United States	Office of	Publication 9200.5-3251
Environmental Protection Solid Waste and	September 1992
Agency	Emergency Response
«>EPA
BTAG Forum
Office of Emergency and Remedial Response
Hazardous Site Evaluation Division (OS-230)
Intermittent Bulletin
Volume 2, Number 2
Ecological Risk Assessment Projects
In FY 92, Region 6 selected four
sites as pilot projects for the accel-
erated remedial investigation pro-
gram. This article describes the
ecological risk assessments com-
pleted for two of these pre-SACM
iuperfund Accelerlated Cleanup
ivlodel) sites: American Creosote, a
32-acre site in Winnfield, Louisi-
ana, and Popile, a 40-acre site in El
Dorado, Arkansas. Both are former
woodtreating facilities. Ecological
contaminants of concern (COCs)
were polynuclear aromatic hydro-
carbons, (PAHs), pentachlorophe-
nol (PCP), heptachlorinated and
octachlorinated dioxins, dibenzo-
furans (dioxins), and phenol.
Members of the Region 6 Peer
Review Risk Assessment Commit-
tee conducted site visits during
January to scope the ecological field
work. It was decided to collect soil,
sediment, and water samples at the
American Creosote site, and water
and sediment samples at the Popile
site. Ecological samples were col-
lected in February 1992 in coordi-
nation with field work for the
Remedial Investigation and the Hu-
man Health Risk Assessment.
The EPA-Houston laboratory ran
7-day Ceriodaphnia dubia tests and
fathead minnow (Pimephales
promelas) chronic toxicity tests on
sediment and water samples from
both sites. Earthworm toxicity tests
were run on soil samples from the
American Creosote site by EPA's
ORD/Corvallis laboratory. EPA's
Environmental Response Team
(ERT) and Region 6 staff conducted
a wetland delineation and site evalu-
ation at the American Creosote site
in March. Biological tissue data
were not collected.
Toxicity test results for sediment
and water samples from the Popile
site showed no effects in fathead
minnows or C. dubia. The Ameri-
can Creosote site showed signifi-
cant effects at some sediment
(Continued on page 4)

INSIDE
2
News from the Regions
3
AQUIRE Update
6
News from NOAA
6
Wetlands Guidance
7
Strength in Numbers
8
Resources
0
BTAG Forum Questionnaire
11
USEPA Regional BTAG Contacts
12
EPA Database
About BTAG Forum
BTAG Forum is a Bulletin series published by EPA/OERR primarily
to foster communication among Biological/Ecological Technical As-
sistance Groups (BTAGs/ETAGs) in EPA Regional Offices. BTAGs
have been established in most Regions to assist EPA site managers in
designing, managing, and reviewing ecological assessments of
Superfund sites. The Forum carries news from the Regions, informa-
tion on publications and other potentially useful resources, requests
for information, and other items of interest to BTAG members. If you
would like more information on the BTAG in your area, contact the
Regional BTAG coordinator listed inside.

