Oxidation of acid-volatile sulfide in surface sediments increases the release and toxicity of copper to the benthic amphipod Melita plumulosa

Acid-volatile sulfides (AVS) are an important metal-binding phase in sediments. For sediments that contain an excess of AVS over simultaneously extracted metal (SEM) concentrations, acute or chronic effects should not result from the metals Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. While AVS phases may exist in surface sediments, the exposure to dissolved oxygen may oxidize the AVS and release metals to more bioavailable forms. We investigated the role of oxidation of AVS, and specifically copper sulfide phases, in surface sediments, in the toxicity to juveniles of the epibenthic amphipod, Melita plumulosa. Sediments containing known amounts of copper sulfide were prepared either in situ by reacting dissolved copper with AVS that had formed in field sediments or created in sediments within the laboratory, or by addition of synthesised CuS to sediments. Regardless of the form of the copper sulfide, considerable oxidation of AVS occurred during the 10-d tests. Sediments that had a molar excess of AVS compared to SEM at the start of the tests, did not always have an excess at the end of the tests. Consistent with the AVS-SEM model, no toxicity was observed for sediments with an excess of AVS throughout the tests. However, the study highlights the need to carefully consider the changes in AVS concentrations during tests, and that measurements of AVS and SEM concentrations should carefully target the materials to which the organisms are being exposed throughout tests, which in the case of juvenile M. plumulosa is the top few mm of the sediments.     

Sensitivity of characteristic riverine insects, the caddisfly Cyrnus trimaculatus and the mayfly Ephoron virgo, to copper and diazinon

This study reports the effects of two model toxicants, copper and diazinon, on two characteristic riverine insect species, the caddisfly Cyrnus trimaculatus and the mayfly Ephoron virgo. It was demonstrated that these species are very sensitive to both compounds in comparison with aquatic insects traditionally used in ecotoxicity tests. For diazinon, the 96-h LC(50) value of Cyrnus trimaculatus (1.1 microg/l) is lower than for any other insect species known from the literature and for copper it was demonstrated that Ephoron virgo is among the most sensitive aquatic insect species. The observed low LC(50) values stress the importance of using these indigenous species in assessing the risk of environmental contaminants in large European rivers and in defining conditions for ecological recovery.     

Full life-cycle toxicity assessment using rotifer resting egg production: implications for ecological risk assessment

The majority of standardized toxicity tests incorporate only a fraction of the test organism's life-cycle. However, in natural ecosystems, organisms may be exposed at various times during their life-cycle or throughout their life-cycle. Thus, ecotoxicological data from standardized toxicity tests is of limited ecological relevance. Existing standardized toxicity tests using the freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus utilize 24-h survival or 48-h asexual reproduction as endpoints, despite evidence that sexual reproduction is more sensitive. A 96-h B. calyciflorus resting egg toxicity test was developed and used to estimate the toxicity of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and copper. Results were compared to a variety of acute and sublethal endpoints for both toxicants. The B. calyciflorus 96-h resting egg production NOEC for PCP of 10 micrograms/l was 20 times lower than the 48-h asexual reproduction no observed effect concentration (NOEC) and 120 times lower than the 24-h acute lethal concentration 50%. The 96-h resting egg production NOEC for copper of 2.8 micrograms/l was 7 times lower than the 48-h asexual reproduction NOEC and nine times lower than the 24-h acute LC50. Resting egg production was a more sensitive indicator of toxicity than several other sublethal endpoints as well. These results indicate that partial life-cycle toxicity tests are not sufficiently sensitive to detect ecologically relevant adverse effects.     

Exposure of the marine deposit feeder Hydrobia ulvae to sediment associated LAS

Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonates (LAS) effects (mortality, egestion rate, behaviour) on the marine deposit feeder Hydrobia ulvae were assessed in whole-sediment and water-only systems. The results were combined with a bioenergetic-based kinetic model of exposure pathways to account for the observed toxicity. The 10-d LC50 value based on the freely dissolved fraction was 9.3 times lower in spiked sediment (0.152 ± 0.001 (95% CI) mg/L) than in water-only (1.390 ± 0.020 (95% CI) mg/L). Consequently, the actual 10-d LC50 value (208 mg/kg) was overestimated by the Equilibrium Partitioning calculation (1629 mg/kg). This suggests that the sediment associated LAS fraction was bioavailable to the snails. It could also be due to modifications in physiological parameters in absence of sediment, the organism natural substrate.     

