Toxicity of magnesium pulses to tropical freshwater species and the development of a duration-based water quality guideline

The aim of this work is to evaluate and discuss river water quality trends over the last decade in ten watersheds where diffuse pollution represents more than half of the annual load of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N). Trend analyses taking into account flow data indicate a significant reduction of total P in eight rivers, of ammonia N in five rivers, of nitrate + nitrite in four rivers, of total filtered N in three rivers and of suspended solids in two rivers. An increase of turbidity was observed in four rivers and, for fecal coliforms, no trends. P decrease can be explained by reduced mineral P inputs on cropped lands related to means such as agro-environmental fertilization plans and addition of phytase in pig and poultry feed. However, for seven of them, median P concentrations remain at least two times greater than the Québec water quality guideline for protection of rivers against eutrophication. Concentrations of other parameters remain problematic in some rivers too. These results indicate the need to continue the efforts for further diffuse pollution reduction. Future work should better quantify actions taken at the watershed scale to reduce diffuse pollution.

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The selenium drinking water quality guideline in Canada: The case for a re-evaluation

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management ◽

10.1002/ieam.1252 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 194-196 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Guy Gilron

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Drinking Water ◽

Drinking Water Quality ◽

Quality Guideline ◽

Water Quality Guideline

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Assessing the Toxicity of Mine‐Water Mixtures and the Effectiveness of Water Quality Guideline Values in Protecting Local Aquatic Species

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry ◽

10.1002/etc.5103 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Melanie A. Trenfield ◽

Ceiwen J. Pease ◽

Samantha L. Walker ◽

Scott J. Markich ◽

Chris L. Humphrey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Mine Water ◽

Aquatic Species ◽

Guideline Values ◽

Quality Guideline ◽

Water Quality Guideline

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Derivation of a water quality guideline for aluminium in marine waters

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry ◽

10.1002/etc.2771 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 141-151 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Lisa A. Golding ◽

Brad M. Angel ◽

Graeme E. Batley ◽

Simon C. Apte ◽

Rick Krassoi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Marine Waters ◽

Quality Guideline ◽

Water Quality Guideline

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Diatom–water quality thresholds in South Australian streams indicate a need for more stringent water quality guidelines

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf19065 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 71 (8) ◽

pp. 942 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J. Tibby ◽

J. Richards ◽

J. J. Tyler ◽

C. Barr ◽

J. Fluin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

South Australia ◽

Community Change ◽

Sensitive Species ◽

Water Quality Guidelines ◽

Quality Guidelines ◽

Quality Guideline ◽

Current Water ◽

Physical And Chemical ◽

Water Quality Guideline

Water quality guidelines are an important tool that guide stream protection. In South Australia, as in other Australian states, guidelines have been set using statistical properties of physical and chemical stressors in reference streams. Given that water quality guidelines are designed to protect ecosystems, biologically based guidelines are more desirable. In this context, we investigated diatom–water quality relationships in South Australian streams. Our analysis focused on electrical conductivity (EC) and total phosphorus (TP), which explained significant variance in diatom assemblages. Threshold indicator taxa analysis was conducted to determine thresholds of diatom community change along EC and TP gradients. There were significant declines in the relative abundance of sensitive species at an EC of ~280μScm–1 and a TP concentration of 30μgL–1. The TP threshold is considerably lower than the trigger value in South Australia’s guidelines (100μgTPL–1). The change in species composition in relation to EC is considerably lower than the upper limit of the water quality guidelines (which range from 100 to 5000μScm–1). Hence, particularly in the case of TP, but also for EC, the current water quality guideline trigger values are too high in South Australia, and indeed in other temperate Australian states.

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Empirical Bioavailability Corrections for Nickel in Freshwaters for Australia and New Zealand Water Quality Guideline Development

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry ◽

10.1002/etc.4900 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 113-126 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Adam Peters ◽

Graham Merrington ◽

Jenny Stauber ◽

Lisa Golding ◽

Graeme Batley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

New Zealand ◽

Guideline Development ◽

Quality Guideline ◽

Water Quality Guideline

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Toxicity thresholds of three insecticides and two fungicides to larvae of the coral Acropora tenuis

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.9615 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. e9615

Author(s):

Florita Flores ◽

Sarit Kaserzon ◽

Gabriele Elisei ◽

Gerard Ricardo ◽

Andrew P. Negri

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Total Risk ◽

Larval Metamorphosis ◽

Response Curves ◽

Poor Water Quality ◽

Guideline Values ◽

Quality Guideline ◽

Reference Toxicant ◽

Acropora Tenuis ◽

Water Quality Guideline

Tropical marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs, face several threats to their health and resilience, including poor water quality. Previous studies on the risks posed by pesticides have focused on five priority herbicides; however, as the number of pesticides applied in coastal agriculture increases, a suite of ‘alternative’ pesticides is being detected in tropical nearshore waters. To improve our understanding of the risks posed by alternative pesticides to tropical marine organisms, the effects of three insecticides (diazinon, fipronil, imidacloprid) and two fungicides (chlorothalonil, propiconazole) were tested on larval metamorphosis of the coral Acropora tenuis. A. tenuis larvae were affected by all five pesticides and the reference toxicant copper. The no effect concentration (NEC) and the 10% and 50% effect concentrations (EC10 and EC50, respectively) for larval metamorphosis were estimated from concentration-response curves after 48 h exposure. The NEC, EC10 and EC50 (in µg L−1), respectively, of each pesticide were as follows: chlorothalonil (2.4, 2.8, 6.0); fipronil (12.3, 13.9, 29.1); diazinon (38.0, 40.8, 54.7); imidacloprid (263, 273, 347); and propiconazole (269, 330, 1008). These toxicity thresholds are higher than reported concentrations in monitoring programs; however, these data will contribute to improving water quality guideline values, which inform the total risk assessments posed by complex contaminant mixtures to which these pesticides contribute.

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Human pharmaceuticals in Ontario's environment: a review of management opportunities

10.32920/ryerson.14660388.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Emily (Hanna) Cooper

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Clear Understanding ◽

Government Action ◽

Low Concentrations ◽

Challenges And Opportunities ◽

Pharmaceutical Removal ◽

Quality Guideline ◽

Developed World ◽

Water Quality Guideline ◽

Level Of Risk

Pharmaceuticals have been detected in water throughout the developed world. Some, while at low concentrations, can negatively affect freshwater wildlife. This thesis explores the level of risk that pharmaceuticals pose to Ontario’s environment, and possible challenges and opportunities for government action to address this issue. In addition to a literature review, this work replicates an earlier similar study by collecting information directly from seven purposefully selected Ontario experts. Results make it clear that pharmaceuticals pose some risk, but a consensus cannot be reached on the level of risk. With limited financial resources, it is difficult to prioritize pharmaceutical removal over other environmental problems without a clear understanding of the harm that pharmaceuticals pose. Nevertheless, there are opportunities for government action. Ontario could follow what British Columbia has done; it developed a Water Quality Guideline for pharmaceuticals that must be considered by government when making decisions that could affect water quality.

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