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BTAG Forum
BTAG Forum is published by
the Toxics Integration Branch,
Hazardous Site Evaluation Divi-
sion, Office of Emergency and
Remedial Response.
EDITOR
H. Ronald Preston, Region 3
Environmental Services Div.
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Susan Swenson Roddy
Region 6
CONTRIBUTIONS
BTAG Forum is published to en-
hance the level of intra- and in-
ter-Regional communication
among the Superfund scientific
community. To achieve that goal,
contributions are needed on a
regular basis. Individual contri-
butions need not be lengthy or
too detailed; they could take the
form of a simple paragraph on a
Region's BTAG activities, an an-
nouncement of upcoming work-
shops, or a request for specific
information. Both State and Fed-
eral contributions are welcome.
Please help us facilitate the
communication of news and
ideas by taking a few minutes to
write a paragraph or two for the
next Forum.
Inquiries, correspondence and
contributions should be sent to
Ron Preston, BTAG Forum,
USEPA, 303 Methodist Build-
ing, 11th and Chapline Streets,
Wheeling, WV 26003 or
telefaxed to (304) 234-0260.
Electronic mail should be sent to
EMail ID No. EPA93090.
Deadline for next issue:
23 OCTOBER 1992
News from the Regions
Region 1
July's SEAT meeting provided
an opportunity to check the status
of the Region's Superfund sites. The
five-member team provided status
reports for over 60 sites. Topical
discussions included background
levels, no-action decisions, ACL de-
termination, and clean-up levels.
Also raised were concerns involv-
ing NRTs. In some situations,
trustee representatives are not in-
volved during the process of deter-
mining clean-up levels and selecting
preferred alternatives. Their absence
seems to be due in part to the issues
being beyond their realm of inter-
est. As a result, remediation issues
do not get the same level of atten-
tion as the assessments themselves
do. Please contact Susan Svirsky
(617) 573-9649 with any sugges-
tions to address this issue.
Region 3
Region 3 has been grappling with
assessing contaminants at the Ab-
erdeen Proving Grounds in Mary-
land. Due to the unknown nature of
the experimental chemical warfare
agents produced there and the rigid
logistics of handling such sub-
stances, sampling becomes a diffi-
cult undertaking. Military facilities
provide unique problems and situa-
tions not encountered at civilian
Superfund sites. If other Regions
have experience in sampling at
weapons facilities, please contact
Bob Davis (215) 597-3155.
Region 5
Two sites were reviewed by Re-
gion 5 in July. The first site con-
tains PCB-laden river sediments
which have caused contamination
of the river's floodplain. Region 5's
site investigation will be patterneu
after a food web sampling plan pre-
viously developed for another PCB
river site. The 8-mile stretch of river
under investigation includes a
USFWS refuge located below the
source of contamination. Plans for
the ecological assessment include
trapping mink and examining their
livers for PCB concentrations.
The second site being reviewed
by Region 5 is contaminated by
electroplating wastes. Cyanide,
nickel, and chromium were identi-
fied as the contaminants of concern
causing ground water contamina-
tion. Please contact Eileen Helmer
(312) 886-4828 with questions or
comments in regards to these two
sites.
Region 6
With the assistance of ERT, Re-
gion 6 rewrote two "desktop" eco-
logical risk assessments for two
former wood-treatment facilities
(See lead article). The Region also
reviewed and commented on a well-
done "desktop" ecological risk as-
sessment for a federal facility.
Metals, munitions, and solvents
found on-site were assessed. As-
sessment of organisms included
both terrestrial and aquatic food
chains. Aquatic species included
watermilfoil, daphnid, chironomid,
mosquitofish, and largemouth bass
species. Terrestrial species included
grass, earthworm, mouse, and red-
tailed hawk species.
Other Regional activities in-
volved the review of a PRP-con-
tracted ecological inventor^
conducted under an Administrati
Order of Consent. Region 6 is in
need of examples from other Re-
(Continued on page 3)
September 1992
2
BTAG Forum