Aquatic toxicity of acetonitrile and its water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic life in China

The freshwater quality criteria of acetonitrile were studied on the basis of the features of the aquatic biota in China, and with reference to US EPA's guidelines. Acute tests were performed on 13 different species to determine 48h-EC₅₀/96h-EC₅₀ (or 96h-LC₅₀) values for acetonitrile. 2ld survival-reproduction tests with Daphnia magna and growth inhibition tests with Lemna minor were also conducted to estimate lower chronic limit and upper chronic limit values. In the acute tests, Radix plicatula was the most sensitive species to acetonitrile followed by Chironomus sp., Cyprinus carpio and D. magna in turn. The final acute value of acetonitrile was 2290 mg/l. In the chronic tests, reproduction of daphnids was significantly reduced by acetonitrile at 320 mg/l. Acute-to-chronic ratios ranged from 2 to 15.8. A final chronic value of 413.9 mg/l was obtained and a final plant value was 1342 mg/I. A criterion maximum concentration (1145 mg/l) and a criterion continuous concentration (413.9 mg/l) were derived.     

Morphological and cytological responses of ammonia (foraminifera) to copper contamination: implication for the use of foraminifera as bioindicators of pollution

The effect of graded concentrations of copper was analyzed at morphological and cytological levels on two species of Ammonia (foraminifera) often found in polluted areas. The two species were sensitive to low concentration, but survived high concentration (threshold value<10 microg l(-1), lethal value>200 microg l(-1)), which gives them a high potential value as bioindicators. Increasing concentrations lead to (1) increasing delay before production of new chambers, explaining dwarfism in polluted areas; (2) increasing delay before reproduction and decreasing number of juveniles, explaining low density; and (3) increasing proportion of deformed tests. Cytological modifications occurred only in deformed specimens (thickening of the organic lining, proliferation of fibrillar and of large lipidic vesicles, increased number of residual bodies). They may be responsible for anomalies in biomineralization processes. The detection of sulfur in deformed specimens suggests that foraminifers may have a detoxification mechanism with production of a metallothionein-like protein.     

Acute effects of copper and mercury on the estuarine fish Pomatoschistus microps: Linking biomarkers to behaviour

The main objective of the present study was to investigate possible links between biomarkers and swimming performance in the estuarine fish Pomatoschistus microps acutely exposed to metals (copper and mercury). In independent bioassays, P. microps juveniles were individually exposed for 96 h to sub-lethal concentrations of copper or mercury. At the end of the assays, swimming performance of fish was measured using a device specially developed for epibenthic fish (SPEDE). Furthermore, the following biomarkers were measured: lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the activity of the enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutathione S-transferases (GST), 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). LC₅₀s of copper and mercury (dissolved throughout metal concentrations) at 96 h were 568 μg L⁻¹ and 62 μg L⁻¹, respectively. Significant and concentration-dependent effects of both metals on swimming resistance and covered distance against water flow were found at concentrations equal or higher than 50 μg L⁻¹ for copper and 3 μg L⁻¹ for mercury (dissolved throughout metal concentrations). These results indicate that SPEDE was efficacious to quantify behavioural alterations in the epibenthic fish P. microps at ecologically relevant concentrations. Significant alterations by both metals on biomarkers were found including: inhibition of AChE and EROD activities, induction of LDH, GST and anti-oxidant enzymes, and increased LPO levels, with LOEC values ranging from 25 to 200 μg L⁻¹ for copper and from 3 to 25 μg L⁻¹ for mercury (dissolved throughout metal concentrations). Furthermore, significant and positive correlations were found between some biomarkers (AChE and EROD) and behavioural parameters, while negative correlations were found for others (LPO, anti-oxidant enzymes and LDH) suggesting that disruption of cholinergic function through AChE inhibition, decreased detoxification capability due to EROD inhibition, additional energetic demands to face chemical stress, and oxidative stress and damage may contribute to decrease the swimming performance of fish. Since a reduced swimming capability of fish may reduce their ability to capture preys, avoid predators, and interfere with social and reproductive behaviour, the exposure of P. microps to copper and/or mercury concentrations similar to those tested here may decrease the fitness of wild populations of this species.     

