1、Designation: E1848 96 (Reapproved 2014)Standard Guide forSelecting and Using Ecological Endpoints for ContaminatedSites1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1848; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of revision, the
2、year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon () indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This guide covers an approach to identification,selection, and use of ecological endpoints (both assessment an
3、dmeasurement endpoints) (1-8)2that are susceptible to the directand indirect effects of both chemical and non-chemical stress-ors or agents associated with wastes and contaminated media atspecific sites under current and future land uses. It does notaddress assessment and measurement endpoints for n
4、on-sitespecific studies (for example, chemical-specific or regional riskassessments) or measurements in abiotic media (soil, water, orair).1.2 This guide addresses only the identification, selection,and use of assessment and measurement endpoints, not the fullrange of activities that occur in an eco
5、logical assessment orecological risk assessment at a contaminated site (1, 3-8).These activities are addressed in other ASTM guides andreferences provided at the end of this guide.1.3 This guide is intended to identify assessment andmeasurement endpoints to be used for screening, preliminary,focused
6、, detailed, and quantitative ecological risk assessmentsconducted in a linear or iterative fashion (3, 8). This is a partial,incomplete listing of possible levels of assessment. In a tieredecological risk assessment, it may be necessary to redefineecological endpoints when planning to collect more d
7、ata orwhen additional site data are obtained and evaluated.1.4 This guide is intended to be used by trained biologists,ecologists, and ecotoxicologists familiar with risk assessment,and ecological and ecotoxicological concepts.1.5 This guide (including Appendix X1) consists of a seriesof options or
8、instructions and does not recommend a specificcourse of action or provide detailed guidelines to be followedat all sites. See 2.2.2 of Regulations Governing ASTM Techni-cal Committees.31.6 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
9、responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:4,5E943 Terminology Relating to Biological Effects and Envi-ronmental FateE1689 Guide fo
10、r Developing Conceptual Site Models forContaminated Sites3. Terminology3.1 DefinitionsDefinitions are provided specifically foruse with this guide. Many of the terms listed in this sectionhave been modified from those defined in other publications(1-8).3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Stand
11、ard:3.2.1 assessment endpointan explicit expression of anenvironmental value (ecological, not monetary) to be protected(3).3.2.1.1 DiscussionAn assessment endpoint is an ecologi-cal condition of potential concern or effect experienced by an1This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E50 o
12、n EnvironmentalAssessment, Risk Management and Corrective Action and is the direct responsibil-ity of Subcommittee E50.05 on Environmental Risk Management.Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2014. Published March 2014. Originallyapproved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as E1848 96(2008)
13、.DOI: 10.1520/E1848-96R14.2The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to a list of references at theend of the text.3Available from ASTM International Headquarters and the ASTM website,www.astm.org.4For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Customer Ser
14、vice at serviceastm.org. For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.5A bibliography of related references and documents is provided in AppendixX2.Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohoc
15、ken, PA 19428-2959. United States1ecological receptor with ecological and societal value thatdrives risk-based decision-making at a contaminated site (forexample, a specific reduction in the abundance of a fishpopulation or the disruption of the structure of benthic com-munity). It is a qualitative,
16、 quantitative, or quantifiableexpression, measure, metric, or index involving an ecologicalreceptor at risk. Under some circumstances, assessment end-points may be measured and used directly for assessmentpurposes. Assessment endpoints are the ultimate focus in riskcharacterization and link measurem
17、ent endpoints (see below)to policy goals and the risk management process (1-3, 5, 6, 8).3.2.2 chemical stressora chemical, chemical mixture orradionuclide present in an environmental medium that isknown or suspected to induce an adverse biological, toxico-logical or ecological response in an exposed
18、 ecological recep-tor (3-8).3.2.2.1 DiscussionA chemical stressor is often referred toas an “ecological contaminant of concern.”3.2.3 exposure areaa geographic location in which one ormore site-related stressors are present and ecological receptorsare potentially exposed.3.2.4 direct effectan advers