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gions on how to write an accept-
able ecological risk assessment
when available site data are limited
to ecological inventory data and
chemistry data from an extent-of-
contamination study.
The Region is providing techni-
cal assistance to a contractor for
collection of ecological data in sup-
port of an ecological risk assess-
ment for another site being piloted
for accelerated remedial investiga-
tion. Region 6 also provided tech-
nical oversight and assistance on
requirements for an ecological risk
assessment to contractors who ini-
tially failed to submit ecological risk
assessments for one of Region 6's
sites.
Proposed Plans for American
Creosote, Popile, Cal West, and
double Eagle/Fourth Street were
presented in public meetings for
addressing human health and eco-
logical risk assessment concerns.
In other news, Region 6 is look-
ing for a toxicologist/risk assessor.
For more details, please contact ei-
ther Susan Roddy (214) 655-8518
or Jon Rauscher (214) 655-8513.
Region 7
Region 7's last BTAG meeting
discussed the issue of mine tailing
waste contamination from a former
mining site. The primary topic of
concern was the effect of lead on
plants and animals living in and
around a stream impacted by former
mining operations. A question was
posed as to how to remove lead
from several miles of rocky stream
bed. If other Regions have experi-
ence in stream remediation includ-
ing the removal of lead, please con-
tact Bob Koke (913) 551-7468.
Region 10
Recent BTAG reviews in Region
10 involve two wetland sites, one
contaminated by creosote, the other
by landfill leachate. Discussion for
both sites revolved around the role
of existing wetlands in the treat-
ment of site releases.
Region 10 raises the question of
how to evaluate urban ecosystems.
With a significant number of
Superfund sites situated in urban
regions, it is critical to establish a
means of assessing ecosystems such
as parks, rivers, and greenways.
Please notify Bruce Duncan (206)
553-8086 with any suggestions or
ideas concerning the role of wet-
lands or urban ecosystems. ~
AQUIRE Update
The AQUatic toxicity Informa-
tion REtrival (AQUIRE) database
was established in 1981 by the EPA
Environmental Research Labora-
tory in Duluth, MN (ERL-Duluth).
AQUIRE provides users quick ac-
cess to a comprehensive, system-
atic, compilation of aquatic toxic
effects data.
AQUIRE includes data from na-
tionally and internationally pub-
lished scientific papers on the toxic
effects of chemicals to aquatic or-
ganisms and plants. Independently
compiled laboratory data files in-
clude AQUIRE parameters and
eet quality assurance criteria. Tox-
icity test results and related testing
information for any individual
chemical from laboratory and field
aquatic toxicity tests are extracted
and added to AQUIRE. Acute, sub-
lethal, and bioconcentration effects
are recorded for freshwater and
marine organisms.
As of August 1992, AQUIRE
comprised over 99,710 individual
test results. These tests contain in-
formation for 5,500 chemicals and
2,361 organisms, extracted from
over 6,650 publications. Data entry
for 1991 literature should be com-
pleted by September 1992. All
AQUIRE data entries are subjected
to established quality assurance pro-
cedures.
AQUIRE is a VAX-based sys-
tem located at ERL-Duluth and the
National Computer Center. The da-
tabase can be accessed through the
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 mag-
netic tape of AQUIRE data and soft-
ware for the VAX system are
available from the National Tech-
nical Information Service (NTIS
PB92-500453). Several commercial
vendors provide AQUIRE access
to the private sector.
For further information and in-
quiries regarding access to the
AQUIRE database, please contact
Christine Russom, USEPA, Envi-
ronmental Research Laboratory,
6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth,
MN 55804 or caU (218)720-5602. ~
BTAG Forum
3
September 1992

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Ecological Risk Assessment
(Continued from page 1)
sampling locations for fathead min-
nows and C. dubia, but no effects
from aquatic toxicity tests. Soil tox-
icity was indicated for some of the
earthworm toxicity test samples at
the American Creosote site.
ERT and Region 6 staff wrote
the final ecological risk assessment
reports for both sites with an in-
tense level of effort in an extremely
short period of time. The reports
included sections for site descrip-
tion, indicator species, toxicity test-
ing, chemicals of concern and
toxicological profiles, exposure
assessment, risk characterization
and uncertainty analysis, and
conclusions.
Literature on toxicological and
exposure information was reviewed
since site-specific toxicity criteria
and tissue residue data were not
available. Information obtained
from the literature included refer-
ence benchmark criteria for each of
the COCs and ecological indicator
species. The reference benchmark
toxicological criteria were measured
LOAELs and LC50 values which
were divided by an uncertainty fac-
tor of 10 to calculate LOAELs. Also
obtained from the literature were
exposure parameter data for each
indicator species (body weight,
home range size, BCFs, BAFs, di-
etary ingestion rates, and percent of
foods ingested).
Aquatic bioassessment addressed
bioconcentration to an alga
(Selenastrum capricornutum),
fathead minnows (P. promelas), and
bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus),
and bioaccumulation in fathead
minnows and bluegills. Terrestrial
assessment involved bioaccumu-
lation in deer mice (Peromyscus
maniculatus) and the red fox
(Vulpes vulpes). These indicator
species were selected because of
their potential or observed presence
on the sites and because of the avail-
ability of literature values.
Significant COC migration path-
ways and exposure routes were the
same for both sites. Migration path-
ways were runoff, erosion to sur-
face or ground water, and infiltration
into ground water with subsequent
discharge to surface water. Expo-
sure routes evaluated for fathead
minnows and bluegills were
bioconcentration (direct contact plus
inhalation) from surface water, and
ingestion of sediment, plant mate-
rial, and benthic invertebrates. In-
gestion of fish also was evaluated
for bluegills. Exposure routes evalu-
ated for deer mice were ingestion
of insects and vegetation. Ingestion
of small mammals was evaluated
for the red fox.
The equations in Table 1 were
used to estimate exposure.
Reasonable maximum exposure
(RME) values (either the 95% up-
per confidence limit or the maxima
detected) were used to calculate ex-
posure for each medium. For di-
oxin, toxicity equivalence values
(TEFs) were used because the lit-
erature toxicological reference val-
ues used 2,3,7,8-TCDD. TEFs are
based on the premise of enzyme
induction from animal studies that
were assumed to be applicable to
ecological risk assessment. Instead
of using site-specific data on con-
centrations of octa- and hepta-con-
geners, congener concentration data
were adjusted to the standard TEF
for 2,3,7,8-TCDD to account for
the toxicity of other dioxin conge-
ners. 2,3,7,8-TCDD was not de-
tected in any samples for either site.
A hazard quotient was used to
characterize risk by calculating the
ratio of exposure estimations for
each receptor to literature toxicity
benchmark criteria for each ecologi-
cal COC. Quotients greater than one
indicated the likelihood of deleteri-
ous ecological effects. Table 2 pre-
sents the results where hazard
quotients exceeded a ratio of 1.0.
All of the hazard quotients ex-
ceeding one indicated significant
risk except for PAHs in deer mice.
This is because the toxicological
benchmark criteria selected for
PAHs is based on cancer risk in
laboratory mice, which is of lim-
ited utility for predicting popula-
tion effects to wild mice.
The only uncertainty factor useo
was an uncertainty factor of 10 for
converting LC50s to LOAELs. Yet,
uncertainty is expected to be high
due to other sources such as reli-
ance on literature BCF/BAF values
(versus site-specific data), cross-
species extrapolations for literature
toxicological/exposure data, and
chemical interactions. Factoring in
uncertainty parameters for BCFs/
BAFs and other variables would
have increased the estimate of risk.
In conclusion, both American
Creosote and Popile sites present
unacceptable ecological risks.
Chemical residues in soil, sediment,
and surface water have the poten-
tial for eliminating any of the popu-
lations of indicator species residing
on the site for any significant
amount of time. ~
September 1992
4
BTAG Forum

