Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Scientific basis for extrapolating results from soil ecotoxicity tests to field conditions and the use of bioassays

  • Chapter
Ecological Risk Assessment of Contaminants in Soil

Abstract

The risk assessment of chemicals for ecosystems is generally based on the results of laboratory toxicity tests. For an overview of tests available or under development for the soil ecosystem, refer to Van Straalen and Van Gestel (1993). To derive ‘safe’ levels of chemicals in soil ecosystems, a number of extrapolation methods have been developed. These extrapolation methods all assume a certain distribution (log-logistic, log-normal or triangular) of sensitivities of organisms in the field, and aim at deriving a so-called 95% protection level, i.e. the hazardous concentration for 5% of the species, the so-called HC5 value. For a critical overview of extrapolation methods see Suter (1993)

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Ahlf, W., Gunkel, J. and Rönnpagel, K. (1993) Toxikologische Bewertung von Sanierungen, in Bodenreinigung. Biologische und chemisch-physikalische Verfahrensentwicklung unter Berücksichtigung der bodenkundlichen,analytischen und rentlichen Bewertung (ed. R. Stegman), Economica Verlag, Bonn, pp. 275–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belfroid, A.C. (1994) Toxicokinetics of Hydrophobic Chemicals in Earthworms. Validation of the Equilibrium Partitioning Theory PhD Thesis, University of Utrecht.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bengtsson, G. and Rundgren, R. (1992) Seasonal variation of lead uptake in the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris and the influence of soil liming and acidification. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol, 23 198–205.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beyer, L., Wachendorf, C., Elsner, D.C. and Knabe, R. (1993) Suitability of dehydrogenase activity assay as an index of soil biological activity. Biol. Fertil. Soils, 16 52–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bitton, G., Koopman, B. and Agami, O. (1992) MetpacIm: a bioassay for rapid assessment of heavy metal toxicity in wastewater. Water Environ. Res, 64 834–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boesten, J.J.T.I. (1986) Behaviour of Herbicides in Soil: Simulation and Experimental Assessment PhD Thesis, Agricultural University Wageningen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brouwer, H., Murphy, T. and McArdle, L. (1990) A sediment-contact bioassay with Photobacterium phosphoreum. Environ. Toxicol. Chem, 9 1353–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Callahan, C.A. and Linder, G. (1992) Assessment of contaminated soils using earthworm test procedures, in Ecotoxicology of Earthworms (eds P.W. Greig-Smith, H. Becker, P. Edwards and F. Heimbach), Intercept Ltd, Andover, Hants, UK, pp. 187–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Callahan, C.A., Menzie, C.A., Burmaster, D.E., Wilborn, D.C. and Ernst, T. (1991) On-site methods for assessing chemical impact on the soil environment using earthworms: a case study at the Baird and McGuire superfund site, Holbrook, Massachusetts. Environ. Toxicol. Chem, 10 817–26.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carante, J.P., Battut, P., Lemaitre, C. and Dorier, A. (1993) La mouche mediterranéenne des fruits, un nouvel outil en ecotoxicologie. Bull. Soc. Zool. Fr, 118 169–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corp, N. and Morgan, A.J. (1991) Accumulation of heavy metals from polluted soils by the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus: can laboratory exposure of control worms reduce biomonitoring problems? Environ. Pollut, 74 39–52.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crommentuijn, G.H. (1994) Sensitivity of Soil Arthropods to Toxicants PhD Thesis, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies, B.E. (1993) Radish as an indicator plant for derelict land: uptake of zinc at toxic concentrations. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal, 24 1883–95.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Demon, A. and Eijsackers, H. (1985) The effects of lindane and azinphosmethyl on survival time of soil animals, under extreme or fluctuating temperature and moisture conditions. Z. ang. Ent, 100 504–10.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denneman, C.A.J. and Van Gestel, C.A.M. (1990) Bodemverontreiniging en Bodemecosystemen: Voorstel voor C-(toetsings)waarden op Basis van Ecotoxicologische Risico’s Report no. 725201001. National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands (in Dutch).

    Google Scholar 

  • Denneman, C.A.J. and Van Gestel, C.A.M. (1991) Afleiding van C-waarden voor Bodem-ecosystemen op Basis van Aquatisch Ecotoxicologische Gegevens Report no. 7252001008. National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands (in Dutch).

