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AQUATIC ECOTOXICOLOGY |
Aquatic Toxicity and Ecotoxicology
EnviroGulf Consulting (EGC) assesses contaminant risk to ecological resources using an ecotoxicological and extrapolation approach based on: a review and evaluation of contaminant data to identify the nature of the hazard; review of toxicity data in the literature; identification of the conditions of exposure (e.g., intensity, frequency, and duration of exposure) based on either monitoring data or predicted by modelling; and a combination of the information on toxicity and exposure data to estimate the probability that receiving water biota may be adversely affected by the wastewater discharge being examined.
EGC has an in-depth understanding of the principles involved in assessing the fate, behaviour and effects of contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. This expertise allows the ability to anticipate, document and predict biological and toxicity effects.
Consulting Services
The main services available are as follows:
- Advice service on effluent toxicity testing and assessment.
- Design, planning and supervision of bioassays and toxicity tests performed in situ using wastewater discharges.
- Toxicological assessment of industrial wastewater discharges, component effluent streams, and receiving water environments using modelling procedures.
- Ecotoxicological evaluation of monitoring data on waters receiving waste and wastewater discharges.
- Determination of contaminant pathways.
- Assessment of client's compliance with toxicity criteria and requirements set by regulatory authorities.
Toxicity Bioassays
EGC subcontracts analytical and toxicological laboratories to conduct the following tests under supervision, as well as taking concurrent test media samples for chemical analysis.
Rapid Screening Tests:
- Microtox EC50 bacterial luminescence assay (15 min.).
- Daphnia magna IQ Toxicity Test (1hr 15 min).
- Other toxicity screening tests.
Standardised tests:
- 24-hr, 48-hr and 96-hr static toxicity bioassays using international reference test species, e.g., brown trout (Salmo trutta), rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss), Daphnia,and/or local species.
- OECD internationally recognised tests for chemicals and water quality:
- 201 - Freshwater Alga and Cyanobacteria, Growth Inhibition Test.
- 221 - Lemna sp. Growth Inhibition Test.
- 202 - Daphnia sp. Acute Immobilisation Test.
- 211 - Daphnia magna Reproduction Test: 21 day study.
- 203 - Fish, Acute Toxicity Test.
- 204 - Fish, Prolonged Toxicity Test: 14-Day Study.
- 212 - Fish, Short-term Toxicity Test on Embryo and Sac-Fry Stages.
- 215 - Fish, Juvenile Growth Test.
- Other effluent and marine water quality tests:
- Sea urchin (Heliocidaris tuberculata) Fertilisation Test.
- 72-hour sea urchin (Heliocidaris tuberculata) Larval Development Test.
- 48-hour Doughboy Scallop (Mimachlamys asperrima) Larval Development Test.
- 96-hour Juvenile Amphipod (Allorchestes compressa) Acute Toxicity Test.
- 96-hour Macroalgal (Hormosira banksii) Germination Test.
- 96-hour Larval Fish (Latris lineata) Toxicity Test.
Field In situ Tests:
- Fish exposed in aquaria supplied by pumped effluent.
- Fish exposed in floating cages moored in effluent streams or receiving waters.
The above toxicity tests are conducted according to standardised procedures developed overseas and approved by local regulatory authorities. Where effluents have degradable toxicants, continuous flow-through or semi-static (solution renewal) tests may be substituted.
Chronic Toxicity Testing
Dilution and dispersion of effluent toxicants in receiving waters results in low concentrations of toxicants and chronic exposure conditions. EGC do not recommend clients to conduct chronic toxicity testing, unless specifically required by regulatory authorities. Retrospective biological monitoring of receiving waters is recommended for investigating sublethal effects and ecosystem response in receiving waters. In this manner toxicant acclimatisation and behavioural avoidance are taken into account, and corrective actions may be taken if unforeseen subtle sublethal effects are manifested in the receiving environment.
Predictive Toxicity
The normal approach to predicting the effects of toxic wastewater discharges is an examination of the concentrations and mass-flows of toxicants in the receiving waters in relation to the known quality characteristics of an effluent discharge. EGC uses a complementary approach using a predictive toxicity index based on a toxic units model which uses the LC50 values of commonly occurring pollutants in receiving waters.
EGC operates a computerised version of the toxic units model for predicting the toxicity of complex effluents containing dissolved metal contaminants, cyanides and, or, phenols and offers this service to clients as part of an overall ecotoxicological assessment.
Experience
Research Fellow, Applied Hydrobiology Research Station, Uttoxeter, England:
- Responsible for contract research investigations of the long-term effects of oxidised sewage effluent containing heavy metals on experimental stream ecosystems (mesocosms). Contaminants at issue were cadmium, lead, chromium, nickel, copper and zinc.