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Table 1 Exposure Equations for Indicator Species
Algae (S. Capricornutum)
Algal uptake (total daily contaminant dose)
= BCF for alga x contaminant concentration in sediment.
Fathead Minnow
Total daily contaminant dose
Dose (mg/kg/day)
Contaminant dose
Minnow uptake
dose + minnow uptake.
contaminant dose x ingestion rate x 1/minnow body weight,
(contaminant concentration in sediment x % ingested) +
(contaminant concentration in plants x % ingested) +
(contaminant concentration in benthos x % ingested).
BCF minnow x contaminant concentration in water.
Bluegill
The equations are similar to those for fathead minnow with the following exceptions:
•	Bluegill equation terms are substituted for minnow equation terms.
•	Contaminant concentration in minnows x % ingested was added to the equation for contaminant dose.
Deer Mouse
Dose (mg/kg/day)
Contaminant dose
= contaminant dose x ingestion rate x 1/deer mouse body
weight.
= (contaminant concentration in invertebrates x % ingested) +
(contaminant concentration in terrestrial plants x % ingested).
To estimate contaminant concentrations in fish, aquatic and terrestrial plants, and invertebrates, BCFs or BAFs
were multiplied by the contaminant concentration in the media (sediment, soil, or water).
Red Fox
Dose (mg/kg/day)
Contaminant dose in small mammals
= contaminant dose in small mammals x ingestion rate x area
use factor x 1/fox body weight.
[Area use factor - % of time that the red fox is expected to
spend on the site. It is based on comparing home range size
to site size.]
= BAF small mammals x contaminant concentration in soil.
Table 2 Hazard Quotients >1.0
Contaminant	American Creosote Site
PCP	alga, fathead minnow, bluegill, deer mouse
PAHs	fathead minnow, deer mouse
Dioxins	deer mouse, red fox
Popile Site
alga, fathead minnow, bluegill
alga, fathead minnow, bluegill, deer mouse
deer mouse, red fox
BTAG Forum
September 1992

