Range of Reference Tests in Aquatic Tests

Abstract

In the EU Waste Ring test 2006/2007 a very high number of reference tests were performed for three standard (Algae, Daphnia and Luminescent bacteria) as well as various additional (Lemna, Brachyonus, Ceriodaphnia, and Pseudomonas) test systems. These results were required by the respective test guidelines to prove the sensitivity of the test organisms. In addition, tests with two reference substances provided results confirming the validity of the umu tests performed. Besides the required reference substances, in some tests additional chemicals were tested. The number of the required reference tests, mainly potassium dichromate in the standard tests, was so high that these results could be used for the re-evaluation of the data ranges listed in the test guidelines. The range given in the current Algae test guideline, based on old ring test data, should be changed and so a new range is proposed here. In the additional tests, the number of data sets provided, often with different reference substances, was much lower. Since potassium dichromate did not cause problems in the various tests, it is recommended that this substance be used as the standard reference substance in aquatic tests.