A Q U I R E AQUatic toxicity Information REtrieval Database A Technical Support Document Prepared by Anne Pilli Computer Sciences Corporation Barbara Riedel Sheedy Delores Grunwald AScI Corporation Revised: July 1992 for the Environmental Research Laboratory U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Duluth, MN 55804 ------- TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ii INTRODUCTION 1 Scope 1 Input 1 ACCESS 4 LITERATURE REVIEW 5 Data Sources 5 Test Chemical 6 Test Organism 6 Test Media 6 Test Location 6 Exposure Duration 7 Exposure Type 7 Water Chemistry 7 Chemical Analysis Method 7 Control Tests 7 Effect Concentration 7 Effects 8 Review Code 8 REFERENCES 10 APPENDIX A A-l APPENDIX B B-l APPENDIX C C-l ------- ABSTRACT The AQUIRE fAOUatic toxicity Information REtrieval) database was established in 1981 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Environmental Research Laboratory-Duluth (ERL-D). AQUIRE is updated and maintained at the ERL-D. The purpose of AQUIRE is to provide quick access to a comprehensive, systematic, computerized compilation of aquatic toxic effects data. The Technical Support Document has been prepared to provide an introduction and guide to the content and structure of the AQUIRE database. Scientific papers published both nationally and internationally on the toxic effects of chemicals to aquatic organisms and plants are collected and reviewed for AQUIRE. Independently compiled laboratory data files that include AQUIRE parameters and meet the quality assurance criteria are also included. Toxicity test results and related testing information for any individual chemical from laboratory and field aquatic toxicity tests are extracted and added to AQUIRE. Acute, sublethal and bioconcentration effects are recorded for freshwater and marine organisms. As of July 1992, AQUIRE consists of over 98,300 individual test results on computer file. These tests contain information for 5,500 chemicals and 2,300 organisms, extracted from over 6,300 publications. In addition, the ERL-D data file, prepared by the University of Wisconsin-Superior is now included in AQUIRE. This data file consists of acute toxicity test results for the effects of 525 organic chemicals to fathead minnow. All AQUIRE data entries have been subjected to established quality assurance procedures. For further information and inquiries regarding access to the AQUIRE database, contact: Scientific Outreach Program U.S. EPA Environmental Research Laboratory 6201 Congdon Blvd. Duluth, MN 55804 (218) 722-0075 ii ------- INTRODUCTION Scope The AQUIRE (AQUatic toxicity information REtrieval) database was established in 1981 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Environmental Research Laboratory-Duluth (ERL-D). AQUIRE is maintained and updated at the ERL-D. The purpose of AQUIRE is to provide quick access to a comprehensive, systematic, computerized compilation of aquatic toxic effects data. AQUIRE is a summary of available aquatic toxic effects data and is subsequently designed to be used as a reference tool. Researchers or managers using AQUIRE for analyses or summary projects should consult the original scientific paper to ensure an understanding of the context of the data retrieved from AQUIRE. AQUIRE is an extensive compilation of data extracted primarily from scientific papers published on aquatic toxic effects. AQUIRE also includes data from independently compiled laboratory data files. The scope of the scientific data included has been defined by the criteria of single chemical exposure and is limited to those organisms which are exclusively aquatic. Input Toxicity papers are acquired by literature searches, abstract journals, US EPA Water Quality Criteria document bibliographies, and from existing ERL-D toxicity reprint collections. The major portion of literature in AQUIRE is from 1972 to the present. Current publications are acquired and reviewed on a continuing basis. Reprints of all references included in the database are on file at ERL-D. Publications used in AQUIRE must contain unique data. The bibliographic file and the main database files contain quality assurance checks for duplicate publications. If data is published in a dissertation, symposium proceeding, internal report or a book, in addition to a peer-reviewed journal, only the journal publication is included in AQUIRE. If portions of the data are published in one source and the rest in a separate publication, both sources are reviewed with care so that each data point is included only once. Foreign publications are reviewed by AQUIRE staff if either an English abstract or a translated table of data are included. International cooperative efforts are underway with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (Borok Institute). Review of international literature will be provided by Member countries of the ------- agreements. Data reported in review papers are abstracted from the original publication. Data obtained from independently compiled data files must meet the AQUIRE data parameter and quality assurance guidelines. Transfer is by computer file with accompanying quality assurance procedures. The ERL-D data file on the acute toxicity of organic chemicals to fathead minnows (Center for Lake Superior Studies; University of Wisconsin-Superior; 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, and 1990) is currently included in the AQUIRE database. AQUIRE is catalogued by the toxicant tested using the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry number. If a CAS registry number is not available through standard