Combined effects of copper and food on the midge Chironomus riparius in whole-sediment bioassays

Effects observed in whole-sediment bioassays must be seen as the joint effect of all sediment characteristics. In whole-sediment bioassays, however, adverse effects on test organisms are usually attributed to the presence of contaminants and effects of food are often ignored. The aim of this study was to analyze the response of the midge Chironomus riparius to sediment spiked with different combinations of food and copper. The responses of C. riparius to these spiked sediments were assessed in 10-day whole-sediment bioassays. Decreases in survival, dry weight, and length of C. riparius were observed with increasing copper concentrations. However, an increase in the amount of food resulted in an increase of larval dry weight and length until copper concentrations reached a critical threshold of 200 mg/kg. In addition, an increase in the amount of food resulted in a decrease of accumulated copper in the larvae. The present study demonstrated that the combination of copper and food in the sediment determines the performance of C. riparius in whole-sediment bioassays. The dependency of C. riparius on high feeding levels, which mask toxic effects, questions its suitability as a test organism for whole-sediment bioassays. Because benthic communities in polluted ecosystems are often exposed to varying levels of both food and toxicants it is concluded that the trophic state of the ecosystem may alter the ecological risk of sediment-bound toxicants to opportunistic benthic invertebrates such as C. riparius.     

The acute toxicity of agricultural surfactants to the tadpoles of four Australian and two exotic frogs

Nonionic surfactants are frequently incorporated into pesticide formulations, and are therefore a group of chemicals to which amphibians may be exposed in agricultural or urban landscapes. However, little is known about the effects of surfactant exposure in amphibians. Feeding stage tadpoles of Bufo marinus, Xenopus laevis and four species of Australian frogs (Crinia insignifera, Heleioporus eyrei, Limnodynastes dorsalis and Litoria moorei) were exposed to nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) and alcohol alkoxylate in static-renewal acute toxicity tests. All species exhibited nonspecific narcosis following exposure to both these surfactants. The 48-h EC50 values for NPE ranged between 1.1 mg/l (mild narcosis) and 12.1 mg/l (full narcosis). The 48-h EC50 values for alcohol alkoxylate ranged between 5.3 mg/l (mild narcosis) and 25.4 mg/l (full narcosis). Replicate acute toxicity tests with B. narinus exposed to NPE at 30 degrees C over 96 h indicated that the narcotic effects were not particularly time dependant. The mean 24, 48, 72, and 96-h EC50 (mild narcosis) values were 3.6, 3.7, 3.5 and 3.5 mg/l, respectively. The mean 24, 48, 72 and 96-h EC50 (full narcosis) were 4.0, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.0, respectively. Acute toxicity tests with B. marinus exposed to NPE at 30 degrees C under conditions of low dissolved oxygen (0.8-2.3 mg/l) produced a two to threefold increase in toxicity.     

Effects of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc on growth, reproduction and survival of the earthworm Eisenia fetida (Savigny): Assessing the environmental impact of point-source metal contamination in terrestrial ecosystems

The earthworm Eisenia fetida (Annelida: Oligochaeta) was exposed to a geometric series of concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in artificial soil using the OECD recommended protocol. Mortality, growth and cocoon production were measured over 56 days to determine LC50 and EC50 values. No observed effect concentrations (NOECs) were also estimated. Furthermore, the percentage of viable cocoons and number of juveniles emerging per cocoon was recorded. Cocoon production was more sensitive than mortality for all the metals, particularly cadmium and copper for which NOEC reproduction values were an order of magnitude lower than those for NOEC mortality. However, there was no significant effect of metals on the viability of cocoons. The weights of earthworms declined in all treatments (including the controls) during the experiment. This was probably due to the lack of suitable food in the OECD standard soil medium used. It was concluded that future experiments should include animal manure in the test medium. The LC50, EC50 and NOEC values determined in this study were compared with concentrations of metals in soils in the vicinity of a smelting works at Avonmouth, southwest England. The 14-day LC50 for zinc in Eisenia fetida was exceeded in soils covering an area of 75 km2 around the works, compared to 4.2 km2 for copper and 4.7 km2 for lead. Soil values for cadmium did not exceed the LC50 value anywhere in the region. Similar estimates of relative effects on reproduction confirmed that zinc is most likely to be responsible for the absence of earthworms from sites close to the Avonmouth works. However, the OECD standard test overestimated the potential effects of metals on populations, since earthworms can be found as close as 1 km from the smelting works. The discrepancy between test and field observations was probably due to the greater availability of the metals in the artificial soil.     