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News from NOAA
Concerns for Wetland Habitat
Wetlands
Guidance
NOAA Coastal Resource Coor-
dinators (CRCs) work with Re-
gional EPA BTAGs and project
managers to assess risks to coastal
resources from hazardous substance
releases and develop cost-effective
strategies to minimize those risks.
The CRCs represent NOAA's trust-
eeship during the removal and re-
medial process for anadromous and
catadromous fish, estuarine and
marine species, and their support-
ing habitat.
Waste sites are often located near
wetiands that serve as supporting
habitat for NOAA trust species. This
proximity is of concern for a num-
ber of reasons. Unstable physical
and chemical conditions in a con-
taminated wetland may act as a con-
taminant source to other habitats.
The wetland may be the last rem-
nant of an increasingly scarce habi-
tat and serve to attract sensitive
species. Contamination in wetland
sediment may be biologically avail-
able and may cause injury to natu-
ral resources. In addition to these
concerns, Executive Order #11990
on Protection of Wetlands requires
federal agencies to avoid adverse
impacts to wetlands during the
remediation process and to develop
mitigative measures if adverse im-
pacts are unavoidable.
These concerns usually can be
addressed through comprehensive
ecological assessment as part of the
remedial investigation. Wetland de-
lineation and assessment should be
focused on determining the use of
the wetland by natural resources,
the extent of contamination in the
wetland, and the indications that the
wetland may be a source of con-
tamination through both physical
and biological pathways. Factors
that influence the potential for con-
taminant release from wetland sedi-
ments include the stability of the
wetland as a depositional area and
the potential for groundwater re-
charge and floodwater control. The
pattern of contamination within the
wetland can indicate possible path-
ways for contaminant migration via
surface water and erosion of sedi-
ment. Biological availability and
potential impacts can be assessed
through appropriate studies in com-
bination with data on the extent-of-
contamination. These studies
include bioaccumulation, benthic
community, biomarker, and other
studies directed at the contaminants
of concern and the resources at risk.
Finally, injury to wetlands caused
by contamination should be miti-
gated through remedies that can re-
store an area and protect natural
resources from future injury. Miti-
gation and compensation for past
injury can be included in consent
decrees as part of the covenant not
to sue process. When this occurs,
the need for damage claims can be
eliminated or substantially reduced.
For more information about
NOAA's CRC Branch, please con-
tact Alyce Fritz (206) 526-6305 or
Mary Matta (206) 526-6315. ~
Staff from the Office of Solid
Waste and Emergency Response,
the Office of Waste Program En-
forcement CERCLA Enforcement
Division, and the Office of Water's
Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and
Watersheds formed The Core Work-
ing Group Considering Wetlands
at Hazardous Waste Sites in Janu-
ary 1992. Headquarters and regional
staff from this group assembled to
develop a joint cooperative guid-
ance which would address complex
issues not well addressed in exist-
ing guidance. The group also saw a
need for more consistent applica-
tions of ARARs and wetlands
identification.
Other concerns such as how the
remedial process impacts wetlands
the ecological significance of wet-
lands, and the assessment of wet-
lands at sites will be addressed. This
cooperative guidance has six major
sections including purpose, back-
ground, assessment, steps to be
taken when a site contains a wet-
land, expected impacts and ap-
proaches when dealing with
contaminated wetlands, and oppor-
tunities for information sharing and
cooperation, including a list of con-
tacts. The proposed date of comple-
tion for this work product is
November 30,1992. Questions can
be referred to either of the co-chairs;
Sherri Fields (202) 260-1932 or
Elaine Suriano (202) 260-7739. ~
September 1992
6
BTAG Forum

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Strength in Numbers
We're growing by leaps and
bounds! In just one year's time, the
BTAG Forum mailing list has grown
from 183 to 637 subscribers. Of
this current total, 462 are Federal
employees. EPA personnel account
for the majority of Federal subscrib-
ers. Other Federal agencies repre-
sented include the US Fish and
Wildlife Service, the Department
of Defense, the National Oceano-
graphic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration and the US Geological
Survey. State agencies account for
more than 50 subscribers while
those outside government make up
more than one-sixth of the list.
Breakdown by Region shows the
combined representation of EPA
Regional staff and other Federal,
State, University, and Private sub-
scribers. Below are the statistics by
Agency and Region.
EPA

Headquarters
29
Region 1
23
Region 2
33
Region 3
28
Region 4
29
jlegion 5
40
Region 6
14
Region 7
10
Region 8
25
Region 9
18
Region 10
20
Totals
269
Breakdown by Agency
Other Federal
USFWS 137
Other DOI	7
DOD	32
NOAA	10
USGS	4
USDA
Forest Service 1
DOE	1
NASA	1
193
State	54
Universities 3
Private	118
Breakdown by Region
Headquarters
29
Region 1
47
Region 2
66
Region 3
94
Region 4
62
Region 5
87
Region 6
45
Region 7
20
Region 8
66
Region 9
52
Region 10
68
Other (Canada)
1
Grand Total
637
r
Mailing List Additions
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26003.
Correction ~	New ~
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BTAG Forum
September 199 2

