Influences of subsampling and modeling assumptions on the US environmental protection agency field‐based benchmark for conductivity

Roark, Shaun A.; Wolf, Craig F; Jong, Grant D. De; Gensemer, Robert W.; Canton, Steven P.

doi:10.1002/ieam.1438

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 4 publications

(13 reference statements)

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“…, Roark et al . ), and experimental studies are needed to validate field‐derived criteria. However, most previous experimental work has primarily focused on the effects of relatively high EC on aquatic invertebrates (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of total dissolved solids on growth and mortality predict distributions of stream macroinvertebrates

Olson

Hawkins

2017

Freshwater Biology

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Summary Spatial distributions of many freshwater invertebrates are associated with the concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS) in streams (usually measured as specific electrical conductivity – EC). These patterns are presumably caused by taxon‐specific effects of TDS on the maintenance of ion and water balance, which is energetically expensive and thus could affect fitness. However, no studies have assessed if TDS‐related effects on fitness metrics, such as growth and survival, are predictive of distributions. We used stream‐side, flow‐through microcosms to experimentally determine how TDS concentration influenced three life‐history performance measures (growth, mortality and emergence) of 13 species of aquatic insects. We then modelled the relationship between experimentally derived performance measures and both EC optima and minima estimated from field surveys. In the streamside experiment, we exposed taxa to stream water with naturally low (<25 μS cm−1) and moderate (>125 μS cm−1) EC for 83 days, controlling for differences in habitat, temperature, food availability and pH. We measured performance as the differences in specific growth rates, survival and adult emergence between the two treatments. Treatment effects on performance varied among taxa and with performance metric. Survival differences between treatments varied from 1 to 21 days, and specific growth rates differed by 0.07–1.5 day−1. Emergence success was less variable (>20% for only two taxa). Three taxa performed better in the low EC treatment, six in the moderate EC treatment, one had a mixed response and three taxa did not differ between treatments. The best model predicting field‐derived EC optima included both survival and specific growth rate as predictors (R2 = 0.68). Estimates of EC minima were not as strongly related to performance measures as were optima estimates. Taxa with greater performance in the moderate EC treatment had the highest EC optima, indicating that low TDS concentrations could restrict the distributions of taxa adapted to higher TDS concentrations. In contrast to taxa with higher EC preferences, taxa that can tolerate low EC environments will likely be increasingly stressed as stream TDS increases in response to climate and land–use change expected this century.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of total dissolved solids on growth and mortality predict distributions of stream macroinvertebrates

Olson

Hawkins

2017

Freshwater Biology

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“…Recently, criteria derivation approaches based on species sensitivity distributions with field‐derived data rather than data from laboratory experiments have been proposed (Cormier et al, 2013; Cormier, Zheng, & Flaherty, 2018a, 2018b; Cormier, Zheng, Hill, et al, 2018). However, the suitability of this approach for criteria development is uncertain (Roark et al, 2013), and draft methods for developing aquatic life criteria for specific conductivity were not finalized by USEPA (USEPA, 2016b), largely due to technical criticisms of these field‐based methods made by various stakeholders.…”

Section: Modeling Types and Alternativesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of regulatory modeling frameworks supporting numeric water quality criteria development in the United States

Barnhart

Flinders

2022

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

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The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has a long history of leveraging environmental models and integrated modeling frameworks to support the regulatory development of numeric ambient water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic life and human health. Primary modeling types include conceptual, mechanistic, and data-driven empirical models; Bayesian and probabilistic models; and risk-based modeling frameworks. These models and modeling frameworks differ in their applicability to and suitability for various water quality criteria objectives. They require varying knowledge of system processes and stressor-response relationships, data availability, and expertise of stakeholders. In addition, models can be distinguished by their ability to characterize variability and uncertainty. In this work, we review USEPA recommendations for model use in existing regulatory frameworks, technical support documents, and peer-reviewed literature. We characterize key attributes, identify knowledge gaps and opportunities for future research, and highlight where renewed USEPA guidance is needed to promote the development and use of models in numeric criteria derivation. These outcomes then inform a decision-based framework for determining model suitability under particular scenarios of available knowledge, data, and access to technical resources.

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“…Response to Roark et al (2013) At present, humanity has no organization charged with assessing the health and integrity of Earth's biosphere. Literature is beginning to appear on the possibility of a planetary state shift in Earth's biosphere (e.g., Barnosky et al 2012).…”

Section: Conductivity Benchmark: Sampling and Modeling Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although there probably is not a single approach for addressing the biases introduced by unbounded values in SSDs, it is recommended that whatever choice is made, the consequences of including or excluding the unbounded values be described in the risk assessment. In a prior Learned Discourse, Roark et al (2013) attempted to cast doubt on a set of papers published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry ) and a USEPA (2011) report that used field data to derive a benchmark for conductivity in streams. They conclude, contrary to the findings of the journal's reviewers and a review panel of the USEPA's independent Science Advisory Board (SAB), ''that 300 mS/ cm has little relevance as an effect threshold for macroinvertebrates in these streams.''…”

Section: As Illustrated Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scientific assessment and traditional knowledge: A match not made in Heaven

Binion¹

2013

Integr Environ Assess Manag

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Influences of subsampling and modeling assumptions on the US environmental protection agency field‐based benchmark for conductivity

Abstract: Integr Environ Assess Manag 2013;9:533–534. © 2013 SETAC

Cited by 9 publications

References 4 publications

Effects of total dissolved solids on growth and mortality predict distributions of stream macroinvertebrates

Effects of total dissolved solids on growth and mortality predict distributions of stream macroinvertebrates

A review of regulatory modeling frameworks supporting numeric water quality criteria development in the United States

Scientific assessment and traditional knowledge: A match not made in Heaven

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