Influence of sediment on the fate and toxicity of a polyethoxylated tallowamine surfactant system (MON 0818) in aquatic microcosms

The fate and toxicity of a polyethoxylated tallowamine (POEA) surfactant system, MON 0818, was evaluated in water-sediment microcosms during a 4-d laboratory study. A surfactant solution of 8 mg l(-1) nominal concentration was added to each of nine 72-l aquaria with or without a 3-cm layer of one of two natural sediments (total organic carbon (TOC) 1.5% or 3.0%). Control well water was added to each of nine additional 72-l aquaria with or without sediment. Water samples were collected from the microcosms after 2, 6, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of aging to conduct 48-h toxicity tests with Daphnia magna and to determine surfactant concentrations. Elevated mortality of D. magna (43-83%) was observed in overlying water sampled from water-only microcosms throughout the 96-h aging period, whereas elevated mortality (23-97%) was only observed in overlying water sampled from water-sediment microcosms during the first 24h of aging. Measured concentrations of MON 0818 in water-only microcosms remained relatively constant (4-6 mg l(-1)) during the 96-h period, whereas the concentrations in overlying water from microcosms containing either of the two types of sediment dissipated rapidly, with half-lives of 13 h in the 3.0% TOC sediment and 18 h in the 1.5% TOC sediment. Both toxicity and the concentration of MON 0818 in overlying water decreased more rapidly in microcosms containing sediment with the higher percent TOC and clay and with a higher microbial biomass. Mortality of D. magna was significantly correlated with surfactant concentrations in the overlying water. These results indicate that the toxicity of the POEA surfactant in water rapidly declines in the presence of sediment due to a reduction in the surfactant concentration in the overlying water above the sediment.     

Tolerance and acclimation to zinc of Ceriodaphnia dubia

Zinc is an essential metal for all living organisms. However, so far, little or no attention has been paid to the consequences of zinc deficiency or acclimation to this metal during culturing and testing on toxicity test results. In this study, the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia was acclimated for 10 generations to four zinc concentrations ranging from 0 to 100 microg Zn/l and changes in zinc tolerance were monitored using acute (48 h) and chronic (9 days) assays. C. dubia deprived of zinc and acclimated to 13 microg Zn/l had a lower fitness in comparison with organisms acclimated to 50 and 100 microg Zn/l. In the two lowest versus the two highest acclimation concentrations the 9dEC50 values (on immobility) were 358-387 microg Zn/l versus 486-489 microg Zn/l; the mean number of young per female was 11-18 versus 25-32; and the time to first brood was 4.7-5.0 days versus 4.0-4.3 days. Moreover, the coefficient of variation of all parameters tested was highest in the two lowest acclimation concentrations. The results indicate that culturing test animals in media lacking trace metals such as zinc could give rise to animals that are unnaturally sensitive to those same metals daring toxicity tests.     

Arsenate and perchlorate toxicity, growth effects, and thyroid histopathology in hypothyroid zebrafish Danio rerio

Exposure to perchlorate or other thyrotoxic compounds can cause hypothyroidism in most vertebrates, and this may affect levels of endogenous antioxidants and cause oxidative stress. Arsenic also induces oxidative stress in animals by modifying the antioxidant capacity and may alter the thyroid homeostasis. Therefore, hypothyroidism may affect the toxicity of arsenate. In order to test this hypothesis, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were made hypothyroid by exposure to perchlorate, and toxicity of arsenate in hypothyroid and euthyroid fish was compared. The endpoints were LC50 and thyroid histopathology. Additionally, the recovery of thyroid histopathological indices after cessation of perchlorate exposure was determined. The current study showed that 96 h LC50 of perchlorate anion and arsenate ion to juveniles fish (37 day post-fertilization) were 2532 and 56 mg l(-1), respectively. In addition, hypothyroid fish were more sensitive to arsenate, with a 96 h LC50 of 43 mg l(-1). Growth rates were also significantly retarded by perchlorate exposure. After cessation of perchlorate exposure, there was recovery of thyroid histopathology in terms of epithelial cell height, but not colloid area or growth rate. In conclusion, perchlorate enhances arsenate toxicity to juvenile zebrafish, and the rate of thyroid recovery after cessation of perchlorate exposure depends on the endpoints examined.     

