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Estimating and testing bioconcentration factors
Author(s) -
Bailer A. John,
Walker Sean E.,
Venis Kyle J.
Publication year - 2000
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.5620190925
Subject(s) - bioconcentration , hyalella azteca , confidence interval , environmental chemistry , organism , environmental science , chemistry , toxicology , statistics , bioaccumulation , ecology , biology , mathematics , amphipoda , paleontology , crustacean
Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) are commonly calculated to represent the equilibrium concentration of a substance in an organism relative to environmental concentrations of the same substance. The BCF is derived from parameters estimated in uptake and elimination experiments and is presented as a single value without error estimates or confidence intervals. However, it is desirable to know the variability/precision of the BCF estimate and to statistically compare BCFs among experimental conditions. In this study, the calculation of standard errors and confidence intervals for BCFs is presented. In addition, a statistical method for formally comparing the BCFs derived under two or more experimental conditions is discussed. These methods are illustrated using data from a study of DDT‐exposed Hyalella azteca and Diporeia spp.