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In Situ Exposure of Aquatic Invertebrates to Detect the Effects of Point and Nonpoint Source-Related Chemical Pollution in Aquatic Ecosystems

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In Situ Bioavailability and Toxicity of Organic Chemicals in Aquatic Systems

Part of the book series: Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology ((MIPT))

Abstract

As an intermediate step between laboratory and (semi-)field experiments, in situ bioassays are a valuable active biomonitoring tool for the assessment of effects. By measuring lethal or sublethal responses of caged aquatic (in)vertebrates in the field, the biological consequences of point and nonpoint sources of pollution can be determined. As the test organisms—here we focus on aquatic invertebrates—and response variables selected can be diverse, we first provide some general considerations related to the experimental design including the selection of test species, sampling sites, response variables, replication, as well as data evaluation. Subsequently, a case study using leaf-shredding amphipods as model organisms for the assessment of point sources of pollution is presented to underpin these theoretical considerations by a practical example. Thereby, a more detailed protocol is provided to contextualize the results of this case study. All in all, this book chapter aims at providing guidance for researchers interested in employing in situ bioassays in their studies or monitoring efforts.

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Acknowledgments

Figures 3 and 4 were reprinted with permission from Bundschuh, M., Pierstorf, R., Schreiber, W.H., and Schulz, R. (2011). Positive effects of wastewater ozonation can be displayed by in situ bioassays in the receiving stream. Environmental Science & Technology 45(8), 3774-3780. Copyright 2011 American Chemical Society.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany

    Mirco Bundschuh & Ralf Schulz

  2. Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden

    Mirco Bundschuh

Authors
  1. Mirco Bundschuh
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  2. Ralf Schulz
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mirco Bundschuh .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Hygiene-Institut des Ruhrgebiets, Gelsenkirchen, Germany

    Thomas-Benjamin Seiler

  2. Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Markus Brinkmann

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Bundschuh, M., Schulz, R. (2019). In Situ Exposure of Aquatic Invertebrates to Detect the Effects of Point and Nonpoint Source-Related Chemical Pollution in Aquatic Ecosystems. In: Seiler, TB., Brinkmann, M. (eds) In Situ Bioavailability and Toxicity of Organic Chemicals in Aquatic Systems. Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/7653_2019_33

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/7653_2019_33

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-2352-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-0716-2353-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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