Review of existing terrestrial bioaccumulation models and terrestrial bioaccumulation modeling needs for organic chemicals.

Protocols for terrestrial bioaccumulation assessments are far less-developed than for aquatic systems. This article reviews modeling approaches that can be used to assess the terrestrial bioaccumulation potential of commercial organic chemicals. Models exist for plant, invertebrate, mammal, and avian species and for entire terrestrial food webs, including some that consider spatial factors.

Comparing laboratory and field measured bioaccumulation endpoints.

An approach for comparing laboratory and field measures of bioaccumulation is presented to facilitate the interpretation of different sources of bioaccumulation data. Differences in numerical scales and units are eliminated by converting the data to dimensionless fugacity (or concentration-normalized) ratios. The approach expresses bioaccumulation metrics in terms of the equilibrium status of the chemical, with respect to a reference phase.

Comparing laboratory- and field-measured biota-sediment accumulation factors.

Standardized laboratory protocols for measuring the accumulation of chemicals from sediments are used in assessing new and existing chemicals, evaluating navigational dredging materials, and establishing site-specific biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) for contaminated sediment sites. The BSAFs resulting from the testing protocols provide insight into the behavior and risks associated with individual chemicals. In addition to laboratory measurement, BSAFs can also be calculated from field data, including samples from studies using in situ exposure chambers and caging studies.

Application of the tissue residue approach in ecological risk assessment.

The objective of this work is to present a critical review of the application of the tissue residue approach (TRA) in ecological risk and/or impact assessment (ERA) of chemical stressors and environmental criteria development. A secondary goal is to develop a framework for integrating the TRA into ecological assessments along with traditional, exposure concentration-based assessment approaches. Although widely recognized for its toxicological appeal, the utility of the TRA in specific applications will depend on numerous factors, such as chemical properties, exposure characteristics, assessment type, availability of tissue residue-response data, and ability to quantify chemical exposure.

The tissue residue approach for toxicity assessment: findings and critical reviews from a Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Pellston Workshop.

Over the past few years, the "critical body residue" approach for assessing toxicity based on bioaccumulated chemicals has evolved into a more expansive consideration of tissue residues as the dose metric when defining dose-response relationships, evaluating mixtures, developing protective guidelines, and conducting risk assessments. Hence, scientists refer to "tissue residue approach for toxicity assessment" or "tissue residue-effects approach" (TRA) when addressing ecotoxicology issues pertaining to tissue (or internal) concentrations. This introduction provides an overview of a SETAC Pellston Workshop held in 2007 to review the state of the science for using tissue residues as the dose metric in environmental toxicology.

A physiologically based toxicokinetic model for methylmercury in female American kestrels.

A physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) model was developed to describe the uptake, distribution, and elimination of methylmercury (CH(3)Hg) in female American kestrels. The model consists of six tissue compartments corresponding to the brain, liver, kidney, gut, red blood cells, and remaining carcass. Additional compartments describe the elimination of CH(3)Hg to eggs and growing feathers.

Evaluation of two methods for prediction of bioaccumulation factors.

Two methods for deriving bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in development of water quality criteria were evaluated using polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) data from the Hudson River and Green Bay ecosystems.

Development of aquatic life criteria for selenium: a regulatory perspective on critical issues and research needs.

The US is currently in the process of revising its freshwater, chronic aquatic life criterion for selenium. The fundamental issues being addressed include which environmental compartment(s) support the most reliable expression of the criterion, which form(s) of selenium should be measured in the medium (media) of choice, and which site-specific water quality (or other factors) should be linked to the expression of the criterion. Literature reviews and a recent workshop were conducted to assess the state of the science on various issues related to water-, tissue- and sediment-based criteria for selenium.