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RESOURCES
Book Selections
Recently announced reference
publications.
Peterle, T.J. 1991. Wildlife Toxi-
cology. Van Nostrand Reinhold,
New York, New York. Available
from: Van Nostrand Reinhold,
115 Fifth Avenue, New York,
New York 10003. 322 pp.
Wildlife Toxicology is an excel-
lent source of background informa-
tion on the potential effects of toxic
substances on wildlife species and
the many factors influencing those
effects. The author addresses basic
principles of environmental toxicol-
ogy through the use of examples
that examine key chemicals and
their environmental implications.
The text begins with helpful
background information on the
laws, regulations, and agencies that
deal with the issues of toxic sub-
stances in the environment. In par-
ticular, testing and regulation
programs under TSCA, CERCLA,
FIFRA, and NEPA are discussed.
Subsequent chapters cover the main
issues of the book: common con-
taminants and their chemical char-
acteristics, routes of transport, and
effects on organisms.
General characteristics of the el-
ements, chemicals, and compounds
found in environmental pollutants
are discussed, including historical
use, toxicity, solubility, and, in some
cases, LD50 values for several test
animals. Attention also is given to
potential fate and transport mecha-
nisms, persistence, breakdown, and
metabolism of contaminants.
Specific information is provided
on exposure scenarios and the meta-
bolic processes for different organ-
isms when exposed to toxic
substances. Scenarios encompass
many aspects of exposure includ-
ing routes of intake; storage sites
and target organs; excretion and me-
tabolism; influence of species, sex,
and age; effects of synergism and
antagonism; food chain effects such
as bioaccumulation, biomagni-
fication, and bioconcentration; and
reproductive, behavioral, and physi-
ological responses.
The author also addresses sam-
pling and monitoring strategies for
specific chemicals, media, and or-
ganisms. Included are important
concerns which should be taken into
account in different situations where
sampling and testing is required,
such as lethal vs. chronic exposures,
laboratory vs. field testing, and how
to select test organisms.
The book concludes with a dis-
cussion of effects on ecosystems
and a chapter devoted to classic ex-
amples of contamination: DDT,
PCB, PBB, and mercury. Historical
use, regulations, and effects on wild-
life area included for each chemical.
Wildlife Toxicology is not a
source of reference data for use in
specific ecological assessments.
However, the author's coherent and
comprehensive synthesis of re-
search performed in the field of
wildlife toxicology covers many is-
sues of critical importance to eco-
logical risk assessment.
* * *
McCarthy, J.F., and L.R. Shugai
(eds.). 1990. Biomarkers of En-
vironmental Contamination.
Lewis Publishers, Inc.," Boca
Raton, FL. Available from: CRC
Press, Inc., 2000 Corporate Blvd.,
N.W., Boca Raton, FL 33431.
457 pp.
Biomarkers of Environmental
Contamination provides a detailed
synthesis of the most current ap-
proaches to biological monitoring
of environmental contamination.
The text comprises specific ex-
amples of the use of biomarkers as
indicators of exposure or as a means
to predict adverse consequences of
exposure.
Chapter topics include anatomi-
cal and cytological endpoints,
detoxification, adaptive and immu-
nological responses, and genotoxic
responses. Of greatest applicability
to the issue of environmental risk
assessment, the text concludes with
a series of chapters pertaining to
the application of biomarkers in
field evaluation. This last section
presents research addressing both
specific and general aspects of the
use of biomarkers in environmental
risk assessment. A chapter by W.R.
Lower and R.J. Kendall explores
the use of sentinel species and sen-
tinel bioassays in assessing envi-
ronmental risk under a variety of
circumstances. Other chapters
evaluate biomarkers used to assess
the health of fish populations, or
the effects of exposure of marine
organisms to contaminant stress. In
addition, a brief chapter by Glenn
W. Suter II examines more genera
issues involved in the use of
biomarkers in ecological risk
assessment.
September 1992
8
BTAG Forum