The toxicity of copper,cadmium and zinc to four different Hydra (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa)

An acute toxicity study of three metals to Hydra species carried out using two different assessment methods, (i) determination of the LC50 and (ii) measurement of progressive morphological changes, demonstrated that relative toxicity decreased from copper to cadmium with zinc the least toxic for all species. The latter method revealed more details of the effect on Hydra in terms of physical damage to the polyp but both methods indicated that H. viridissima was more sensitive to copper and cadmium than H. vulgaris¹ (Zurich strain, male clone), H. vulgaris² (a dioecious strain reproducing sexually and asexually) and H. oligactis (dioecious, reproducing sexually and asexually). The responses to zinc were similar for all Hydra. The possible role of metabolic interactions between H. viridissima and its symbiotic green algae in contributing to the greater sensitivity of this polyp is discussed.     

Temporal and geographical genetic variation in the amphipod Melita plumulosa (Crustacea: Melitidae): Link of a localized change in haplotype frequencies to a chemical spill

Anthropogenic effects such as contamination affect the genetic structure of populations. This study examined the temporal and geographical patterns of genetic diversity among populations of the benthic crustacean amphipod Melita plumulosa in the Parramatta River (Sydney, Australia), following an industrial chemical spill. The spill of an acrylate/methacrylate co-polymer in naphtha solvent occurred in July 2006. M. plumulosa were sampled temporally between December 2006 and November 2009 and spatially in November 2009. Genetic variation was examined at the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I locus. Notably, nucleotide diversity was low and Tajima’s D was significantly negative amongst amphipods collected immediately downstream from the spill for 10 months. We hypothesize that the spill had a significant localized effect on the genetic diversity of M. plumulosa. Alternate explanations include an alternate and unknown toxicant or a localized sampling bias. Future proposed studies will dissect these alternatives.     

Differential survival and reproductive performance across three mitochondrial lineages in Melita plumulosa following naphthalene exposure

Populations subject to anthropogenic contaminants often display altered patterns of genetic variation, including decreased genetic variability. Selective pressures of contaminant exposure are also reflected in differential tolerance between genotypes. An industrial chemical spill in a major eastern Australian waterway in July 2006 resulted in altered patterns of genetic variability in a nearby population of the amphipod, Melita plumulosa for up to one year post-spill, despite the site being declared clean after 48 h. Here, we investigate the toxicant response of three mitochondrial lines naturally occurring at the impacted site by comparing survivorship and life-history trait variables following naphthalene exposure. Overall, M. plumulosa demonstrated differential survivorship between mitochondrial lines under exposure to high concentrations of naphthalene. In addition, we identified differential fecundity and frequencies of gravidity in female amphipods between the mitochondrial haplotypes examined. These findings suggest that the patterns of genetic variability previously identified may be linked with differential tolerance and/or reproductive performance between mitochondrial lineages.     

Comparative study on the susceptibility of freshwater species to copper-based pesticides