sources, the toxicity data cannot be included in AQUIRE. Additional toxicants not included in AQUIRE are water chemistry effects, complex effluents and chemical mixtures. If a publication contains data for a single chemical, in addition to one of the above categories of toxicants, the paper is retained and only the single chemical data is used in AQUIRE. Test organisms are limited to those which are exclusively aquatic. Classes of organisms associated with the aquatic environment (e.g. amphibians, birds, mammals, reptiles, and rooted semi-aquatic plants), and the microscopic community (bacteria and virus) are omitted. The test organisms are categorized according to current taxonomy and stored in AQUIRE such that toxicity information can be retrieved at many taxonomic levels (e.g. class, order, family, genus, and species). The data elements selected in AQUIRE reflect standard parameters within a toxicity test. The data encoded is evaluated according to existing standard test methods such as those from the American Society for Testing and Materials (1989), Code of Federal Regulations (1987), and the American Public Health Association et al. (1989). Each test reviewed for AQUIRE is assigned a review code which indicates the amount of method documentation available in the scientific paper. There are various toxicity test methods which are not applicable to AQUIRE. Publications in which the exposure concentration or duration is not reported (field surveys, sediment toxicity, runoff or leachate toxicity), or in which the endpoints are only represented graphically, are not reviewed for AQUIRE. Exposures must either be aqueous, through the diet, or by injection. In vitro toxicity test results are not included. Quality assurance procedures begin with literature acquisition and cataloging, and continue through the chemical and species files, the literature review process, data entry and data retrieval. Ten percent of all processed data is reviewed by two AQUIRE staff members. Any subsequent corrections are also reviewed by two staff members. In addition to manual checks, ------- there are various computerized checks within the database structure. ------- ACCESS The AQUIRE database is located on the Digital VAX 11/785 at the ERL-D and at the EPA National Computer Center. The database can be accessed using an EPA network via the VAX system or through a modem and personal computer. A user-friendly, menu-driven program to extract toxicity information has been developed for use by government offices. A magnetic tape of AQUIRE data and software for the VAX system are available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS PB92-500453). There are several commercial vendors of AQUIRE for access by the private sector. See Appendix A for a current listing of AQUIRE sources. For more information on details of access or for user support, please call the Scientific Outreach Program at 218/722-0075 for referral to the appropriate database staff person. ------- LITERATURE REVIEW Data Sources Pertinent literature is identified through on-line computer searches of the international literature on a continuing basis. The computerized searches were initiated with the 1970 publication year and continue through to the present. A comprehensive search was designed to include the effect of virtually all toxic substances on aquatic organisms within the scope of the AQUIRE guidelines. Commercial literature sources are continually evaluated for relevance to the AQUIRE literature search. The search strategy is evaluated in regard to the success ratio of each search. Additional sources include abstract journals, US EPA Water Quality Criteria document bibliographies and the ERL-D library collection. The abstracts received are screened to identify references applicable to AQUIRE. Those references pertinent to the database are acquired through a variety of literature acquisition procedures, such as author reprint requests, inter-library loans, and commercial sources. As the publications are received, they are archived in an AQUIRE bibliographic subfile. A reference number is assigned for storage and retrieval purposes, and a final check for applicability and duplication is made. A reprint of each publication is kept on file. Data obtained from independent data files, rather than the published literature, are subjected to a series of quality assurance criteria prior to acceptance. The key AQUIRE data fields: CAS number and chemical name, test organism, effect, exposure duration, and concentration must be included. Documentation describing the test methods must be provided. If tests are missing key parameters or the experimental methodology was erratic, the data is rejected. Following an update of acceptable data, a 10% quality assurance check of CAS number identification, verification of species Latin name and confirmation of effect concentrations is made. The AQUIRE literature is processed by trained reviewers. An intensive four-month training period, a we11-documented manual (US EPA, 1984), and close interaction with the data coordinator help to ensure a high level of accuracy and consistency in the reviewing process. Ten percent of the publications are independently reviewed by two different reviewers. These reviews are compared, differences (if any) are documented, discussed and resolved by the data coordinator. The data elements contained in AQUIRE are grouped by test chemical, test organism, test conditions and test endpoint. The test chemical parameters define the toxicant, the associated ------- registry number, and the grade, purity and/or