Abstract
Bioconcentration factors (BCF) for regulatory purposes are usually determined by fish flow-through tests according to technical guidance document OECD 305. Fish bioconcentration studies are time consuming, expensive, and use many laboratory animals. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca can be used as an alternative test organism for bioconcentration studies. Fourteen substances of different hydrophobicity (log Kow 2.4–7.6) were tested under flow-through conditions to determine steady state and kinetic bioconcentration factors (BCFss and BCFk). The results were compared with fish BCF estimates for the same substances described in the literature to show the relationship between both values. Bioconcentration studies with the freshwater amphipod H. azteca resulted in BCF estimates which show a strong correlation with fish BCF values (r2 = 0.69). Hyalella BCF values can be assessed in accordance with the regulatory B criterion (BCF > 2000, i.e., REACH) and thereby enable the prediction of B or non-B classification in the standard fish test. Therefore, H. azteca has a high potential to be used as alternative test organism to fish for bioconcentration studies.
Highlights
The ultimate decisive bioaccumulation criterion as part of the regulatory chemical safety assessment of pesticides, biocides, pharmaceuticals, and other chemicals is the bioconcentration factor (BCF) expressing the potential of a test substance to be accumulated from the contaminated surrounding medium (European Commission 1998, 2009, 2012; VICH 2004)
The mean fresh weight of female and mixed groups ranged from 1.04- to 2.41 mg FW/organism
The results of this study demonstrate the suitability of bioconcentration tests with H. azteca to derive Bioconcentration factors (BCF) estimates which are well established in the chemical regulatory system
Summary
The ultimate decisive bioaccumulation criterion as part of the regulatory chemical safety assessment of pesticides, biocides, pharmaceuticals, and other chemicals is the bioconcentration factor (BCF) expressing the potential of a test substance to be accumulated from the contaminated surrounding medium (European Commission 1998, 2009, 2012; VICH 2004). The freshwater amphipods can be cultured in the laboratory and are available during the entire year. Due to their high reproduction rate and fast growth, experimental organisms can be raised within a few weeks to adult size to meet the need for a high amount of large organisms required for bioconcentration testing. In contrast to fish BCF tests, experimental organisms collected during the Hyalella test need to be pooled to provide sufficient biomass for tissue analysis.
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