19、e impact on an exposed eco-logical receptor (for example, increased mortality or reducedgrowth) as a result of the action of a site-related stressor.3.2.5 ecological endpointa general term to refer to anassessment or measurement endpoint in an ecological riskassessment (2,3).3.2.5.1 DiscussionMeasur
20、ement of chemical concentra-tions in soil, water, or air are not ecological endpoints; thesemeasurements indicate exposure levels that may be used toevaluate the potential for an ecological response.3.2.6 ecological receptorecosystems, habitats,communities, populations, and individual organisms (exc
21、epthumans) that can be exposed directly or indirectly to sitestressors (3,4,7,8).3.2.7 endpointan ecological characteristic (measure,metric, or index) that may be adversely affected by a site-related stressor (4).3.2.8 indirect effectan adverse impact on an ecologicalreceptor (for example, predator)
22、 resulting from the direct effectof a stressor on another ecological receptor (for example,reduction in food supply or habitat).3.2.9 indicator speciesan organism that is typically com-mon and represents a broad class of species present at the siteor in surrounding areas, or both.3.2.9.1 DiscussionT
23、here is sufficient information on itslife history and response to contaminants to construct a modelto predict (with uncertainty) the potential for effects.3.2.10 measurement endpointa measurable response to astressor (measure, metric, or index) that is quantifiably relatedto the valued characteristi
24、c chosen as the assessment endpoint(3).3.2.10.1 DiscussionExamples of a measurement endpointare the reduction in the growth, survival, or reproduction ofminnows in a standard laboratory toxicity test. These examplesof measurement endpoints would be appropriate for assessmentendpoints defined as spec
25、ific predefined reductions in thegrowth, survival, or reduction in a forage fish population in astream, river, or lake at the site (2-4, 8).3.2.10.2 DiscussionA measurement endpoint may serveas an assessment endpoint if the measurement endpoint (mea-sured value) is the ecological value to be protect
26、ed. See relatedterm measure of effect(9).3.2.11 non-chemical stressora biological agent, physicaldisturbance, condition, or non-chemical characteristic of awaste material, substrate, or source associated with a contami-nated site and corrective actions that is known or suspected tointerfere with the
27、 normal functioning of an ecological receptor(3).3.2.11.1 DiscussionNon-native species, biologically engi-neered organisms, and pathogens are examples of non-chemical biological stressors. Radiation other than that asso-ciated with specific radionuclides, erosion, dredging,impounding, grading, veget
28、ation removal and similaralterations/disruptions, altered particle size distribution, sub-strate instability, temperature and pH extremes, dissolvedoxygen content, water-holding capacity, organic content,physical effects of oil, and similar site characteristics unrelatedto specific chemicals are non
29、-chemical stressors. No specificterm is proposed for non-chemical stressors that corresponds to“ecological contaminant of concern” for chemical stressors.4. Significance and Use4.1 This guide assumes that a decision has been made thatan ecological risk assessment is required for a contaminatedsite.
30、In some cases, this decision could be made before any sitedata are collected.4.2 The selection of assessment endpoints (defined as eco-logical values to be protected) and measurement endpoints(ecological characteristics related to the assessment endpoints)is a critical step in conducting an ecologic
31、al risk assessment.Endpoint selection identifies those effects which are ecologi-cally significant and not merely those that are adverse, thusproviding a more rational and defensible basis for making riskand remedial decisions.4.3 This guide provides an approach for identifying, select-ing and using
32、 assessment and measurement endpoints in anecological risk assessment for a contaminated site. This guidehas been developed because there is no universal, simplemeasure of ecological health analogous to measures used inhuman health risk assessment. Assessment and measurementendpoints have to be iden
33、tified and selected from a variety ofindividual circumstances on a stressor-, ecosystem- and scale-specific basis. It is important to recognize that a diverse set ofecological endpoints could be required for a specific site.4.4 This guide is intended to be used primarily by abiologist, ecologist, ec
34、otoxicologist, or a team of environmen-tal scientists during problem formulation and work plandevelopment prior to initiating data collection activities at acontaminated site (3-8, 10).4.5 Ecological risk assessment is usually an iterative pro-cess. In many circumstances it proceeds as a series of t