composition of the toxicant. The test organism parameters define the type of organism and the lifestage being tested. The test conditions identify the test water, test location, exposure type and duration, control parameters, and basic water chemistry. The test endpoint parameters consist of a code to define the acute, sublethal, or BCF effect and the effect concentration. In addition to the preceding categories, AQUIRE incorporates the use of a review code which indicates the amount of documentation available for each piece of data in AQUIRE. The following sections describe each of the data elements. Test Chemical A standardized identification number and name for each chemical recorded in the database is used for consistency. Toxicants included in the AQUIRE database are assigned a Chemical Abstracts Services (CAS) registry number and are referred to by the Ninth Collective Index (9CI) standard nomenclature. The CAS number and 9CI name are stored in a file accessed by AQUIRE. The CAS number, verified name, synonyms, and verification sources are kept on card file for documentation purposes. Retrieval is made by using the CAS number or the chemical name. It is important to stress that the user refer to the original publication to retrieve additional test chemical information which may affect the context of toxicity information retrieved from AQUIRE. Test Organism The test organism is identified by the current Latin name as verified in the taxonomic literature. Major and minor codes have been assigned to aid the user in obtaining information at various taxonomic levels (Appendix B). For each species entry, the verified name, taxonomic code, nomenclature history and verification sources are kept on file for documentation purposes. Test organism life stage information includes characteristics such as age, weight, length, developmental stage, and initial cell concentration to describe the organism being tested. Test Media Freshwater tests include those conducted in freshwater, reconstituted water, distilled water, or tap water. Saltwater tests include those conducted in natural or artificial seawater, brackish water or estuarine water. Test Location ------- A field test: is an experiment conducted in a natural water body, or in an artificial water body that meets all of the following criteria: it is located outdoors; the system has a natural bottom substrate; and aquatic communities (e.g. bacteria, phytoplankton and zooplankton) have become established. All other conditions are considered lab tests. Exposure Duration Exposure duration is coded using the units reported in the literature. There is an automatic conversion to days as units for the retrieval program. For a fluctuating or intermittent dosing experiment, the dosing interval is recorded. Exposure Type The exposure type indicates the type of chemical exposure, such as static, flow-through, renewal, diet, injection, or in situ. Water Chemistry The following water chemistry parameters are included in AQUIRE. These measured values pertain only to the test water chemistry. Dilution water chemistry values are not generally reported. - Temperature is expressed in degrees Celsius. - Hardness and alkalinity are expressed as mg/L as CaCO3. If the author only reports the terms: hard or soft, these terms are recorded. - Dissolved oxygen is reported in mg/L or % saturation. pH is reported. Chemical Analysis Method Quantitative analyses of water in test chambers or field sites are considered a measured concentration. Concentrations that are not analyzed in test chambers or field sites are considered unmeasured (nominal). If it is not reported whether the concentration is measured or unmeasured, an unmeasured condition is assumed. Control Tests Control tests are determined to be satisfactory, unsatisfactory, or indeterminate according to criteria established in standard test method protocols. Effect Concentration The effect concentration is expressed in fig/I*. The 95% confidence interval or range is recorded when available. If the ------- concentration is reported in units which cannot be readily converted into M9/Li i.e., mg/kg or /uCi/L, the concentration value and its units are recorded. If both the measured and nominal water concentration are reported, the measured concentration is recorded. Concentrations based on the active ingredient or formulation, or as the total, un-ionized or dissolved concentration, are identified. Effects The LC50/EC50 endpoint is a statistically derived, estimated toxicity test endpoint. An LC50 is the median lethal concentration and is used only when death is the observed endpoint. An EC50 is the median effective concentration and is used when an effect other than death is the observed endpoint. In AQUIRE, an EC50 is usually followed by an abbreviation that defines the specific effect measured. Occasionally the author does not specify the effect measured. The endpoint is then recorded as an EC50. Sublethal (i.e., reproduction, growth) and bioconcentration (i.e., BCF) data are recorded in the format which is reported in each publication. Effects reported after the organisms are transferred to recovery (toxicant free) test chambers are recorded as delayed effects. Delayed effects are reported only if the direct exposure effects are not specified. Appendix C lists the current effect codes for the AQUIRE database. Review Code The AQUIRE review code indicates the type and completeness of methods documentation accompanying the data. Review code assignments range from detailed documentation to summary format (1-4) and independently compiled data files range from review codes >5. Review Code = 1: Thorough methods and results documentation. Review Code = 2: Documentation is generally satisfactory; but one or more of the pieces of information are missing from either the methods or results section such as control information or chemical concentrations are unmeasured. Review Code = 3: Insufficient methods and results documentation. Review Code = 4: Indicates data is available only in a limited format, such as conference proceeding abstracts or the English abstracts for untranslated foreign papers. 