scholarly journals Monitoring priority substances in biota under the Water Framework Directive: how effective is a tiered approach based on caged invertebrates? A proof-of-concept study targeting PFOS in French rivers

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Babut ◽  
Benoit J. D. Ferrari ◽  
Patrick Jame ◽  
Azziz Assoumani ◽  
François Lestremau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Fish Muscle ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Priority Substances ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Tiered Approach ◽  
European Water ◽  
Magnification Factors ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
Second Tier

Abstract Background This study aims to describe and test a tiered approach for assessing compliance to Environmental Quality standards (EQSs) for priority substances in biota in line with the European Water Framework Directive. This approach is based on caged gammarids and trophic magnification factors (TMFs) at the first tier, with fish analyzed at the second tier at sites predicted to exceed the EQS at the first tier. A dataset was implemented by monitoring perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in caged gammarids exposed at 15 sites in French rivers, and in fish muscle and rest-of-body from the same sites. Isotopic ratios (δ13C and δ15 N) were also measured in gammarids and fish. Two scenarios were developed to compare measured PFOS concentrations in fish against predicted concentrations based on measures in caged gammarids and TMFs. Scenario (1) compared measured PFOS concentrations in fish fillets with predicted PFOS concentrations based on measured concentrations in caged gammarids and δ15 N. Scenario (2) tested whether or not EQS exceedance was correctly predicted based on measured concentrations in caged gammarids and trophic levels (TLs) from wild fish and gammarid populations. Results δ13C and δ15 N variations showed that caged gammarids used local food resources during exposure in the field. PFOS concentrations in gammarids were fairly variable through time at each site. In fish, concentrations ranged from < 1 to 250 ng g−1 (wet weight). After adjustment to the TL at which the EQS is set, 12 sites were above the EQS for PFOS. In scenario (1), predicted concentrations were almost correct at 7 sites out of 15. Most incorrect predictions were overestimations that were slightly improved by applying a lower (neutral) TMF. In scenario (2) we tested several variants for parameters involved in the predictions. The most efficient combination yielded two wrong predictions out of 15. This result was obtained with a higher (more conservative) TMF value, mean concentrations in gammarids from several field exposures during a year, and a TL for gammarids at the median of the distribution in French rivers. Conclusion The proposed tiered approach was thus efficient. However, the number of sites was relatively limited, and the dataset was biased towards EQS exceedance. The tiered approach warrants further validation.

scholarly journals Monitoring priority substances in biota under the Water Framework Directive: How effective is a tiered approach based on caged invertebrates? A proof of concept study targeting PFOS in French rivers.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Babut ◽  
Benoit J.D. Fe ◽  
Patrick Jame ◽  
Azziz Assoumani ◽  
François Lestremau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Fish Muscle ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Priority Substances ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Tiered Approach ◽  
European Water ◽  
Magnification Factors ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
Second Tier

Abstract Background : This study aims to describe and test a tiered approach for assessing compliance to Environmental Quality standards (EQSs) for priority substances in biota in line with the European Water Framework Directive. This approach is based on caged gammarids and trophic magnification factors (TMFs) at the first tier, with fish analysed at the second tier at sites predicted to exceed the EQS at the first tier. A dataset was implemented by monitoring perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in caged gammarids exposed at 15 sites in French rivers, and in fish muscle and rest-of- body from the same sites. Isotopic ratios (d 13 C and d 15 N) were also measured in gammarids and fish. Two scenarios were developed to compare measured PFOS concentrations in fish against predicted concentrations based on measures in caged gammarids and TMFs. Scenario (1) compared measured PFOS concentrations in fish fillets with predicted PFOS concentrations based on measured concentrations in caged gammarids and d 15 N. Scenario (2) tested whether or not EQS exceedance was correctly predicted based on measured concentrations in caged gammarids and trophic levels (TLs) from wild fish and gammarid populations. Results : d 13 C and d 15 N variations showed that caged gammarids used local food resources during exposure in the field. PFOS concentrations in gammarids were fairly variable through time at each site. In fish, concentrations ranged from <1 ng g -1 to 250 ng g -1 (wet weight). After adjustment to the TL at which the EQS is set, 12 sites were above the EQS for PFOS. In scenario (1), predicted concentrations were almost correct at 7 sites out of 15. Most incorrect predictions were overestimations that were slightly improved by applying a lower (neutral) TMF. In scenario (2) we tested several variants for parameters involved in the predictions. The most efficient combination yielded two wrong predictions out of 15. This result was obtained with a higher (more conservative) TMF value, mean concentrations in gammarids from several field exposures during a year, and a TL for gammarids at the median of the distribution in French rivers. Conclusion : The proposed tiered approach was thus efficient. However, the number of sites was relatively limited, and the dataset was biased towards EQS exceedance. The tiered approach warrants further validation.

scholarly journals Monitoring priority substances in biota under the Water Framework Directive: How effective is a tiered approach based on caged invertebrates? A proof of concept study targeting PFOS in French rivers.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Babut ◽  
Benoit J.D. Fe ◽  
Patrick Jame ◽  
Azziz Assoumani ◽  
François Lestremau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Fish Muscle ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Priority Substances ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Tiered Approach ◽  
European Water ◽  
Magnification Factors ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
Second Tier