35、iers, thatis, desktop/screening, preliminary, and detailed/focusedE1848 96 (2014)2phases. This guide can be used to refine or modify assessmentand measurement endpoints developed in earlier phases of theprocess.4.6 This guide can be used whenever assessment andmeasurement endpoints must be identifie
36、d and selected follow-ing an initial or preliminary problem formulation/planningphase:4.6.1 Analysis phase (exposure assessment, hazard/effectsassessment, stress/dose-response assessment;4.6.2 Risk characterization phase; or4.6.3 Remediation phase and possible subsequent ecologi-cal monitoring.4.7 T
37、his guide is intended to be used in the evaluation ofbaseline conditions (current and future) and in the evaluation ofconditions resulting from remedial actions or corrective mea-sures.5. General Considerations5.1 Ecological risk assessment is a process of evaluatingrisks to individuals (in the case
38、 of threatened or endangeredspecies or those afforded special protection), populations,communities and ecosystems exposed to chemical and non-chemical stressors. Stressors can act individually or togetherover multiple ecosystem types and diverse spatial scales.Conditions of the site and risk assessm
39、ent that should beconsidered in identifying and selecting assessment and mea-surement endpoints include (2,3):5.1.1 Stressor CharacteristicsTypes, properties, intensity,interactions, and spatial and temporal patterns;5.1.2 Ecosystem TypesAquatic, terrestrial, and wetlandsand their subcategories (for
40、 example, marine);5.1.3 Spatial ScaleThe exposure area over which theexposure to the stressor occurs and direct and indirect ecologi-cal effects are potentially produced;5.1.4 Temporal ScaleThe expected duration of exposure(acute to chronic) to the stressor, direct and indirect ecologicaleffects, an
41、d recovery time following removal of the stressor;5.1.5 Ecological OrganizationThe level of biological or-ganization (individual, population, community, or ecosystem)at which risk to an ecological receptor is to be assessed; and5.1.6 Functionality/ValuesSite-specific factors contribut-ing to the imp
42、ortance of local ecological receptors.5.2 Assessment and measurement endpoints are selected forspecific ecosystem and stressor combinations associated with asite. Assessment and measurement endpoints may addressmultiple ecosystem and habitat types, spatial and temporalscales, and levels of ecologica
43、l organization.5.3 The conceptual site model describes sources, releasesand transport pathways for contaminants present at a site. Thisinformation is used to define exposure pathways and exposureareas and is usually developed before identifying and selectingendpoints. Assessment and measurement endp
44、oints should beidentified for all exposure pathways considered at a site.Ecological endpoints become part of the conceptual site model.Exposure pathway/exposure area and combinations of assess-ment and measurement endpoints can be selected from thislarge set for subsequent analysis. Guide E1689 shou
45、ld beconsulted on procedures for developing the conceptual sitemodel.5.4 The following characterize some of the uses or roles ofassessment and measurement endpoints in an ecological riskassessment:5.4.1 Incorporate resources potentially at risk or that requireprotection into the risk assessment proc
46、ess;5.4.2 Complete development of a conceptual site model andproblem formulation;5.4.3 Design field and laboratory studies, toxicity tests, andother data collection requirements;5.4.4 Focus site remediation/corrective actions;5.4.5 Evaluate potential efficacy of remedial alternatives/technologies; a
47、nd5.4.6 Evaluate recovery of impacted populations,communities, and ecosystems.6. Desirable Characteristics of Assessment andMeasurement Endpoints6.1 Desirable characteristics of assessment endpointsinclude, but are not limited to, the following (2,3):6.1.1 Relevant to decision-making, local public c
48、oncerns,and ecological considerations (societal or ecological relevance,or both);6.1.2 Relevant to the site or surrounding area, or both, undercurrent or future land uses, or both (current and futureendpoints may be different);6.1.3 Potentially susceptible to adverse effects from expo-sure to one or
49、 more site contaminants or stressors;6.1.4 Consistent with the spatial and temporal scale of theaction of stressors present at the site;6.1.5 Address ecological receptors that are expected toreceive higher exposure to site contaminants or stressorsrelative to other ecological receptors;6.1.6 Amenable to hypothesis formulation, evaluation, andprediction; and6.1.7 Value to be protected is clearly defined.6.2 Desirable characteristics of measurement endpointsinclude, but are not limited to (2,3):6.2.1 Correlated with or can be used to predict or inferchanges in