- Studies included assessments of the long term effects on algae, macroinvertebrates and fish (eggs, eleutheroembryos, larvae, juveniles and adults).
- Protracted in situ toxicity testing was carried out and related to water quality based on continuous and 15-minute snap water sampling.
Ecotoxicological studies and impact assessment:
- Bell Bay Pulp Mill Project (2007) - Review of the behaviour, toxicity and fate of effluent-derived chlorate (ClO3-) in the marine environment, including an assessment of chlorate persistence and natural degradation processes (to Gunns Limited).
- Basslink Draft Integrated Impact Assessment Statement (2000-2002) - Assessment of the marine biological effects of chlorine produced oxidants and halogenated organic compounds produced at the positive electrode (anode) of the proposed Basslink Interconnector across Bass Strait - on the basis of computer-predicted chlorine residual concentrations and transport and dispersion modelling (to NSR for Basslink Proprietory Limited).
- Ramu Nickel Project Environmental Plan (1999) - Riverine, coastal and deep-sea environmental impact of lateritic nickel mining wastes and wastewaters (to NSR for Highlands Pacific Limited).
- East Perth Gasworks Site Rehabilitation (1990) - Planning and implementation of surveys for estuarine waters, bed sediments and associated fauna for environmental impact and risk assessment of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in groundwater and surface runoff from a former gasworks site contaminating the Swan River, Western Australia (with NSR for Camp. Scott & Furphy Pty. Ltd.).
- ANM Boyer Pulp and Paper Mill (1989) - Analysis and interpretation of process effluent and metal residues in the River Derwent and environmental consequences of river dredging operations (with NSR for Benders Civil Developments Pty. Ltd.).
- Ramu Nickel Project (1998-99) - Riverine, coastal and deep-sea environmental impact of lateritic nickel mining wastes and wastewaters (to NSR for Highlands Pacific Limited).
- Northshore Noosa Project (1986) - Review of sewage effluent management options and assessment of potential water quality impacts on the Noosa River, Queensland (with NSR/Maunsell & Partners for Leisuremark Australia Pty,. Ltd).
- Beaconsfield Gold Mine (1989) - Environmental assessment of the toxicity of cyanidation tailing and tailing pond cyanogenic supernatant and prediction of potential environmental effects on the Tamar Estuary, Tasmania (with NSR for John Miedecke & Partners Pty. Ltd.).
- Bukit Young Goldmine (1989) - Assessment of water and wastewater management, disposal and detoxification of cyanided gold mill and heap leach effluents from the Bukit Young Gold Mine, Sarawak, Malaysia (with NSR for Middle East Timber Company, Singapore).
- Port Moresby industrial Port Study (1986) - Assessment of the marine biological effects of constructing and operating a proposed copper concentrate transhipment terminal within Port Moresby's Halifax Harbour (with NSR for PNG Harbours Board).
- Butler Transport Chemical Fire (1986) - Assessment of the impact and potential toxicity of leachate from contaminated soil remaining on site after clean-up operations on aquatic life in a tidal channel and Dynon Road Wildlife Reserve (with NSR Environmental Consultants Pty. Ltd.).
- Misima Gold Project Environmental Plan (1985-86) - Assessment of the marine biological effects of at-depth marine tailing disposal and near-surface dumping of soft oxidised waste, on the basis of aeration-dilution and bioassay tests, field dump trials and predictions of waste transport and dispersion (with NSR for Placer (PNG) Pty. Limited).
- Porgera Gold Project Environmental Plan (1985-86) - Assessment of river biological effects of mill tailing and mine waste disposal, based on laboratory aeration-dilution and bioassay tests and river transport modelling (with NSR for Placer (PNG) Pty. Limited).
Technical Reports / Publications:
- Balloch, D. (1985). Procedures for the toxicity testing and monitoring of mining wastewaters. Ok Tedi Mining Limited, Papua New Guinea. Technical Report No. PA/03/85-6.
- Balloch, D. (1984). The effects of particulate and dissolved copper on aquatic organisms. Ok Tedi Mining Limited, Papua New Guinea. Technical Report No. PA/03/84-29.
- Balloch, D. (1984). Toxicity of cadmium and a review of water quality criteria. Ok Tedi Mining Limited, Papua New Guinea. Technical Report No. PA/03/84-13.
- Hortle, G.H., Balloch, D. and Maie, A.Y. (1990). Marine benthic fauna, sediment and trace metals near Daru Island, Western Province, Papua New Guinea. Science in New Guinea, 16(1): 1-12.
Other experience:
- See Principal's CV for other experience.
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