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Aquatic Life Use Support (ALUS)
Biocriteria Links
Table 3. Hierarchy of Toxicological Approaches and Levels for Evaluation of Aquatic Life Use Attainment
Level of Info a Technical Components Spatial/Temporal Coverage Data Quality b 1 Any one of the following:
- Acute or chronic WET
- Acute ambient
- Acute sediment
1-2 WET tests/yr. or 1 ambient or sediment sample tested in a segment or site Unknown/low; minimal replication used; laboratory quality or expertise unknown 2 Any of the following:
- Acute or chronic ambient
- Acute sediment
- Acute and chronic WET for effluent- dominated system
3-4 WET tests/yr. or 2 ambient or sediment samples tested in a segment or site at different times Low/moderate--little replication used within a site; laboratory quality or expertise unknown or low 3 Any of the following:
- Acute and chronic WET for effluent- dominated system
- Chronic ambient or acute or chronic sediment
Monthly WET tests or total of 3 tests based on samples collected in a segment at 3 different times Moderate/high--replication used; trained personnel and good laboratory quality 4 Both of the following:
- Acute and chronic ambient and
- Acute or chronic sediment
4 tests in total based on samples collected in a segment at 4 different times including low flow conditions High--replication used; trained personnel and good laboratory quality
a Level of information refers to rigor of toxicity testing, where 1 = lowest and 4 = highest
b Refers to ability of the toxicity testing endpoints to detect impairment or to differentiate along a gradient of environmental conditions