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Assessing the Relationship Between Laboratory Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Data and In-Stream Biological Communities

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Abstract

The ability of whole effluent toxicity (WET) tests to predict in-stream effects to periphyton, benthic macroinvertebrates, and fish in a habitat-impaired stream was assessed. Habitat assessment data were useful in interpreting in-stream conditions for periphyton and benthic macroinvertebrates. Various periphyton and macroinvertebrate metrics identified siltation effects as opposed to water quality effects in-stream. Pathogen effects noted in fathead minnow WET tests were not reflected in the fish community. Overall, in-stream biological conditions confirmed the absence of water quality-related effects as predicted by WET tests.

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Acknowledgement

Special thanks to The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for funding this research.

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Correspondence to Scott Hall.

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Hall, S., Beeson, D., Kinsey, M. et al. Assessing the Relationship Between Laboratory Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Data and In-Stream Biological Communities. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 82, 270–274 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-008-9607-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-008-9607-2

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