ASTM E1848-96(2008)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: E1848 − 96(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Guide for
Selecting and Using Ecological Endpoints for Contaminated
Sites
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1848; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope course of action or provide detailed guidelines to be followed
at all sites. See 2.2.2 of Regulations Governing ASTM Techni-
1.1 This guide covers an approach to identification,
cal Committees.
selection,anduseofecologicalendpoints(bothassessmentand
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
measurementendpoints) (1-8) thataresusceptibletothedirect
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
and indirect effects of both chemical and non-chemical stress-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
orsoragentsassociatedwithwastesandcontaminatedmediaat
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
specific sites under current and future land uses. It does not
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
address assessment and measurement endpoints for non-site
specificstudies(forexample,chemical-specificorregionalrisk
2. Referenced Documents
assessments) or measurements in abiotic media (soil, water, or
4,5
2.1 ASTM Standards:
air).
E943 Terminology Relating to Biological Effects and Envi-
1.2 This guide addresses only the identification, selection,
ronmental Fate
and use of assessment and measurement endpoints, not the full
E1689 Guide for Developing Conceptual Site Models for
range of activities that occur in an ecological assessment or
Contaminated Sites
ecological risk assessment at a contaminated site (1, 3-8).
These activities are addressed in other ASTM guides and
3. Terminology
references provided at the end of this guide.
3.1 Definitions—Definitions are provided specifically for
1.3 This guide is intended to identify assessment and
use with this guide. Many of the terms listed in this section
measurement endpoints to be used for screening, preliminary,
have been modified from those defined in other publications
focused, detailed, and quantitative ecological risk assessments
(1-8).
conductedinalinearoriterativefashion (3, 8).Thisisapartial,
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
incomplete listing of possible levels of assessment. In a tiered
3.2.1 assessment endpoint—an explicit expression of an
ecological risk assessment, it may be necessary to redefine
environmental value (ecological, not monetary) to be protected
ecological endpoints when planning to collect more data or
(3).
when additional site data are obtained and evaluated.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—An assessment endpoint is an ecologi-
1.4 This guide is intended to be used by trained biologists,
cal condition of potential concern or effect experienced by an
ecologists, and ecotoxicologists familiar with risk assessment,
ecological receptor with ecological and societal value that
and ecological and ecotoxicological concepts.
drives risk-based decision-making at a contaminated site (for
example, a specific reduction in the abundance of a fish
1.5 This guide (including Appendix X1) consists of a series
population or the disruption of the structure of benthic com-
of options or instructions and does not recommend a specific
munity). It is a qualitative, quantitative, or quantifiable
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE50onEnvironmental
Assessment, Risk Management and CorrectiveAction and is the direct responsibil- Available from ASTM Headquarters.
ity of Subcommittee E50.05 on Environmental Risk Management. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2008. Published April 2008. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E1848 – 96(2003). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/E1848-96R08. the ASTM website.
2 5
The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to a list of references at the A bibliography of related references and documents is provided in Appendix
end of the text.
X2.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1848 − 96 (2008)
expression, measure, metric, or index involving an ecological sured value) is the ecological value to be protected. See related
receptor at risk. Under some circumstances, assessment end- term measure of effect (9).
points may be measured and used directly for assessment
3.2.11 non-chemical stressor—a biological agent, physical
purposes. Assessment endpoints are the ultimate focus in risk
disturbance, condition, or non-chemical characteristic of a
characterization and link measurement endpoints (see below)
waste material, substrate, or source associated with a contami-
to policy goals and the risk management process (1-3, 5, 6, 8).
nated site and corrective actions that is known or suspected to
3.2.2 chemical stressor—a chemical, chemical mixture or
interfere with the normal functioning of an ecological receptor
radionuclide present in an environmental medium that is
(3).
known or suspected to induce an adverse biological, toxico-
3.2.11.1 Discussion—Non-native species, biologically engi-
logical or ecological response in an exposed ecological recep-
neered organisms, and pathogens are examples of non-
tor (3-8).