8 ------- Review Code = 5: This file contains ERL-D laboratory data for acute toxicity of organic chemicals, using a single test species (juvenile fathead minnows). The information was transferred via computer files and was not subjected to the standard AQUIRE procedures. All test results, including data not available on-line, are available in five volumes titled: Acute Toxicities of Organic Chemicals to Fathead Minnows (Pimephales promelas), (Center for Lake Superior Environmental Studies; University of Wisconsin-Superior; 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, and 1990). Review > 5: These will be utilized as additional data files are incorporated. 9 ------- REFERENCES American Society for Testing and Materials. 1989. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Section II Water and Environmental Technology, Pesticides; Resource Recovery; Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Responses; Waste Disposal; Biological Effects. Vol. 11.04. ASTM, Philadelphia, PA. American Public Health Association, American Waste Works Association, and Water Pollution Control Federation. 1989. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Water, Seventeenth Edition, APHA Washington, DC. Center for Lake Superior Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Superior; 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, and 1990. Acute Toxicities of Organic Chemicals to Fathead Minnows (Pimephales promelas) Vol. 1-5. University of Wisconsin-Superior; Superior, WI. Code of Federal Regulations. 1987. Title 40 - Protection of Environment, Part 700 to end. U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington, DC. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1984. AQUIRE: Aquatic Information Retrieval Toxicity Database. Project Description, Guidelines and Procedures. EPA 600/8-84-021. By R.c. Russo and A. Pilli. Environmental Research Laboratory-Duluth; Office of Research and Development; US EPA; Duluth, MN. 10 ------- Appendix A AQUIRE General Access Information Sheet July 1992 AQUIRE is available from the following sources: 1. On-line access for government agencies is routed through the U.S. EPA National Computer Center. For AQUIRE access information, please contact: Scientific Outreach Program Phone: 218-722-0075 2. On-line access for the private sector is available from a number of commercial vendors. The sources that we are currently aware of include: Chemical Information Systems, Inc. Phone: 800-CIS-USER Technical Database Services, Inc. Phone: 212-245-0044 3. VAX VMS data tapes of AQUIRE are available through the National Technical Information Services (NTIS). For additional information, please contact: National Technical Information Service Phone: 703-487-4763 4. Database retrieval service providing ASCII and microcomputer database files is available from: Spectrum Research, Inc. Phone: 218-525-5322 5. Sources for the AQUIRE database in microcomputer format include: AScI Corporation Phone: 703-847-0001 Spectrum Research, Inc. Phone: 218-525-5322 6. VAX VMS and UNIX based software for on-site use: Daylight Chemical Information Systems Inc. Phone: 714-476-0451 A-1 ------- APPENDIX B MAJOR/MINOR SPECIES CODES Major codes = two-letter codes, eg. OS for Osteichthyes Minor codes = four-letter codes, eg. CYPR for Cyprinidae MISCELLANEOUS (Ml) AQCO Aquatic community (plants and animals) AQIN Invertebrates (several phyla) AQPL Plankton (planktonic plants and animals) CYANOBACTERIA (CY) CYAN Cyanophyta (blue-green algae) PROTOZOA (PR) PROT Protozoans (unicellular animals) CRYS Chrysophyta (diatoms, coccolithids, golden algae) EUGL Euglenophyta (euglenoids) PHAE Phaeophyta (brown algae) PYRR Pyrrophyta (dinoflagellates) RHOD Rhodophyta (red algae) XANT Xanthophyta (yellow-green algae) BRYOPHYTA (BY) HEPA Hepaticae (liverworts) MUSC Musci (mosses) ALGAE (AL) By Division (See also Cyanobacteria) ALGU Algae (more than one division) CHLO Chlorophyta (green algae) CHRO Charophyta (stoneworts) CRYP Cryptophyta (cryptomonads) TRACHEOPHYTA (TR) PTER Pteropsida (ferns) SALV Salviniaceae TRAC Tracheophytes (vascular plants) ACAN Acanthaceae ACER Aceraceae ACTI Actinidiaceae AGAV Agavaceae ALIS Alismataceae AMAR Amaranthaceae AMAY Amaryllidaceae B-1 ------- ANAC Anacardiaceae APIA Apiaceae APOC Apocynaceae AQUI Aquifoliaceae ARAC Araceae ARAL Araliaceae ARAL! Araucariaceae AREC Arecaceae ASCL Asclepiadaceae ASTE Asteraceae BALS Balsaminaceae BEGO Begoniaceae BERB Berberidaceae BETU Betulaceae BIGN Bignoniaceae BORA Boraginaceae BRAS Brassicaceae BROM Bromeliaceae BUXA Buxaceae CACT Cactaceae CANB Cannabaceae CANN Cannaceae CAPP Capparaceae CAPR Caprifoliaceae CARI Caricaceae GARY Caryophyllaceae CASU Casuarinaceae CELA Celastraceae CHEN Chenopodiaceae CLUS Clusiaceae COMM Commelinaceae CONV Convolvulaceae CORN Cornaceae CRAS Crassulaceae CUCU Cucurbitaceae CUPR Cupressaceae CUSC Cuscutaceae CYPE Cyperaceae DENN Dennstaedtiaceae DIOS Dioscoreaceae DIPS Dipsacaceae EBEN Ebenaceae ELAE Elaeagnaceae ERIC Ericaceae EUPH Euphorbiaceae FABA Fabaceae FAGA Fagaceae