    Google Scholar 

  • DÞaz-Raviña, M., Bââth, E. and Frostegârd, A. (1994) Multiple heavy metal tolerance of soil bacterial communities and its measurement by a thymidine incorporation technique. Appl. Environ. Microbiol, 60 2238–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Di Toro, D.M., Zarba, C.S., Hansen, D.J., Berry, W.J., Swartz, R.C., Cowan, C.E., Pavlou, S.P., Allen, H.E., Thomas, N.A. and Paquin, P.R. (1991) Technical basis for establishing sediment quality criteria for nonionic organic chemicals using equilibrium partitioning. Environ. Toxicol. Chem, 10 1541–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eiserman, R. and Daei, B. (1993) Evaluation of soil pollutions applying an ecotoxicological assay, in Integrated Soil and Sediment Research: A Basis for Proper Protection (eds H. J. P. Eijsackers and T. Hamers), Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, pp. 313–14.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Everts, J.W. (1990) Sensitive Indicators of Side-effects of Pesticides on the Epigeal Fauna of Arable Land PhD Thesis, Agricultural University Wageningen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Everts, J.W., Aukema, B., Mullié, W.C., Van Gemerden, A., Rottier, A., Van Katz, R. and Van Gestel, C.A.M. (1991) Exposure of the ground dwelling spider Oedothorax apicatus (Blackwall) (Erigonidae) to spray and residues of deltamethrin. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol, 20 13–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Floate, K.D., Elliott, R.H., Doane, J.F. and Gillott, C. (1989) Field bioassay to evaluate contact and residual toxicities of insecticides to carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). J. Econ. Entomol, 82 1543–7.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Forge, T.A., Berrow, M.L., Darbyshire, J.F. and Warren, A. (1993) Protozoan bioassays of soil amended with sewage sludge and heavy metals, using the common soil ciliate Colpoda steinii. Biol. Fertil. Soils, 16 282–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Förster, H.-G., Tiberg, E., Knoblauch, H., Kaun, E., Genz, U., Fischer, W., Adam, R. and Brendel, M. (1993) Remaining PAH-contamination after microbial remediation: why does it exist and how to treat it, in Integrated Soil and Sediment Research: A Basis for Proper Protection (eds H. J. P. Eijsackers and T. Hamers), Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, pp. 352–3.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Frostegârd, A., Tunlid, A. and Bââth, E. (1993) Phospholipid fatty acid composition, biomass, and activity of microbial communities from two soil types experimentally exposed to different heavy metals. Appl. Environ. Microbiol, 59 3605–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gezondheidsraad (1994) Ecotoxicologie op Koers Netherlands Health Council, Report nr 1994/13 (in Dutch).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunkel, J., Rönnpagel, K. and Ahlf, W. (1993) Eignung mikrobieller Biotests für gebundene Schadstoffe. Acta Hydrochim. Hydrobiol, 21 215–20.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harris, C.R. (1964a) Influence of soil moisture on the toxicity of insecticides in a mineral soil to insects. J. Econ. Entomol, 57 946–50.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harris, C.R. (1964b) Influence of soil type and soil moisture on the toxicity of insecticides in soils to insects. Nature, 202 724.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harris, C.R. (1967) Further studies on the influence of soil moisture on the toxicity of insecticides in soil. J. Econ. Entomol, 60 41–4.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hassan, S.A. (1985) Standard methods to test the side-effects of pesticides on natural enemies of insects and mites developed by IOBC/WPRS Working Group ‘Pesticides and Beneficial Organisms’. Bull. OEPP/EPPO Bull, 15 214–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassan, S.A. (1992) Guidelines for testing the effects of pesticides on beneficial organisms: description of test methods. IOBC/WPRS Bull XV/3 1–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hopkin, S.P. (1993a) Ecological implications of ‘85% protection levels’ for metals in soil. Oikos, 66 137–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hopkin, S.P. (1993b) In situ biological monitoring of pollution in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, in Handbook of Ecotoxicology (ed. P. Calow), Blackwell Scientific Publishers, Oxford, pp. 397–427.