chemical biological stressors. Radiation other than that asso-
3.2.2.1 Discussion—Achemical stressor is often referred to
ciated with specific radionuclides, erosion, dredging,
as an “ecological contaminant of concern.”
impounding, grading, vegetation removal and similar
3.2.3 exposure area—a geographic location in which one or
alterations/disruptions, altered particle size distribution, sub-
more site-related stressors are present and ecological receptors
strate instability, temperature and pH extremes, dissolved
are potentially exposed.
oxygen content, water-holding capacity, organic content,
physical effects of oil, and similar site characteristics unrelated
3.2.4 direct effect—an adverse impact on an exposed eco-
logical receptor (for example, increased mortality or reduced to specific chemicals are non-chemical stressors. No specific
growth) as a result of the action of a site-related stressor. term is proposed for non-chemical stressors that corresponds
to'' ecological contaminant of concern” for chemical stressors.
3.2.5 ecological endpoint—a general term to refer to an
assessment or measurement endpoint in an ecological risk
4. Significance and Use
assessment (2,3).
3.2.5.1 Discussion—Measurement of chemical concentra-
4.1 This guide assumes that a decision has been made that
tions in soil, water, or air are not ecological endpoints; these
an ecological risk assessment is required for a contaminated
measurements indicate exposure levels that may be used to
site. In some cases, this decision could be made before any site
evaluate the potential for an ecological response.
data are collected.
3.2.6 ecological receptor—ecosystems, habitats,
4.2 The selection of assessment endpoints (defined as eco-
communities, populations, and individual organisms (except
logical values to be protected) and measurement endpoints
humans) that can be exposed directly or indirectly to site
(ecological characteristics related to the assessment endpoints)
stressors (3,4,7,8).
is a critical step in conducting an ecological risk assessment.
3.2.7 endpoint—an ecological characteristic (measure,
Endpoint selection identifies those effects which are ecologi-
metric, or index) that may be adversely affected by a site-
cally significant and not merely those that are adverse, thus
related stressor (4).
providing a more rational and defensible basis for making risk
and remedial decisions.
3.2.8 indirect effect—an adverse impact on an ecological
receptor (for example, predator) resulting from the direct effect
4.3 This guide provides an approach for identifying, select-
of a stressor on another ecological receptor (for example,
ing and using assessment and measurement endpoints in an
reduction in food supply or habitat).
ecological risk assessment for a contaminated site. This guide
3.2.9 indicator species—an organism that is typically com-
has been developed because there is no universal, simple
mon and represents a broad class of species present at the site
measure of ecological health analogous to measures used in
or in surrounding areas, or both.
human health risk assessment. Assessment and measurement
3.2.9.1 Discussion—There is sufficient information on its
endpoints have to be identified and selected from a variety of
life history and response to contaminants to construct a model
individual circumstances on a stressor-, ecosystem- and scale-
to predict (with uncertainty) the potential for effects.
specific basis. It is important to recognize that a diverse set of
3.2.10 measurement endpoint—a measurable response to a ecological endpoints could be required for a specific site.
stressor (measure, metric, or index) that is quantifiably related
4.4 This guide is intended to be used primarily by a
to the valued characteristic chosen as the assessment endpoint
biologist, ecologist, ecotoxicologist, or a team of environmen-
(3).
tal scientists during problem formulation and work plan
3.2.10.1 Discussion—Examples of a measurement endpoint
development prior to initiating data collection activities at a
are the reduction in the growth, survival, or reproduction of
contaminated site (3-8, 10).
minnows in a standard laboratory toxicity test.These examples
ofmeasurementendpointswouldbeappropriateforassessment 4.5 Ecological risk assessment is usually an iterative pro-
endpoints defined as specific predefined reductions in the cess.Inmanycircumstancesitproceedsasaseriesoftiers,that
growth, survival, or reduction in a forage fish population in a is, desktop/screening, preliminary, and detailed/focused
stream, river, or lake at the site (2-4, 8). phases. This guide can be used to refine or modify assessment
and measurement endpoints developed in earlier phases of the
3.2.10.2 Discussion—A measurement endpoint may serve
as an assessment endpoint if the measurement endpoint (mea- process.
