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Validation of the nickel biotic ligand model for locally relevant species in Australian freshwaters
Author(s) -
Peters Adam,
Merrington Graham,
Schlekat Christian,
De Schamphelaere Karel,
Stauber Jennifer,
Batley Graeme,
Harford Andrew,
van Dam Rick,
Pease Ceiwen,
Mooney Tom,
Warne Michael,
Hickey Chris,
Glazebrook Peter,
Chapman John,
Smith Ross,
Krassoi Rick
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.4213
Subject(s) - biotic ligand model , ecotoxicity , hard water , environmental chemistry , nickel , soft water , genetic algorithm , chemistry , environmental science , ecotoxicology , toxicity , ecology , biology , organic chemistry
Australian freshwaters have relatively low water hardness and different calcium (Ca) to magnesium (Mg) ratios compared with those in Europe. The hardness values of a substantial proportion of Australian freshwaters fall below the application boundary of the existing European nickel biotic ligand models (Ni BLMs) of 2 mg Ca/L. Toxicity testing was undertaken using Hydra viridissima to assess the predictive ability of the existing Ni BLM for this species in extremely soft waters. This testing revealed an increased competitive effect of Ca and Mg with Ni for binding to the biotic ligand in soft water (<10 mg CaCO 3 /L) than at higher water hardness. Modifications were made to the Ni BLM by increasing the binding constants for Ca and Mg at the biotic ligand to account for softer waters encountered in Australia and the more important competitive effect of Ca and Mg on Ni toxicity. To validate the modified Ni BLM, ecotoxicity testing was performed on 5 Australian test species in 5 different natural Australian waters. Overall, no single water chemistry parameter was able to indicate the trends in toxicity to all of the test species. The modified Ni BLMs were able to predict the toxicity of Ni to the test species in the validation studies in natural waters better than the existing Ni BLMs. The present study suggests that the overarching mechanisms defining Ni bioavailability to freshwater species are globally similar and that Ni BLMs can be used in all freshwater systems with minor modifications. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2566–2574. © 2018 SETAC