Whole Effluent Toxicity

Presentation to: KWWOA

April 09, 2014

Department for Environmental ProtectionEnvironmental & Public Protection Cabinet

To Protect and Enhance Kentucky’s Environment

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Whole Effluent Toxicity • The aggregate toxic effect of an

effluent measured directly by a toxicity test.

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Toxicity Test• A procedure using live organisms to

determine whether a chemical or an effluent is toxic.

• A toxicity test measures the degree of the effect of a specific chemical or effluent on exposed test organisms.

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Toxic Substance• A substance that is bioaccumulative,

synergistic, antagonistic, teratogenic, mutagenic, or carcinogenic; and causes death, disease, a behavioral abnormality, a physiological malfunction, or a physical deformity in an organism or its offspring or interferes with normal propagation.

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Representative Indicator Organism• An aquatic organism designated for use in

toxicity testing because of its relative sensitivity to toxicants and its widespread distribution in the aquatic environment.

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Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow)

• Adults are small in size and can range from 43 to 102 millimeters in length.

• Fathead minnow is a freshwater fish widely distributed in the United States.

• They are tolerant of high turbidity, high temperatures and low oxygen concentrations.

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Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow)

Larvae Adult

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Ceriodaphnia dubia (water flea)• Water flea occur in littoral area lakes, ponds

and marshes throughout most of the world.• They are a vital link in aquatic food chains.• A significant source of food for small fish.• They have a short life cycle and are easy to

culture in a laboratory.• Sensitive to a broad range of contaminants.• Require small amounts of test water.

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Ceriodaphnia dubia (Water flea)• Ceriodaphnia dubia image

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Daphnia Pulex • Most common species of water flea.• Occurs in a wide range of aquatic habitats, but

is most closely associated with small shaded pools.

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D. magna (water flea)• Daphnia magna is principally a lake dweller

and is restricted to waters in northern and western North America.

• Usually five to six millimeters in length.

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WET Certification Components• Personnel Qualifications• Laboratory facilities• Equipment & Instrumentation• Sample collection, handling & preservation• Test methodology• General lab practices• Quality Assurance/Quality control• Reference toxicant data• Records & data reporting• Test acceptability criteria

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General Wet Lab Facility Requirements• Should have at least 150-200 square feet of lab space and

15-20 linear feet of lab bench space.• Should have adequate lighting, cooling and heating to

maintain appropriate environmental conditions for culturing organisms/toxicity tests.

• Hot & cold running water.• Separate areas for culturing, toxicity testing and other

chemical analyses.• Well ventilated and free of toxic fumes.• Secure and maintained in a clean, organized manner.

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Sample Handling, Preservation & Shipping

• Sample holding time begins when a grab sample is collected or when a composite sampling period is completed.• Maximum holding time prior to initial use of an

effluent sample for toxicity testing shall be 36 hours after the completion of sample collection.• Time of initial use is defined as the point in time

when organisms have been introduced into test chambers for all tests.

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Sample Shipping & Receiving

• Effluent samples shall be shipped with ice or under other refrigerated conditions (blue ice shall not be used).

• Sample temp shall not exceed 6°C upon arrival at the performing laboratory unless sample is received within 2 hours of the end of the collection period and sample used for testing upon arrival or stored immediately.

• Upon receiving the temp & pH of the sample, date & time of receipt, and initials of laboratory personnel receiving the sample shall be recorded.

• Samples shall be stored at < 6°C (without freezing) in the dark until used and when not in use.

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WET Methods & Manuals• Methods for Measuring Acute Toxicity to Freshwater and

Marine Organisms 5th Edition:

2002.0 Ceriodaphnia dubia acute

2021.0 Daphnia Pulex & D. magna acute

2000.0 Pimephales promelas acute• Short-term Methods for Estimating Chronic Toxicity to

Freshwater Organisms 4th Edition:

1000.0 Pimephales promelas (larval survival & growth)

1002.0 Ceriodaphnia dubia (survival & reproduction)

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USEPA Methods Document• Health & safety• Quality assurance/Quality Control• Facilities, equipment and supplies• Test organisms and culture methods• Dilution water• Food quality• Effluent sampling & handling• Endpoints and data analysis• Individual test methods• Report preparation & test review

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Toxicity testing labs must:• Maintain a qualified staff.• Develop, implement & maintain a QA/QC program.• Develop data quality objectives.• Develop & maintain detailed written standard operating

procedures for all areas of toxicity testing.• Use approved testing methods.• Provide adequate lab facilities & equipment.• Notify regulatory authority of any changes in equipment or

personnel that would affect the labs ability to meet toxicity test criteria.