FLAG Flacourtiaceae FUMA Fumariaceae GERA Geraniaceae GINK Ginkgoaceae GROS Grossulariaceae HAMA Hamamelidaceae HIPP Hippocastanaceae HYDR Hydrangeaceae IRID Iridaceae JUGL Juglandaceae JUNG Juncaceae LAM I Lamiaceae LAUR Lauraceae LI LI Liliaceae LINA Linaceae LYTH Lythraceae MAGN Magnoliaceae MALV Malvaceae MELA Melastomataceae MELI Meliaceae MOLL Molluginaceae MORA Moraceae MUSA Musaceae MYOP Myoporaceae MYRS Myrsinaceae MYRT Myrtaceae NYCT Nyctaginaceae NYSS Nyssaceae OLEA Oleaceae OLEN Oleandraceae ONAG Onagraceae ORCH Orchidaceae OXAL Oxalidaceae PAPA Papaveraceae PASS Passifloraceae PEDA Pedaliaceae PHYT Phytolaccaceae PINA Pinaceae PIPE Piperaceae PITT Pittosporaceae PLAN Plantaginaceae B-2 ------- PLAT Platanaceae POAC Poaceae POLE Polemoniaceae POLY Polygonaceae PORT Portulacaceae PRIM Primulaceae PROT Proteaceae PUNI Punicaceae RANU Ranunculaceae RHAM Rhamnaceae RHIZ Rhizophoraceae ROSA Rosaceae RUBI Rubiaceae RUTA Rutaceae SALI Salicaceae SAPI Sapindaceae SAPO Sapotaceae SAXI Saxifragaceae SCRO Scrophulariaceae SIMA Simaroubaceae SMIL Smilacaceae SOLA Solanaceae STER Sterculiaceae TAMA Tamaricaceae TAXA Taxaceae TAXO Taxodiaceae THEA Theaceae THYM Thymelaeaceae TILI Tiliaceae TROP Tropaeolaceae TYPH Typhaceae ULMA Ulmaceae URTI Urticaceae VERB Verbenaceae VIOL Violaceae VITA Vitaceae ZYGO Zygophyllaceae FUNGI (FU) FUNG Fungi PORIFERA (PO) PORI Sponges CNIDARIA (CN) CNID Cnidarians (hydroids, sea anemones, jellyfish) CTENOPHORA (CT) CTEN Ctenophores (comb-jellies) PLATYHELMINTHES (PL) By Class CEST Cestoda (tapeworms) TREM Trematoda (flukes) TURB Turbellaria (flatworms) GNATHOSTOMULIDA (GN) GNAT Gnathostomulids NEMERTEA (NE) NEME Nemerteans (proboscis worms) NEMATODA (NM) NEMA Nematodes (roundworms) GASTROTRICHA (GS) B-3 ------- GAST Gastrotrichs ROTIFERA (RO) ROTI Rotifers NEMATOMORPHA (NT) NEMT Horsehair, gordian worms ANNELIDA (AN) By class HIRU Hirudinea (leeches) OLIG Oligochaeta (earthworms) POLY Polychaeta (bristleworms) BRACHIOPODA (BC) BRAC Brachiopods (lamp shells) MOLLUSCA (ML) By Class AMPN Amphineura (chitons) CEPH Cephalopoda (squids, octopuses) GASR Gastropoda (snails, limpets, slugs) PELE Pelecypoda (bivalves, clams, mussels) ARACHNIDA (AR) ARAC Arachnids (mites, spiders) MEROSTOMATA (MR) MERO Merostomata (horseshoe crabs) CRUSTACEA (CR) By Subclass, Order or Suborder AMPH Amphipoda (scuds) ANOS Anostraca (fairy shrimp) BRAN Branchiura (fish lice) CIRR Cirripedia (barnacles) CLAD Cladocera (water fleas) CONG Conchostraca (clam shrimp) COPE Copepoda (copepods) CRUS Crustaceans (several groups) DECA Decapoda (shrimp, crayfish, crabs) EUPH Euphausiacea (euphasid) ISOP Isopoda (sowbugs) MYSI Mysidacea (opposum shrimp) NOTO Notostraca (tadpole shrimp) OSTR Ostracoda (seed shrimp, ostracods) INSECTA (IN) By Order COLE Coleoptera (beetles) COLL Collembola (springtail beetles) DIPT Diptera (flies, mosquitoes, midges) B-4 ------- EPHE Ephemeroptera (mayflies) HEM! Hemiptera (water bugs) INSE Insects (several groups) LEPD Lepidoptera (aquatic caterpillars) MEGA Megaloptera (hellgrammites, alderflies, ishflies) NEUR Neuroptera (spongilla fly) ODON Odonata (dragonflies) PLEC Plecoptera (stoneflies) TRIO Trichoptera (caddisflies) SIPUNCULA (SI) SIPU Sipunculid worms BRYOZOA (BR) BRYO Bryozoans ASCI Ascidiacea (sea squirts, ascidians) CHONDRICHTHYES (CH) By Family DASY Dasyatidae (stingrays) MYLI Myliobatidae (eagle rays) OREC Orectolobidae (carpet sharks, nurse sharks) RAJI Rajidae (skates, rays) SCYL Scyliorhinidae (cat sharks) SQUA Squalidae (dogfish sharks) TORP Torpendinidae (electric rays) AGNATHA (AG) PETR Petromyzontidae (lampreys) ECHINODERMATA (EC) ECHI Echinoderms (starfish, sea urchins) CEPHALOCHORDATA (CC) CCHO Cephalochordates CHAETOGNATHA (CA) CHAE Arrowworms UROCHORDATA (UR) OSTEICHTHYES (OS) By Family ACIP Acipenseridae (sturgeons) AGON Agonidae (poachers) AMII Amiidae (bowfins) AMMO Ammodytidae (sand lances) ANAB Anabantidae (climbing perches) ANGU Anguillidae (freshwater eels) APHR Aphredoderidae (pirate perches) ARM Ariidae (catfish) ATHE Atherinidae (silversides) B-5 ------- BAGR Bagridae (scaleless catfish) BALI Balistidae (leather-jackets, filefishes) BATR Batrachoididae (toadfishes) BELO Belonidae (needle fish) BLEN Blenniidae (blennies) BOTH Bothidae (lefteye flounders) CARA Carangidae (jacks, scads, pompanos) CATO Catostomidae (suckers) CENT Centrarchidae (sunfishes) CHAN Chanidae (milkfish) CHAR Characidae (characins) CHNN Chnnidae (snakehead catfish) CICH Cichlidae (cichlids) CLAR Clariidae (airbreathing catfishes) CLUP Clupeidae (herrings) GOBI Cobitidae (loaches) CONG Congridae (conger eels) COTT Cottidae (sculpins) CTRO Centropomidae (snooks) CYLO Cylopteridae (snailfish) CYPI Cyprinidae (minnows, carps) CYPO Cyprinodontidae (killifishes) DENT Denticidae (silverfish) ELEC Electrophoridae (electric eels) EMBI Embiotocidae (surfperches) ENGR Engraulidae (anchovies) ESOC Esocidae (pikes) FISH Fish (several groups) GADI Gadidae (cods) GALA Galaxidae (galaxid fish) GASE Gasterosteidae (sticklebacks) GERR Gerreidae (mojarras) GOBI Gobiidae (gobies) HAEM Haemulidae (grunts) HETE Heteropneustidae (air-sac catfish) HIOD Hiodontidae (mooneyes) ICTA Ictaluridae (freshwater catfishes) KUHL Kuhliidae (flagfish, flagtails) KYPH Kyphosidae (sea chubs) LABR Labridae (wrasses) LACT Lactariidae (whitefish) LEIO Leiognathidae (ponyfishes, slimys or slipmouths) LEPS Lepisosteidae (gars) LOPH Lophiidae (goosefishes) MAST Mastacembelidae (spiny eels) MERL Merlucciidae (cods, true hakes, whitings) MOCH Mochokidae (scaleless catfish) MORM Mormyridae (elephant fishes) MUGI Mugilidae (mullets) NAND