Copper compounds have been intentionally introduced into water bodies as aquatic plant herbicides, algicides and molluscicides. Copper-based fertilizers and fungicides have been widely used in agriculture as well. Despite the fact that copper is an essential element for all biota, elevated concentrations of this metal have been shown to affect a variety of aquatic organisms. Nonetheless, comparative studies on the susceptibility of different freshwater species to copper compounds have seldom been performed. This study was conducted to compare toxicity of copper-based pesticides (copper oxychloride, cuprous oxide and copper sulfate) to different freshwater target (Raphidocelis subcapitata, a planktonic alga and Biomphalaria glabrata, a snail) and non-target (Daphnia similis, a planktonic crustacean and Danio rerio, a fish) organisms. Test water parameters were as follows: pH = 7.4 +/- 0.1; hardness 44 +/- 1 mg/l as CaCO3; DO 8-9 mg/l at the beginning and > 4 mg/l at the end; temperature, fish and snails 25 +/- 1 degrees C, Daphnia 20 +/- 2 degrees C, algae 24 +/- 1 degrees C. D. similis (immobilization), 48-h EC50s (95% CLs) ranging from 0.013 (0.011-0.016) to 0.043 (0.033-0.057) mg Cu/l, and R. subcapitata (growth inhibition), 96-h IC50s from 0.071 (0.045-0.099) to 0.137 (0.090-0.174) mg Cu/l, were the most susceptible species. B. glabrata (lethality), 48-h LC50s from 0.179 (0.102-0.270) to 0.854 (0.553-1.457) mg Cu/l, and D. rerio (lethality), 48-h LC50s 0.063 (0.045-0.089), 0.192 (0.133-0.272) and 0.714 (0.494-1.016) mg Cu/l, were less susceptible than Daphnia to copper-based pesticides. Findings from the present study therefore suggest that increased levels of copper in water bodies is likely to adversely affect a variety of aquatic species.     

Measurement of movement patterns of Caenorhabditis elegans (Nematoda) with the Multispecies Freshwater Biomonitor (MFB)--a potential new method to study a behavioral toxicity parameter of nematodes in sediments

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans receives increasing attention in sediment ecotoxicology and new toxicity tests with sensitive test parameters are under development. In this study, the motility of C. elegans could be measured for the first time online in sediment, using the Multispecies Freshwater Biomonitor. Whereas single nematodes could not be recorded, groups of 10 nematodes gave typical locomotive signals in different media (water, agar, sediment) with comparable precision and accuracy. The results of this study encourage to develop a new rapid online whole-sediment toxicity test with behaviour as sensitive test parameter.     

Equilibrium partitioning theory to predict the sediment toxicity of the anionic surfactant C(12)-2-LAS to Corophium volutator

The study of the effect of the sorption of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) on the bioavailability to marine benthic organisms is essential to refine the environmental risk assessment of these compounds. According to the equilibrium partitioning theory (EqP), the effect concentration in water-only exposure will be similar to the effect concentration in the sediment pore water. In this work, sorption and desorption experiments with two marine sediments were carried out using the compound C₁₂-2-LAS. The effect of the sediment sorption on the toxicity of benthic organisms was studied in water-only and in sediment bioassays with the marine mud shrimp Corophium volutator. In addition, three common spiking methods were tested for its application in the toxicity tests, as well as the stability of the surfactant during the water-only and sediment-water test duration. LC50 values obtained from water-only exposure showed a good correspondence with the pore water concentrations calculated from the sorption and desorption isotherms in the spiked sediments.     

Deriving freshwater quality criteria for 2,4-dichlorophenol for protection of aquatic life in China

Freshwater quality criteria for 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) were developed with particular reference to the aquatic biota in China, and based on USEPA's guidelines. Acute toxicity tests were performed on nine different domestic species indigenous to China to determine 48-h LC50 and 96-h LC50 values for 2,4-DCP. In addition, 21 day survival-reproduction tests with Daphnia magna, 30-day embryo-larval tests with Carassius auratus, 60 day fry-juvenile test with Ctenopharyngodon idellus, 30 d early life stage tests with Bufo bufo gargarizans and 96 h growth inhibition tests with Scenedesms obliqaus were conducted, to estimate lower chronic limit (LCL) and upper chronic limit (UCL) values. The final acute value (FAV) was 2.49 mg/l 2,4-DCP. Acute-to-chronic ratios (ACR) ranged from 3.74 to 22.5. The final chronic value (FCV) and the final plant value (FPV) of 2.4-DCP were 0.212 mg/l and 7.07 mg/l respectively. Based on FAV, FCV, and FPV, a criteria maximum concentration (CMC) of 1.25 mg/l and a criterion continuous concentration (CCC) of 0.212 mg/l were derived. The results of this study provide useful data for deriving national or local water quality criteria for 2,4-DCP based on aquatic biota in China.