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PROBABILISTIC RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE EFFECTS OF SOLAR ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION ON AMPHIBIANS
Citation:
Ankley, G T., S A. Diamond, J E. Tietge, AND G. S. Peterson. PROBABILISTIC RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE EFFECTS OF SOLAR ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION ON AMPHIBIANS. Presented at SETAC Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD, November 11-15, 2001.
Description:
Several studies have demonstrated that exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause elevated mortality and an increased prevalence of eye and limb malformations in developing amphibian larvae. From these observations scientists have hypothesized that recent increases in exposure to UV radiation may be contributing to adverse effects currently observed in amphibian populations. It has been difficult, however, to assess the relevance of this hypothesis in terms of relative risk because of: (1) inadequate dose-response data associating UV exposure with effects, and (2) lack of UV exposure information specific to habitats utilized by developing amphibians. Over the past four years, we have developed a robust data set of measured dose-response relationships for mortality and malformations in three Ranid species (Northern leopard frog, green frog, mink frog) exposed to solar UV radiation during early development. We also have collected seasonal UV radiation and water quality data from sites in 25 northern Minnesota and Wisconsin wetlands, and used this information to develop a predictive exposure model suitable for amphibian habitat. This presentation will describe these dose-response and exposure studies, and present the resultant data in the context of a generalized probabilistic risk assessment for effects of UV radiation on amphibians. This abstract does not necessarily reflect USEPA policy.