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Quality Assurance (QA)• Quality assurance addresses all activities

affecting the quality of the final effluent toxicity data: evaluation of effluent sampling and handling, source and condition of test organisms, equipment condition, test conditions, instrument calibration, replication, use of reference toxicant, record keeping, data and other aspects of the test and testing procedures.

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Quality Control (QC)• Quality control is the set of focused,

routine, day-to-day activities carried out as part of an overall QA program.

Reference Toxicant Testing• Used for initial and ongoing demonstration of

performance of laboratory personnel.• A check of the sensitivity of test organisms and the

suitability of the test methodology in a toxicity test.• Monthly or side by side testing.• Acceptance criteria. • Not a “de facto criterion” for test rejection.• Labs should evaluate Coefficient of Variation (CVs)

based on national values.

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Control Charts• A statistical tool used in quality control to analyze and

understand process variables, determine process capabilities and monitor effects of variables on the difference between target and actual performance.

• Control charts shall be prepared for each combination of reference toxicant, test species, test conditions and endpoints.

• Toxicity endpoints from five or six tests are adequate for establishing control charts.

• Control chart shall be maintained using 20 most recent data points.

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Control Chart Example

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Chain of Custody• The chain of custody shall at a minimum contain the

following information:– Identification, location date & time of collection;– Sample collector’s name;– Preservative added & shipping requirements;– Container type & volume;– Sample type & analysis requested;– Any special remarks concerning the sample;– Custody transfer (released by/received by)

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Acute Test Acceptance Criteria• Control survival of at least 90%• Test temperature must not deviate by more than 3°C

during the test.• (20 +/- 1°C or 25° +/- 1°C)• Daphnids <24 hours old• minnows 1-14 days old.

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Chronic Test Acceptance Criteria• Minimum control survival of 80%• Test temperature must not deviate by more than 3°C

during the test (25° +/- 1°C).• Average15 young for control C. dubia & 60% of

control organisms must produce 3 broods• Minimum control dry weight (average) of 0.25 mg

for minnow larvae.• Maximum test organism age of 48 hours for

minnows & 24 for daphnids

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Test Measurements• Dissolved Oxygen• Temperature• Conductivity• Salinity or pH • Alkalinity/Total Hardness• Total Residual Chlorine

Must use 40 CFR 136.3 approved method

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Phase I of WET lab audit• Preliminary contact between lab & regulating

authority to determine agreeable dates.• Submission of all requested pre-audit

documents within the determined time frame. (Pre-survey information forms, QAP, SOPs DMR-QA studies, etc.) to allow adequate review time by auditor.

• Appropriate lab staff are made aware of the audit and made available to auditor.

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Phase II (On-site visit)• Opening conference with all relevant lab staff.• Tour of the facility.• Review & verify items completed on pre-survey

forms.• Have one-on-one discussions with technical staff.• Complete all relevant WET review checklists.• Close out meeting with all relevant staff to discuss

deviations/recommendations.

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Phase III (Final Report)• Submission of a final report to the laboratory

listing all deviations, recommendations and required corrective actions.

• Corrective action plan (CAP) is submitted by the lab and reviewed by the auditor.

• A final determination is provided to the lab along with request for any required documentations.

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References• Methods for Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Effluents and

Receiving Waters to Freshwater and Marine Organisms; 5th Edition October 2002 “EPA-821-R-02-012”

• Short-term Methods for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater Organisms; 4th Edition October 2002 “EPA-821-R-02-013”

• Manual for the Evaluation of Laboratories Performing Aquatic Toxicity Tests; January 1991 “EPA/600/4-90/031

• 401 KAR 5:002. Definitions for 401 KAR Chapter 5• Whole Effluent Toxicity Basics by Betty Jane Boros-Russo

& Christopher J. Nally

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Contact InformationErich Cleaver

Laboratory AuditorDivision of Water

200 Fair Oaks Lane; 4th FloorFrankfort, KY 40601

Phone: (502) 564-3410Fax: (502) 564-2741

Email: erich.cleaver@ky.gov