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RESOURCES
In the final chapter, J.F.
McCarthy discusses the editor's
proposal for the development of a
biomarker-based environmental
monitoring program. McCarthy
emphasizes the need for prelimi-
nary research to generate a data-
base to validate biomarkers and
expand current scientific under-
standing such that biomarker re-
sponses can be interpreted to their
full extent.
Through the compilation of re-
search from many specialists from
a wide range of technical fields, the
editors present a comprehensive
evaluation of the use of biomarkers
in assessing and predicting the eco-
logical and health risks of environ-
mental contamination. In many
cases the examples provided are too
pecific to be directly applicable in
particular assessments; however, the
book is a useful resource to risk
assessors in that it imparts an aware-
ness of the wide array of possibili-
ties and applications involved in the
use of biomarkers.
Articles
The following titles were found
in recent issues of Current Advances
in Ecological and Environmental
Science.
Aquatic Toxicology
Thompson, P.A. and P. Couture.
1991. Short-term and long-term
changes in growth and biochemi-
cal composition of Selenastrum
capricornutum populations ex-
posed to cadmium. 21(2-4): 135-
1144.
Winner, R.W. and H.A. Owen.
1991. Toxicity of copper to
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
(Chlorophyceae) and Cerio-
daphnia dubia (Crustacea) in re-
lation to changes in water
chemistry of a freshwater pond.
21(3-4)157-170.
Moore, D.W., T.M. Dillon, and B.C.
Suedel. 1991. Chronic toxicity
of tributyltin to the marine poly-
chaete worm, Neanthes arena-
ceodentata. 21 (3-4): 181 -198.
Walker, M.K. and R.E. Peterson.
1991. Potencies of polychlori-
nated dibenzo-para-dioxin,
dibenzofuran, and biphenyl con-
geners, relative to 2,3,7,8-
tetrachlorodibenzo-para dioxin,
for producing early life stage
mortality in rainbow trout
(Oncorhynchus my kiss). 21(3-
4):219-238.
Diamond, J.M., E.L. Winchester,
D.G. Mackler, W. J. Rasnake,
J.K. Fanelli, and D. Gruber. 1992.
Toxicity of cobalt to freshwater
indicator species as a function of
water hardness. 22(3): 163-180.
Hall, L.W., M.C. Ziegenfuss, S.J.
Bushong, J. A. Sullivan, and M. A.
Unger. 1992. In situ striped bass
(Morone saxatilis) contaminant
and water quality studies in the
Potomac River and Upper Chesa-
peake Bay in 1989.22(3): 181-222.
Environmental Pollution
Fitzpatrick, L.C., R. Sassani, B.J.
Venabies, and A.J. Goven. 1992.
Comparative toxicity of poly-
chlorinated biphenyls to earth-
worms Eisenia foetida and
Lumbricus terrestris. 77(l):65-69.
Environmental Toxicology
and Chemistry
Memmer, M.J., D.P. Middaugh, and
V. Comparetta. 1992. Compara-
tive acute sensitivity of larval
topsmelt Atherinops affinis, and
inland silverside, Menidia
beryllina, to 11 chemicals.
ll(3):401-408.
Diamond, J.M.. E.L. Winchester,
D.G. Mackler, and D. Gruber.
1992. Use of the mayfly
Stenonema modestum (Hepta-
geniidae) in subacute toxicity as-
sessments. 11(3):415-425.
Stewart, A.J., G.J. Haynes, and M.I.
Martinez. 1992. Fate and biologi-
cal effects of contaminated veg-
etation in a Tennessee stream.
11(5):653-664.
Nebeker, A.V., W.L. Griffis, T.W.
Stutzman, G.S. Schuytema, L.A.
Carey, and S.M. Scherer. 1992.
Effects of aqueous and dietary
exposure of dieldrin on survival,
growth, and bioconcentration in
mallard ducklings. ll(5):687-699.
Water Environment
Resources
Arbuckle, W.B., and J.E.
Alleman. 1992. Effluent toxicity
testing using nitrifers and Microtox.
64(3):263-267.
BTAG Forum
9
September 1992