Nandidae (leaffish, nandids) NOTO Nototheniidae (cod icefishes) NOTP Notopteridae (featherbacks) OPHI Ophidiidae (brotulas and cusk-eels) OPLE Oplegnathidae (parrot fishes) OSME Osmeridae (smelts) PARA Paralichthyidae (halibut) PERC Percidae (perches) B-6 ------- PERI Percichthyidae (temperate basses) PIME Pimelodidae (S. American freshwater catfish) PLCO Plecoglossidae (Ayu) PLEU Pleuronectidae (righteye flounders) PLTS Plotosidae (eeltail catfishes) PLYD Polyodotidae (paddlefishes) PLYN Polynemidae (threadfins) POEC Poeciliidae (livebearers) POMA Pomacentridae (damselfishes) PRCO Percopsidae (trout perch) SALM Salmonidae (trouts, salmons) SCHI Schilibeidae (African and Asian freshwater catfish) SCIA Sciaenidae (drums) SCOM Scombridae (mackerels, tunas) SCOR Scorpaenidae (scorpion fishes) SERR Serranidae (sea basses) SILG Sillaginidae (smelt- whitings) SILU Siluridae (Eurasian freshwater catfish) SOLE Soleidae (soles) SPAR Sparidae (porgies) SYNB Synbranchidae (swamp eels) SYNG Syngnathidae (seahorses, pipefishes) TACH Tachysuridae (catfish) TETR Tetraodontidae (puffers) THER Theraponidae (tigerfish) TRIG Triglidae (gurnards and searobins) UMBR Umbridae (mudminnow) AMPHIBIA (AM) By Family AM BY Ambystomatidae (salamanders) AMPB Amphibians (more than one group) BUFO Bufonidae (common toads) HYLI Hylidae (tree frogs) HYNO Hynobiidae (primitive salamanders) LEPT Leptodactylidae (frogs) MICR Microhylidae (narrow-mouthed toads) PELO Pelobatidae (spadefoot toads) PIPI Pipidae (clawed toads) RANI Ranidae (common frogs) SALA Salamandridae (true salamanders) B-7 ------- APPENDIX C EFFECT CODES The LC50/EC50 endpoint is a statistically derived, estimated toxicity test endpoint. An LC50 is the median lethal concentration and is used only when death is the observed endpoint. An EC50 is the median effective concentration and is used when an effect other than death is the observed endpoint. In AQUIRE, an EC50 is usually followed by an abbreviation that defines the specific effect measured; occasionally the author does not specify the effect measured. The endpoint is then recorded as an EC50. Effects reported after the organisms are transferred to recovery (toxicant free) test chambers or tanks are recorded as delayed effects. Delayed effects are reported only if no other exposure effects are specified. To distinguish delayed effects in AQUIRE the effect abbreviation is preceded with the character ~. EFFECT CODE ABBREVIATIONS ABD - Abundance: Number of organisms within the same species changes. ABN - Abnormalities: Physical malformation during developmental stages. AVO - Avoidance: Avoidance or attraction to a chemical gradient. BEH - Behavior: Quantifiable change in activity including trained behavior, temperature preference, shell valve closure. BCF - Bioconcentration factor. Accumulation of a toxicant in the tissues of the test organism compared to the measured toxicant concentration in the water in which the organism was exposed; BCF = g/kg chemical in fish tissue (wet weight) g/L chemical in H2O BCFD - Bioconcentration factor derived using dry weight. BIO - Biochemical effect: Change in physiochemical process including glycogen uptake, cholesterol levels and lipid analysis. BMS - Biomass: Change in the amount of living matter in a defined area. C-1 ------- BSA - Byssal attachment: Change in ability to attach to substrate. GEL - Cellular effect: Change in organelle structure. CLN - Rate of colonization: Change in ability to colonize an uninhibited substrate under toxicant stress. CLR - Chlorophyll: Measurable change in chlorophyll content including chlorophyll a content, chlorosis, change in algal cell pigment. CYT - Cytogenetic effect: Changes in the RNA and DMA of the cell. DRF - Drift: Change in number of larval aquatic insects to travel a given distance in a stream. DVP - Development: Change in ability to grow to a more mature life stage and in time between separate life stages, including metamorphosis, molting, emergence and yolk absorption effects. EC50 - Median Effective Concentration. Used when an effect other than death is the observed endpoint. ECxx - Effective Concentration to xx% of tested organisms. EC50AB - Abnormalities EC50AV - Avoidance EC50BA - Byssal Attachment EC50BH - Behavior EC50BM - Biomass EC50CD - Cell Division EC50CH - Chlorophyll EC50CL - Case Leaving EC50DE - Detection of Toxicant EC50DT - Detachment EC50DV - Development EC50EM - Emergence EC50EP - Egg Production EC50EQ - Loss of Equilibrium EC50EZ - Enzyme Activity EC50FC - Food Consumption EC50FD - Reduced First Feeding EC50FR - Filtration Rate EC50GR - Growth EC50HA - Hatchability C-2 ------- EC50HM - Hemorrhage EC50IM - Immobilization EC50IR - Irritation EC50MI - Migration Suppression EC50NF - Nitrogen Fixation EC50OX - Oxygen Production EC50PC - Pop. Carrying Capacity EC50PG - Pigment Change EC50PH - Physiological EC50PP - Population Size Reduction EC50PS - Photosynthesis EC50PU - Pupation EC50RE - Reproduction EC50RG - Regeneration EC50SC - Shell Valve Closure EC50SH - Shell Deposition EC50TE - Teratogenesis EC50SW - Swimming Incidence ENZ - Enzyme effect: Change in enzyme activity. ET50 - Mean Estimated Survival Time. EQU - Equilibrium: Change in ability to maintain balance. FCR - Food consumption rate: Quantifiable change in rate of ingestion or fecal pellet production. FLT - Filtration rate: Change in rate of filtration. GRO - Growth: Measurable change in length and/or weight of test organism. HAT - Hatchability: Change in percent hatch or time to hatch. HEM - Hematological effect: Change in various blood parameters such as red blood cell