E1848 − 96 (2008)
4.6 This guide can be used whenever assessment and 5.4 The following characterize some of the uses or roles of
measurement endpoints must be identified and selected follow- assessment and measurement endpoints in an ecological risk
ing an initial or preliminary problem formulation/planning assessment:
phase: 5.4.1 Incorporate resources potentially at risk or that require
protection into the risk assessment process;
4.6.1 Analysis phase (exposure assessment, hazard/effects
5.4.2 Complete development of a conceptual site model and
assessment, stress/dose-response assessment;
problem formulation;
4.6.2 Risk characterization phase; or
5.4.3 Design field and laboratory studies, toxicity tests, and
4.6.3 Remediation phase and possible subsequent ecologi-
other data collection requirements;
cal monitoring.
5.4.4 Focus site remediation/corrective actions;
4.7 This guide is intended to be used in the evaluation of
5.4.5 Evaluate potential efficacy of remedial alternatives/
baselineconditions(currentandfuture)andintheevaluationof
technologies; and
conditions resulting from remedial actions or corrective mea-
5.4.6 Evaluate recovery of impacted populations,
sures.
communities, and ecosystems.
5. General Considerations
6. Desirable Characteristics of Assessment and
Measurement Endpoints
5.1 Ecological risk assessment is a process of evaluating
risks to individuals (in the case of threatened or endangered 6.1 Desirable characteristics of assessment endpoints
species or those afforded special protection), populations, include, but are not limited to, the following (2,3):
communities and ecosystems exposed to chemical and non- 6.1.1 Relevant to decision-making, local public concerns,
chemical stressors. Stressors can act individually or together and ecological considerations (societal or ecological relevance,
over multiple ecosystem types and diverse spatial scales. or both);
Conditions of the site and risk assessment that should be 6.1.2 Relevanttothesiteorsurroundingarea,orboth,under
considered in identifying and selecting assessment and mea- current or future land uses, or both (current and future
surement endpoints include (2,3): endpoints may be different);
6.1.3 Potentially susceptible to adverse effects from expo-
5.1.1 Stressor Characteristics—Types, properties, intensity,
sure to one or more site contaminants or stressors;
interactions, and spatial and temporal patterns;
6.1.4 Consistent with the spatial and temporal scale of the
5.1.2 Ecosystem Types—Aquatic, terrestrial, and wetlands
action of stressors present at the site;
and their subcategories (for example, marine);
6.1.5 Address ecological receptors that are expected to
5.1.3 Spatial Scale—The exposure area over which the
receive higher exposure to site contaminants or stressors
exposure to the stressor occurs and direct and indirect ecologi-
relative to other ecological receptors;
cal effects are potentially produced;
6.1.6 Amenable to hypothesis formulation, evaluation, and
5.1.4 Temporal Scale—The expected duration of exposure
prediction; and
(acute to chronic) to the stressor, direct and indirect ecological
6.1.7 Value to be protected is clearly defined.
effects, and recovery time following removal of the stressor;
6.2 Desirable characteristics of measurement endpoints
5.1.5 Ecological Organization—The level of biological or-
include, but are not limited to (2,3):
ganization (individual, population, community, or ecosystem)
6.2.1 Correlated with or can be used to predict or infer
at which risk to an ecological receptor is to be assessed; and
changes in an assessment endpoint;
5.1.6 Functionality/Values—Site-specific factors contribut-
6.2.2 Relevant to the site and/or surrounding area under
ing to the importance of local ecological receptors.
current or future land uses, or both;
5.2 Assessment and measurement endpoints are selected for
6.2.3 Consistent with the spatial and temporal scale of the
specific ecosystem and stressor combinations associated with a
action of stressors present at the site;
site. Assessment and measurement endpoints may address
6.2.4 Capable of detecting an adverse effect of concern in
multiple ecosystem and habitat types, spatial and temporal
the presence
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