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BTAG Forum Questionnaire
In order to better serve our readership, we need to know what you would like to see in upcoming issues of the
Forum. The Forum is intended to generate dialogue among BTAG members, support contractors, and others
involved in the ecological assessment process. Without your input, the Forum will be limited in serving its
intended purpose. Please take a moment to answer the following questions.
1.	What feature (s) do you find the most useful? (Circle all that apply)
a)	News from the Regions	e)	Book Reviews
b)	News from ORD	f)	Listing of articles from Current Contents
c)	Feature articles	g)	BTAG Coordinator/Contact Listing
d)	Announcements of upcoming workshops/seminars
2.	What improvement(s) could be made to existing features?
3. What features would you like to see added in future issues?
4. What features would you prefer to see discontinued?
5. Do you subscribe to any publications with articles that may warrant re-printing or summarizing in the Fo-
rum? Please provide the name of the publication and a brief description of its content.
6. List any recent books (title, author, publisher, year of publication) that you would like to see reviewed.
OPTIONAL — Name:	Phone:
Please return questionnaire to: Susan S. Roddy, USEPA Region 6, First Interstate Tower,
1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX, 75202-2733.
September 1992
10
BTAG Forum

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USEPA Regional BTAG Coordinators/Contacts
EPA HEADQUARTERS
Ruth Bleyler
Toxics Integration Branch (OS-230)
OERR/HSED
USEPA
Washington, DC 20460
(703) 603-8816
(703) 603-9104 FAX
David Charters
ERT
USEPA (MS-101)
2890 Woodbridge Ave., BIdg. 18
Edison, NJ 08837-3679
(908) 906-6826
(908) 906-6724 FAX
Steve Ells
Elaine Suriano
~)WPE
JSEPA (OS-510)
401 M Street SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 260-9803
(202) 260-3106 FAX
Joseph Tieger
USEPA (OS-510W)
401 M Street SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 308-2668
REGION 1
Susan Svirsky
Waste Management Division
USEPA Region 1 (HSS-CAN7)
JFK Federal Building
Boston, MA 02203
(617) 573-9649
617) 573-9662 FAX
REGION 2
Sharri Stevens
Surveillance Monitoring Branch
USEPA Region 2 (MS-220)
Woodbridge Avenue
Raritan Depot Building 209
Edison, NJ 08837
(908) 906-6994
(908) 321-6616 FAX
REGION 6
Jon Rauscher
Susan Swenson Roddy
USEPA Region 6 (6H-SR)
First Interstate Tower
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
(214) 655-8513
(214) 655-6762 FAX
REGION 3
Robert Davis
Technical Support Section
USEPA Region 3 (3HW13)
841 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 597-3155
(215) 597-9890 FAX
REGION 4
Lynn Wellman
WSMD/HERAS
USEPA Region 4
345 Courtland Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30365
(404) 347-1586
(404) 347-0076 FAX
REGION 5
Eileen Helmer
USEPA Region 5 (5HSM-TUB7)
230 South Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60604-1602
(312) 886-4828
(312) 886-7160 FAX
REGION 7
Bob Koke
SPFD-REML
USEPA Region 7
726 Minnesota Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 551-7468
(913) 551-7063 FAX
REGION 8
Gerry Henningsen
USEPA Region 8
Denver Place, Suite 500
999 18th Street
Denver, CO 80202-2405
(303) 294-7656
(303) 293-1230 FAX
REGION 9
Doug Steele
USEPA Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 744-2309
(415) 744-1916 FAX
REGION 10
Bruce Duncan
USEPA Region 10 (ES-098)
1200 6th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
(206)553-8086
(206) 553-0119 FAX
BTAG Forum
11
September 1992

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EPA Database Compilation Moves Ahead
An EPA pilot for the ECOTOX
database is currently underway as a
collaborative effort among ORD,
Superfund, RCRA and the Office
of Water. ECOTOX, the result of a
compilation of ERL's AQUIRE,
and ORD's PHYTOTOX and
TERRE-TOX databases, is de-
signed to increase the efficiency
with which toxicity testing data are
obtained. By formatting the three
databases into a single compatible
system, ECOTOX allows access to
these databases simultaneously.
Data searches can include all three
databases or, depending on its fo-
cus, be limited to a single database.
Upon completion, the ECOTOX
pilot will be reviewed by senior
management for consideration of
full-scale implementation. For ad-
ditional information on the status
of ECOTOX, please contact Ron
Landy, USEPA Office of Research
and Development, Office of Tech-
nology Transfer and
Regulatory Support,
(202) 260-7667. ~
&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency (OS-230)
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300
First-Class Mail
Postage and Fees Paid
EPA
Permit No. G-35
Printed on
(h& recycled paper
September 1992

BTAG Forum

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