Marine Resources are used when no New York State water quality standard or guidance value for bioaccumulation has been developed. Metals criteria are derived from Ministry of Ontario guidelines and NOAA data that make use of the screening level approach. |
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency |
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Media: Multiple Contaminants: Multiple Ohio Environmental Protection
Agency (OEPA): |
Washington State Department of Ecology |
Washington State Department of Ecology
Media: Sediment Contaminants: Multiple The Sediment Management Standards currently contain 2 sets of numeric chemical criteria that apply to Puget Sound marine sediments:
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Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Media: Sediment Contaminants: PAHs; inorganics; others? Wisconsin DNR needs effects-based (i.e., empirical) sediment quality
guidelines (SQGs) for commonly found, in place contaminants to serve
as benchmark values for making comparisons to the concentrations of
contaminant levels in sediments at sites under evaluation for various
reasons (e.g., NR 347 dredging projects, degree and extent studies,
screening level ecological risk assessments). |