Abstract Background: This study aims to describe and test a tiered approach for assessing compliance to Environmental Quality standards (EQSs) for priority substances in biota in line with the European Water Framework Directive. This approach is based on caged gammarids and trophic magnification factors (TMFs) at the first tier, with fish analysed at the second tier at sites exceeding the EQS. A dataset was implemented by monitoring perfluorooctane (PFOS) in caged gammarids exposed at 15 sites in French rivers, and in fish muscle and rest-of- body from the same sites. Isotopic ratios (δ13C and δ15N) were also measured in gammarids and fish. Two scenarios were developed to compare measured PFOS concentrations in fish against predicted concentrations based on measures in caged gammarids and TMFs. Scenario (1) compared measured PFOS concentrations in fish fillets with predicted PFOS concentrations based on measured concentrations in caged gammarids and δ15N. Scenario (2) tested whether or not EQS exceedance was correctly predicted based on measured concentrations in caged gammarids and trophic levels (TLs) from wild fish and gammarid populations.Results: δ13C and δ15N variations showed that caged gammarids used local food resources during exposure in the field. PFOS concentrations in gammarids were fairly variable through time at each site. In fish, concentrations ranged from non-quantifiable to 250 ng g− 1 (wet weight). After adjustment to the TL at which the EQS is set, 12 sites were above the EQS for PFOS. In scenario (1), predicted concentrations were almost correct at 7 sites out of 15. Most incorrect predictions were overestimations that were slightly improved by applying a lower TMF. In scenario (2) we tested several variants for parameters involved in the predictions. The most efficient combination yielded two wrong predictions out of 15. This result was obtained with a higher TMF value, mean concentrations in gammarids from several field exposures, and a TL for gammarids at the median of the distribution in French rivers.Conclusion: The proposed tiered approach was thus efficient. However, the number of sites was relatively limited, and the dataset was biased towards EQS exceedance. The tiered approach warrants further validation.

scholarly journals Selection and application of trophic magnification factors for priority substances to normalize freshwater fish monitoring data under the European Water Framework Directive: a case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heinz Rüdel ◽  
Verena Kosfeld ◽  
Annette Fliedner ◽  
Georg Radermacher ◽  
Christian Schlechtriem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Trophic Level ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
European Water Framework Directive ◽  
Monitoring Data ◽  
Priority Substances ◽  
European Water ◽  
Magnification Factors ◽  
Fish Monitoring

Abstract Background The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires the monitoring of biota—preferably fish—to check the compliance of tissue concentrations of priority substances (PS) against substance-specific environmental quality standards (EQSs). In monitoring programs, different fish species are covered, which often are secondary consumers with a trophic level (TL) of about 3. For harmonization, a normalization of monitoring data to a common trophic level is proposed, i.e., TL 4 (predatory fish) in freshwaters, so that data would be sufficiently protective. For normalization, the biomagnification properties of the chemicals can be considered by applying substance-specific trophic magnification factors (TMFs). Alternatively, TL-corrected biomagnification factors (BMFTLs) may be applied. Since it is impractical to derive site-specific TMFs or BMFTLs, often data from literature will be used for normalization. However, available literature values for TMFs and BMFTLs are quite varying. In the present study, the use of literature-derived TMFs and BMFTLs in data normalization is studied more closely. Results An extensive literature evaluation was conducted to identify appropriate TMFs for the WFD PS polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), hexachlorobenzene, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), dioxins and dioxin-like compounds (PCDD/F + dl-PCB), hexabromocyclododecane, and mercury. The TMFs eventually derived were applied to PS monitoring data sets of fish from different trophic levels (chub, bream, roach, and perch) from two German rivers. For comparison, PFOS and PBDE data were also normalized using literature-retrieved BMFTLs. Conclusions The evaluation illustrates that published TMFs and BMFTLs for WFD PS are quite variable and the selection of appropriate values for TL 4 normalization can be challenging. The normalized concentrations partly included large uncertainties when considering the range of selected TMFs, but indicated whether an EQS exceedance at TL 4 can be expected. Normalization of the fish monitoring data revealed that levels of substances accumulating in the food web (TMF or BMF > 1) can be underestimated when relying on fish with TL < 4 for EQS compliance assessment. The evaluation also revealed that TMF specifically derived for freshwater ecosystems in Europe would be advantageous. Field-derived BMFTLs seemed to be no appropriate alternative to TMFs, because they can vary even stronger than TMFs.

scholarly journals Trophic Magnification of Legacy (PCB, DDT and Hg) and Emerging Pollutants (PFAS) in the Fish Community of a Small Protected Southern Alpine Lake (Lake Mergozzo, Northern Italy)

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Mazzoni ◽  
Claudia Ferrario ◽  
Roberta Bettinetti ◽  
Roberta Piscia ◽  
Davide Cicala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Community ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Emerging Pollutants ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Perfluoroalkyl Acids ◽  
Trophic Chain ◽  
Magnification Factors ◽  
Subalpine Lake ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
Cold Lake

The biomagnification of mercury, polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs) and perfluoroalkyl acids substances (PFASs) was evaluated in the trophic web of Lake Mergozzo, a small and deep Italian subalpine lake, which has been chosen because it is a protected environment, and discharges into the lake are mostly avoided. Carbon source and relative trophic levels were calculated by using 13C and 15N stable isotopes, respectively, and trophic magnification factors (TMFs) were derived. Zooplankton and thirteen species of fish were collected and analyzed, and the results showed the elevated level of biota contamination from both legacy and emerging pollutants, even if direct discharges were avoided. Concentrations in biota, expressed as sums of compounds, ranged from 0.4 to 60 µg kg−1 wet weight (ww) for PFASs, from 16 to 1.3 104 µg kg−1 lipid content (lw) for DDTs, from 17 to 1.5 104 µg kg−1 lw for PCBs and from 20.0 to 501 µg kg−1 ww for mercury (Hg). TMFs of this deep, cold lake, with a prevalent pelagic trophic chain, were high and clearly indicated fish biomagnification, except for PFAS. The biomagnification capability of PFAS in a fish-only food web was discussed by using the biomagnification of Hg as a benchmark for assessing their bioaccumulation potential.

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