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jagers op Akkerhuis, G.A.J.M. (1993) Physical Conditions Affecting Pyrethroid Toxicity in Arthropods PhD Thesis, Agricultural University Wageningen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janssen, M.P.M. and Bergema, W.F. (1991) The effect of temperature on cadmium kinetics and oxygen consumption in soil arthropods. Environ. Toxicol. Chem 10 1493–501.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jepson, P.C., Croft, B.A. and Pratt, G.E. (1994) Test systems to determine the ecological risks posed by toxin release from Bacillus thuringiensis genes in crop plants. Mol. Ecol, 3 81–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keddy, C., Greene, J.C. and Bonnell, M.A. (1992) A Review of Whole Organism Bioassays for Assessing the Quality of Soil,Freshwater Sediment and Freshwater in Canada Report of the National Contaminated Sites Remediation Program, Environment Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Linder, G., Ingham, E., Brandt, C.H. and Henderson, G. (1992) Evaluation of Terrestrial Indicators for Use in Ecological Assessments at Hazardous Waste Sites United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA/600/12–92/183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lake, H. (1994) Ecotoxicological extrapolation: tool or toy? in Ecotoxicology of Soil Organisms (eds M.H. Donker, H. Eijsackers and F. Heimbach), Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, Florida, pp. 411–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loonen, H. (1994) Bioavailability of Chlorinated Dioxins and Furans in the Aquatic Environment PhD Thesis,Amsterdam University of Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mac, M.J., Noguchi, G.E., Hesselberg, R.J., Edsall, C.C., Shoesmith, J.A. and Bowker, J.D. (1990) A bioaccumulation bioassay for freshwater sediments. Environ. Toxicol. Chem, 9, 1405–14.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Menzie, C.A., Burmaster, D.E., Freshman, J.S. and Callahan, C.A. (1992) Assessment of methods for estimating ecological risk in the terrestrial component: a case study at the Baird and McGuire superfund site in Holbrook, Massachusetts. Environ. Toxicol. Chem, 11 245–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, J.E., Morgan, A.J. and Corp, N. (1992) Assessing soil metal pollution with earthworms: indices derived from regression analysis, in Ecotoxicology of Earthworms (eds P.W. Greig-Smith, H. Becker, P. Edwards and F. Heimbach), Intercept Ltd., Andover, Hants, UK, pp. 233–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paine, J.M., McKee, M.J. and Ryan, M.F. (1993) Toxicity and bioaccumulation of soil PCBs in crickets: comparison of laboratory and field studies. Environ. Toxicol. Chem, 12 2097–103.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Samoiloff, M. (1990) The nematode toxicity assay using Panagrellus redivivus. Toxicity Assessment, 5, 309–18.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sheppard, S.C. and Evenden, W.G. (1992) Bioavailability indices for uranium: effect of concentration in eleven soils. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol, 23 117–24.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sheppard, S.C. and Evenden, W.G. (1994) Simple whole-soil bioassay based on microarthropods. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol, 52 95–101.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sheppard, S.C., Gaudet, C., Sheppard, M.I., Cureton, P.M. and Wong, M.P. (1992) The development of assessment and remediation guidelines for contaminated soils, a review of the science. Can. J. Soil Sci, 72 359–94.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Suter, G.W. (1993) New concepts in the ecological aspects of stress: the problem of extrapolation. Sci. Total Envir, Suppl., 63–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • TCB (1992) Advies Herziening Leidraad Bodembescherming 1. C-toetsingswaarden en Urgentiebeoordeling Technical Committee on Soil Protection. The Netherlands (in Dutch).