count, hematocrit, and serum osmolarity. HIS - Histological effect: Presence of physical damage to tissues. HPS - Hepatosomatic index: Change in hepatosomatic index. HRM - Hormone effect: Change in hormone concentration. C-3 ------- LC50 - Median Lethal Concentration. Used only when death is the observed endpoint. TLms, TLSOs, and ECSOs with death as the measured endpoint are considered identical to LCSOs (see LC50*). LC50* - Represents TLm, TL50, or ECSOs with death as the measured endpoint. LCxx - Lethal Concentration to xx % of tested organisms. L050 - Median Lethal Concentration when exposed through injection or diet. LET - Lethal: 100 % mortality or 0 % survival including algicidal and herbicidal effects. LOG - Locomotor behavior: Quantifiable change in direct movement or activity. LT50 - Lethal Threshold Concentration. LT50* - Mean Survival Time. Represents time until death of 50 % of the tested organisms. MOR - Mortality: Effect expressed as % death or % survival. MOT - Motility: Change in ability to move. Used for single cell organisms. NFX - Nitrogen fixation: Change in ability of an algal culture to fix nitrogen. OC - Oxygen consumption. Quantifiable change in oxygen uptake of test animal or its tissues, measured in terms of ml 02/h/g wt. Does not include oxygen uptake for plants (see PSE). PGR - Population growth: Change in cell number of algal species. PHY - Physiological effects: Changes in the organic processes or functions of an organism or any of its parts. Effects include metabolic stress, caloric content, membrane permeability, osmoregulation, cough frequency, animal pigment changes, urine production, chemosensory response, heart beat, structural changes, and neurological effects among others. POP - Population: Change in number of species groups in a given community; i.e., species diversity. PR - Phototactic response: Attraction to or avoidance of light. C-4 ------- PRB - Predatory behavior: Change in ability and inclination to seek and capture prey. PRV - Predation vulnerability: Change in ability to avoid or escape capture. PSE - Photosynthesis effect: Change in plant productivity indicated by Press change in 14C or CO2 uptake or oxygen production. REP - Reproductive effects: Change in male and/or female reproductive ability. Effect is indicated by number of young per female, time to spawn, egg production, broods per female, fertilization. RES - Respiratory effect: Change in ventilatory rate or breathing activity, such as opercular movement. Not used for plants (see PSE). RGN - Regeneration: Change in ability to regenerate a body part. RSD - Residue: Used for tissue concentration data when a BCF is not reported or not calculated, or when BCFs are reported as zero, trace or not detected. SIR - Stress: Observed physiological tension in animals or plants. TER - Teratogenesis: Quantifiable occurrence of abnormal offspring. THL - Thermal effect: Change in tolerance to temperature change. TMR - Tumor occurrence: Presence of a mass of abnormal tissue. VTE - Vertebral effect: Physical change in vertebral structure and/or composition leading to scoliosis, lordosis, etc. ~xxx - Any effect (xxx) reported after the organisms are transferred to recovery (toxicant free) test chambers. C-5 ------- AQUatic toxicty Information REtrieval database JUNE 1993 AQUIRE USER UPDATE 1. ACCESS Password: The new ERLD_ORD account password (OECDDATA) is effective on June 30, 1993. New Access Sheet: A revised Access Sheet for EPA ERL-Duluth's Aquatic Ecotoxicology Data Systems is enclosed. The new Access Sheet includes updated User Support Telephone and Fax numbers. Please discard all previous access sheets. AQUIRE User Updates are distributed to all public sector clients registered on the Scientific Outreach mailing list. Please remember to forward all new data system access information to the system users that you represent. Scheduled Access Interruption: Dial-in service to the NCC will not be available from 6:00 a.m., EDT, Saturday, July 10, 1993, until 6:00 a.m., EDT, Monday, July 12, 1993 to allow for equipment upgrades. Thereafter, the appearance of the dial-in menu will be slightly different, but log-in procedures remain unchanged. Please continue to follow present access instructions. This scheduled interruption should affect dial-in users only. 2. MORE AQUIRE DATA / NEW AQUIRE FEATURES !!!! 1989-1993 Literature: Since the November 1992 edition of the AQUIRE User Update, 3 data updates were made to the database. Through these updates, a total of 2,265 individual aquatic toxicity test entries were modified or added to the system. AQUIRE now offers data contributed through an international data exchange clearinghouse with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Borok Institute in Russia. The current release of AQUIRE delivers data submitted from Germany, the Netherlands, and Russia. New Data Output Options: New AQUIRE features include a data output option that displays chemical characteristic information (e.g. purity, grade) using the customized column output report, and a report generation option (Full Record Detail) that displays the entire AQUIRE record for each test identified in a search. The standard report remains an available option for rapid viewing of system output. Selection of the Full Record Detail option allows the user to peruse all AQUIRE fields for a given test, while the standard AQUIRE output format presents selected data fields in a concise table. 