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Effect-Based Screening Methods for Water Quality Characterization Will Augment Conventional Analyte-by-Analyte Chemical Methods in Research As Well As Regulatory Monitoring
Citation:
Wilson, V., A. Biales, M. Focazio, D. Griffin, K. Loftin, AND E. Doyle. Effect-Based Screening Methods for Water Quality Characterization Will Augment Conventional Analyte-by-Analyte Chemical Methods in Research As Well As Regulatory Monitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 49(24):13906–13907, (2014).
Impact/Purpose:
The article describes the potential of bioassays when applied to criteria development, water quality monitoring and impact assessment
Description:
Conventional approaches to water quality characterization can provide data on individual chemical components of each water sample. This analyte-by-analyte approach currently serves many useful research and compliance monitoring needs. However these approaches, which require a priori targeting of a specific analyte or analytes, have fundamental and substantial limitations in accounting for the “universe” of millions of chemicals (see Feature Article in this issue). Over the past decade, the National Research Council and the EPA’s Science Advisory board have highlighted the need for the EPA to develop multi-chemical approaches to evaluaterisk from chemical exposure. They have also recommended that the EPA develop risk assessments for chemicals grouped by adverse outcome rather than chemical structure for chemical exposure risk evaluation and assessment. Recently developed techniques that provide indications of the potential for a biological effect, chemical mass or structure, and other approaches that do not rely on analyte-by-analyte analyses have risen to the forefront of research on water quality characterization (1,2). More comprehensive assays capable of screening samples for multiple biological pathways would provide a powerful tool for evaluating water quality without the need to analyze for the presence of thousands of chemical contaminants potentially present.Screening approaches drawing on rapidly evolving technologies, in association with modeling, will likely lead to new paradigms in assessing chemicals, mixtures of chemicals, and/or the potential for biological effect of water samples. The obvious benefit lies in the ability of these screening techniques to provide information about water chemistry and the potential for biological effect not obtainable with conventional approaches, some at a rapid rate with high sample throughput. However, interpretation of these results in terms of biological effects of contaminants and how this information may be used in regulatory or policy activities is still being developed. Importantly, conventional analyte-by-analyte approaches will continue to be essential components of water-quality investigations due to their high degree of specificity in targeting specific contaminants or contaminant groups. This level of specificity is required to provide data needed to manage and mitigate contaminant sources and understand contaminant behavior in the environment.
