Use of Biotoxicity Tests for Estimating Impact of Stormwaters on Aquatic Life

Abstract

A test protocol was evaluated for estimating the acute toxicity of urban stormwater runoff to aquatic life. Potential deleterious effects of storm flows on the aquatic community of small artificial impoundments were examined by application of short-term bioassays. Definitive, static renewal, acute toxicity tests were performed using the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas, and the crustacean, Daphnia magna. The feasibility study indicated that short-term bioassays may provide an alternative to individual chemical constituent measurements and comparisons to numerical water quality criteria for protection of aquatic life. Biotoxicity tests may identify synergistic interactions to chemicals which individually meet specific water quality criteria but collectively lead to toxicity.