3. SCIENTIFIC OUTREACH The ERL-Duluth Scientific Outreach Program is committed to the provision of effective technical user services. Please call or fax AQUIRE inquiries to the Scientific Outreach Program at the new numbers listed below. Thank you for your continued support of AQUIRE and interest in ERL- Duluth ecotoxicology data systems! Tel: (218) 722-0075 or (218) 720-5602 Fax: (218) 720-5539 Scientific Outreach Program. U.S. EPA, Environmental Research Laboratory-Duluth 6201 Conedon B/vd, Duluth, MN 55804 ------- How to Access EPA ERL-Duluth's Aquatic Ecotoxicology Data Systems 06/15/93 „, JUN 2 4 1993 STEP ONE: Connecting to the computer Choose the method best suited to your situation from those that follow. in all cases, it is best to be using either a computer terminal that supports the DEC extended ANSI standard or else a computer that is running software to emulate the behavior of a DEC ANSI terminal such as a VT100 or a VT102. Many communication programs (e.g. CROSSTALK, PROCOMM, PC-Kermit) allow you to select one of these. (Public domain PC-Kermit also supports graphics.) If you have difficulty making the connection, you can get help from the communications personnel at the EPA Network Control Facility. If they ask for your user ID, your username is ERLD_ORD on VAXTMl. Call EPA NCF at 800-334-0741 or 919-541-4506 or FAX 919-541-3818. A. VAX computers on EPA's DECnet If you arelogged onto a VAX computer on EPA's DECnet, simply use the command SET HOST VAXTMl B. Prime computers on EPA's Primenet If you are logged onto a Prime computer on EPA's Primenet, use the Primes command NETLINK -TO VAXTMl C. PathWorks PCs on EPA's WAN EPA PCs running Pathworks may use SETHOST VAXTMl CTERM: or else the equivalent command SETHOST 1.12 CTERM: D. Computers on Internet For access via internet, use telnet epavax.rtpnc.epa.gov or else the equivalent command telnet 134.67.208.95 E. IBM 3270 access via a dedicated circuit . If you are a 3270 user connected to the NCC IBM through a dedicated circuit, see page 2 for special STEP ONE instructions. However, the other methods would provide several advantages over this one. F. Everyone else (via modem to the EPA National Computer Center) Call the EPA Network Control Facility (see above) . Ask for instructions on how to access the VAXTMl computer at NCC. They can help you determine the best method. If you need to use a modem to dial in, they will supply you with the best phone number for your location and modem speed. Before purchasing any modem, ask EPA NCF about their modem test results. Ask your local computer staff for instructions on how to use a modem at your site. Set the modem for 7 data bits, even parity, and 1 stop bit. When connecting, press ENTER a few times to allow detection of your modem's speed. You will see a menu. Respond by entering the word VAXTMl (Do not be troubled if VAXTMl is not on the menu.) STEP TWO: Logging into the account Press ENTER. You should see the prompt for Username: Your response (including the underline) is ERLD_ORD Enter the current password following Password: If this fails, heed any message given. Press ENTER to try again. For further information or assistance, please call the ERL-Duluth Scientific Outreach Program at 218-720-5602 or FAX 218-720-5539 ------- 2 Accessing EPA ERL-D's Aquatic Ecotoxicology Data Systems (cont.) Special STEP ONE instructions for 3270 users of the NCC IBM 1. Use your local computer staff's instructions for starting the NCC NETSOL application. The menu title should look like this: NETMAIN U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Date: Menu System Time: 2. At the "Command ===>" prompt, enter VAXTMl You may now proceed with STEP TWO of the normal instructions. Some 3270 Tips for Emulating a VT100 Using A-NET IMPORTANT: DO NOT TYPE INPUT WHENEVER THE SCREEN IS CHANGING. During your session on the VAX, you can press PA2 to display the main menu of the A-NET communication program. From there you can see/change key definitions (KEYBOARD option) or other settings. Use the T (TERMINAL) option to return to your VAX session. The first 18 PF keys are predefined to emulate the 18 keys on a VT100 keypad. You can look at any VT100 keypad diagram and easily match the keys to the appropriate PF keys on your terminal just by reading across in rows. The first row of four keys (PF1-PF4) correspond to the first four PF keys, the second row in the diagram* matches the second four PF keys, and so on. PF19 is defined as CONTROL. Whenever a control key is needed (e.g. Ctrl-Z or ~Z), press the corresponding letter followed by PF19. Remember: 'Nineteen for Nonprinting control characters. Here are some common control key equivalents: H PF19 -Ctrl-H -Backspace L PF19 -Ctrl-L -Form Feed I PF19 -Ctrl-l -Horizontal Tab M PF19 -Ctrl-M -Carriage Return J PF19 =Ctrl-J -Line Feed { PF19 =Ctrl-{ -Escape PF20 is a transmit key. Like ENTER, it will send your input to the VAX. Unlike ENTER, it will not append New Line characters to your input. Use ENTER whenever a DEC user would use the RETURN key. Use PF20 whenever applications are designed to respond to key strokes immediately without waiting for the RETURN key (e.g. selecting menu'items by letter). Remember: Twenty to Transmit. PF21 through PF24 correspond respectively to the four arrow keys on an ANSI terminal: up, down, left and right. PAl is DELETE. Since this is a new way to access our data systems, we are especially interested in your comments. You can leave them in the COMMENTS option while on-line or call the Outreach number at the bottom of page 1. If you have any questions specifically about using the A-NET communication program, call user support: EPA User Support 800-334-2405 or 919-541-7862 or FAX 919-541-0028 ------- |