Introduction

Aquatic toxicology is the study of the effects of manufactured chemicals and other anthropogenic and natural materials and activities on aquatic organisms at various levels of organization, from subcellular through individual organisms to communities and ecosystems. It is also defined as the study of the effects of a chemical substance to aquatic species which is usually determined on organisms representing the three trophic levels, i.e. vertebrates like fish, invertebrates such as Daphnia and algae.

Aquatic toxicology is a multidisciplinary field which integrates toxicology, aquatic ecology and aquatic chemistry. Chemicals included in the category of aquatic toxicity represent a substantial damage to living organisms and human health through aquatic exposure. Effects include among others, damage to the reproductive, immune, endocrine and/or nervous systems, cancer and even death. The release of any of these substances into waterways must be avoided. In case of accidental spillage cleaning must be carried out using absorbent materials instead of rinsing or pouring jets of water.

Lab tests

This field of study includes freshwater, marine water and sediment environments. Common tests include standardized acute and chronic toxicity tests lasting 24-96 hours (acute test) to 7 days or more (chronic tests). These tests measure endpoints such as survival, growth, reproduction, that are measured at each concentration in a gradient, along with a control test. Typical using selected organisms with ecologically relevant sensitivity to toxicants and a well-established literature background. These organisms can be easily acquired or cultured in lab and are easy to handle. Acute aquatic toxicity data and chronic aquatic toxicity data are essential for determining the environmental hazard classification of a chemical substance under GHS. Dangerous goods regulations also require this data to determine if a material is a marine pollutant or not.

Under REACH, EC50/LC50/NOECs obtained via aquatic toxicity studies will be divided by various assessment factors (according to the table below) to calculate Predicted No Effect concentrations (PNEC) for the aquatic environment. The Predicted No Effect Concentration or PNEC is the concentration of a substance in any environment below which adverse effects will most likely not occur during long term or short term exposure. PNECs will then be compared to predicted environmental concentration (PEC) to determine if risk is controlled or not.

Aquatic toxins

To identify aquatic toxic substances, Former Dangerous Substances Directive, known as DSD and the new regulation commonly known as CLP set pictograms and the following risk phrases ® and hazard statements (H): R50 Very toxic to aquatic organisms, R51 Toxic to aquatic organisms, R53 may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment, H400 Very toxic to aquatic life, H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects, H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. Aquatic toxicology tests (assays): toxicity tests are used to provide qualitative and quantitative data on adverse (deleterious) effects on aquatic organisms from a toxicant. Toxicity tests can be used to assess the potential for damage to an aquatic environment and provide a database that can be used to assess the risk associated with in a situation for a specific toxicant. Aquatic toxicology tests can be performed in the field or in the laboratory.

The Journal of “Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Research” is using Editorial Tracking System to maintain quality and transparency to the author in the peer-review process. Review processing will be performed by the editorial board members of the Journal of “Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Research” or by Reviewers (outside experts in the field). Two independent reviewer’s approval (Minimum reviewer’s approval) followed by editor approval is obligatory for acceptance of any manuscript excluding an editorial.

Regards

Mary Wilson

Editorial office

Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Research

E-mail: pharmatoxicol@eclinicalsci.com