    Google Scholar 

  • Torstensson, L. (ed.) (1993) Soil Biological Variables in Environmental Hazard

    Google Scholar 

  • Van de Meent, D., Aldenberg, T., Canton, J.H., Van Gestel, C.A.M. and Slooff, W. (1990) Desire for Levels. Background Study for the Policy Document ‘Setting Environmental Quality Standards for Water and Soil’ Report no. 670101002, National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Gestel, C.A.M. (1992) The influence of soil characteristics on the toxicity of chemicals for earthworms: a review, in Ecotoxicology of Earthworms (eds P.W. Greig-Smith, H. Becker, P.J. Edwards, and F. Heimbach), Intercept Press, Andover, Hants, UK, pp. 44–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Gestel, C.A.M. and Ma, W. (1988) Toxicity and bioaccumulation of chlorophenols in earthworms, in relation to bioavailability in soil. Ecotox. Environ. Safety, 15 289–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Gestel, C.A.M. and Ma, W. (1990) An approach to quantitative structure—activity relationships (QSARs) in earthworm toxicity studies. Chemosphere, 21 1023–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Gestel, C.A.M., Adema, D.M.M., De Boer, J.L.M. and De Jong, P. (1988) The influence of soil clean-up on the bioavailability of metals, in Contaminated Soil ‘88 (eds K. Wolf, W.J. Van den Brink, and F.J. Colon), Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, pp. 63–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Gestel, C.A.M., Dirven-Van Breemen, E.M. and Kamerman, J.W. (1993) The influence of soil clean up on the bioavailability of heavy metals for earthworms and plants, in Integrated Soil and Sediment Research: A Basis for Proper Protection (eds H.J.P. Eijsackers and T. Hamers), Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, pp. 345–8.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Van Gestel, C.A.M., Rademaker, M.C.J. and Van Straalen, N.M. (1995) Capacity controlling parameters and their impact on metal toxicity in soil invertebrates, in Biogeodynamics of Pollutants in Soils and Sediments. Risk Assessment of Delayed and Non-linear Responses (eds W. Salomons and W.M. Stigliani), Springer Verlag, Berlin, pp. 171–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Gestel, C.A.M. and Van Diepen, A.M.F (in press) The influence of soil moisture content on the bioavailability and toxicity of cadmium for Folsomia candida Willem (Collembola: Isotomidae). Ecotox. Environ. Safety

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanhala, P.T. and Ahtiainen, J.H. (1994) Soil respiration, ATP content, and Photobacterium toxicity test as indicators of metal pollution in soil. Environ. Toxicol. Water Qual, 9 115–21.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Straalen, N.M. (1993a) An ecotoxicologist in politics. Oikos, 66 142–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Straalen, N.M. (1993b) Open problems in the derivation of soil quality criteria from ecotoxicity experiments, in Contaminated Soil ‘83 (eds F. Arendt, G.J. Annokkee, R. Bosman and W.J. van den Brink), Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, pp. 315–26.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Van Straalen, N.M. and Denneman, C.A.J. (1989) Ecotoxicological evaluation of soil quality criteria. Ecotox. Environ. Safety, 18 241–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Straalen, N.M. and Van Gestel, C.A.M. (1993) Soil invertebrates and microorganisms, in Handbook of Ecotoxicology (ed. P. Calow), Blackwell Scientific Publishers, Oxford, pp. 251–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Straalen, N.M., Schobben, J.H.M. and Traas, T.P. (1992) The use of ecotoxicological risk assessment in deriving maximum acceptable half-lives of pesticides. Pestic. Sci, 34 227–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Wensem, J., Vegter, J.J. and Van Straalen, N.M. (1994) Soil quality criteria derived from critical body concentrations of metals in soil invertebrates. Appl. Soil Ecol 1 185–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verma, A. and Pillai, M.K. (1991) Bioavailability of soil-bound residues of DDT and HCH to earthworms. Curr. Sci 61 840–3.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, W. and Keturi, P.H. (1990) Comparative seed germination test using ten plant species for toxicity assessment of a metal engraving effluent sample. Water Air Soil Pollut, 52 369–76.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Warren-Hicks, W., Parkhurst, B.R. and Baker, S.S. (1989) Ecological Assessment of Hazardous Waste Sites: A Field and Laboratory Reference United States Environmental Protection Agency. EPA/600/3–89/013.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiles, J.A. and Jepson, P.C. (1992) In situ bioassay techniques to evaluate the toxicity of pesticides to beneficial invertebrates in cereals. Asp. of Appl. BioL, 31 61–8.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Cornelis A. M. Van Gestel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology and Ecotoxicology, Vrije Universiteit, The Netherlands

    Nico M. van Straalen

  2. Department of Terrestrial Ecology, National Environmental Research Institute, Denmark

    Hans Løkke

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1997 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Van Gestel, C.A.M. (1997). Scientific basis for extrapolating results from soil ecotoxicity tests to field conditions and the use of bioassays . In: van Straalen, N.M., Løkke, H. (eds) Ecological Risk Assessment of Contaminants in Soil. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-6361-7_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-6361-7_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-7922-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-6361-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation