Development and evaluation of triggers for sediment toxicity testing of pesticides with benthic macroinvertebrates

摘要

Concerns regarding the potential of pesticides that partition into sediments to affect benthic organisms have led to the development of sediment toxicity test methods. However, not all pesticides have the potential to accumulate in sediments of affect benthic organisms. Thus, a scientific rationale for identifying appropriate compounds (triggering) for regulatory sediment toxicity testing is required. Here we propose that testing should only be required for compounds that are relatively adsorptive and persistent in sediment, and also have the potential for toxicity to invertebrates.