Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 15.2
Estimated Effects Levels Associated with Increasing Sediment PAH Concentration for Selected
Liver Lesions, Indicators of Reproductive Dysfunction, and DNA Damage in English Sole
Any
Toxicopathic
Liver Lesion
(%)
Inhibited
Gonadal
Development
(%)
Infertile
Eggs,
% of Eggs
Spawned
DNA Damage
(nmol
Adducts/mol
bases)
Liver
Cancer
(%)
Inhibition of
Spawning
(%)
PAHs
(ppb dry wt)
50
0
0
15
12
38
5
100
0
0
15
12
38
5
1000
9
0
15
17
42
25
2000
18
0
15
25
48
36
3000
24
1
15
30
51
43
5000
31
3
18
35
55
51
10,000
40
6
27
43
61
63
100,000
71
16
58
69
80
100
Source:
Adapted from Johnson, L.L. et al.,
Aquat. Conserv.: Mar. Fresh. Ecosyst
., 12, 517-538, 2002.
is needed (Handy et al. 2002; Lam and Gray 2003), but such approaches probably cannot
be standardized across a large geographic scale, such as the entire United States, because
of differences in the biological communities across such distances. However, regional
approaches to effects-based monitoring are proving to be effective, especially when linked
to management actions. In Puget Sound, an approach was recently recommended for
addressing the complex issue of toxic chemical contaminants in that aquatic ecosystem
(Collier et al. 2007). The recommended approach consisted of three parts: (1) identification
of sources and quantification of loadings to the estuary; (2) development and implemen-
tation of strategies for source reductions and source control; and (3) biologically based
monitoring and assessment, to determine the effectiveness of source control strategies.
Biomarkers, appropriately applied, will be important tools in regional efforts such as these,
and future monitoring programs should be sustainable if they are able to make linkages
between biological outcomes and management actions.
15.4 Approaches in Asia
Rapid urban and industrial development and associated pollution in Asia have seen grow-
ing public awareness and concern on environmental problems and related human health
issues. In the Asia Pacific region in general, and Hong Kong and China in particular,
environmental sustainability is among the top government priorities and policies. It has
now been recognized that proper management of the environment, in particular, water
resources, is vital to protect public health and sustain socioeconomic development.
The history and development of biomarkers for water quality monitoring have been
fully discussed in other chapters. It is recognized that the environmental fate and bioavail-
ability of contaminants can be accounted for when biomarkers are used for water quality
monitoring. There is therefore a worldwide trend to supplement chemical-based monitor-
ing data with effects-related biomonitoring data (Handy et al. 2002; Lam and Gray 2003).
Although many biomarkers are still in the experimental stage of development and are not
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