Derivation of marine water quality criteria for metals based on a novel QICAR-SSD model

Abstract

Establishment of water quality criteria (WQC) is one procedure for protection of marine organisms and their ecosystems. This study, which integrated two separate approaches, quantitative ion character-activity relationships (QICARs) and species sensitivity distributions (SSDs), developed a novel QICAR-SSD model. The QICARs predict relative potencies of individual elements while SSDs integrate relative sensitivities among organisms. The QICAR-SSD approach was applied to derive saltwater WQC for 34 metals or metalloids. Relationships between physicochemical properties of metal ions and their corresponding potencies for acute toxicity to eight selected marine species were determined. The softness index (σp) exhibited the strongest correlation with the acute toxicity of metals (r (2) > 0.66, F > 5.88, P < 0.94 × 10(-2)). Predictive criteria maximum concentrations for the eight metals, derived by applying the SSD approach to values predicted by use of QICARs, were within the same order of magnitude as values recommended by the US EPA (2009). In general, the results support that the QICAR-SSD approach is a rapid method to estimate WQC for metals for which little or no information is available for marine organisms.

A QSAR–ICE–SSD model prediction of the PNECs for alkylphenol substances and application in ecological risk assessment for rivers of a megacity

“…The use of models to extrapolate and predict toxicity data is widely applied internationally ( Bejarano et al, 2017 ; Brill et al, 2016 ; Fan et al, 2019 ; Fojut et al, 2012a ; Fojut et al, 2012b ; Khan et al, 2019 ; Roy et al, 2015 ; Wang et al, 2020 ; Wu et al, 2015 ; Wu et al, 2016 ; Zhang et al, 2017b ). Quantitative Structure Activity Relationships (QSAR) models are based on a variety of mathematical approaches to predict activities and properties of untested chemicals on the basis of their molecular structure ( Chen et al, 2015 ; Mu et al, 2014 ; Wu et al, 2013 ; Huang et al, 2022 ). QSAR model are recognized worldwide as alternatives to animal testing to estimate chemical effects on cells and tissues and untested vertebrates, invertebrates, and microorganisms ( Galimberti et al, 2020 ).…”

Hardness-Dependent Water Quality Criteria for Protection of Freshwater Aquatic Organisms for Silver in China

“…Due to its toxicity and environmental risk, silver is classified as a hazardous substance for freshwater aquatic organisms in many countries [6,14,15]. Water quality criteria (WQC) for the protection of freshwater aquatic organisms are the maximum concentrations of pollutants allowed in water that serve as the threshold for the health and safety of freshwater aquatic organisms [16][17][18]. WQC, as the scientific foundation of water quality standards, plays an important role in environmental management [19][20][21][22].…”

Model for Predicting Toxicities of Metals and Metalloids in Coastal Marine Environments Worldwide

“…Persistence and stability of metals in the environment can have negative effects on marine species and can, in some cases, indirectly affect the health of humans through biological magnification. Toxic potencies of metals to marine species are mainly determined not only by their physiochemical characteristics, − but also by environmental conditions, such as temperature, acidity, and ionic strength as well as concentrations of specific inorganic salts and dissolved organic matter. − …”