United States Prevention, Pesticides EPA 712-C-96-115
Environmental Protection and Toxic Substances April 1996
Agency (7101)
&EPA Ecological Effects Test
Guidelines
OPPTS 850.1025
Oyster Acute Topxicity
Test (Shell Deposition)
'Public Draft"
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INTRODUCTION
This guideline is one of a series of test guidelines that have been
developed by the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances,
United States Environmental Protection Agency for use in the testing of
pesticides and toxic substances, and the development of test data that must
be submitted to the Agency for review under Federal regulations.
The Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances (OPPTS)
has developed this guideline through a process of harmonization that
blended the testing guidance and requirements that existed in the Office
of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) and appeared in Title 40,
Chapter I, Subchapter R of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), the
Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) which appeared in publications of the
National Technical Information Service (NTIS) and the guidelines pub-
lished by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD).
The purpose of harmonizing these guidelines into a single set of
OPPTS guidelines is to minimize variations among the testing procedures
that must be performed to meet the data requirements of the U. S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency under the Toxic Substances Control Act (15
U.S.C. 2601) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act
(7U.S.C. I36,etseq.).
Public Draft Access Information: This draft guideline is part of a
series of related harmonized guidelines that need to be considered as a
unit. For copies: These guidelines are available electronically from the
EPA Public Access Gopher (gopher.epa.gov) under the heading "Environ-
mental Test Methods and Guidelines" or in paper by contacting the OPP
Public Docket at (703) 305-5805 or by e-mail:
guidelines@epamail.epa.gov.
To Submit Comments: Interested persons are invited to submit com-
ments. By mail: Public Docket and Freedom of Information Section, Office
of Pesticide Programs, Field Operations Division (7506C), Environmental
Protection Agency, 401 M St. SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person:
bring to: Rm. 1132, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Ar-
lington, VA. Comments may also be submitted electronically by sending
electronic mail (e-mail) to: guidelines@epamail.epa.gov.
Final Guideline Release: This guideline is available from the U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402 on The Federal Bul-
letin Board. By modem dial 202-512-1387, telnet and ftp:
fedbbs.access.gpo.gov (IP 162.140.64.19), or call 202-512-0135 for disks
or paper copies. This guideline is also available electronically in ASCII
and PDF (portable document format) from the EPA Public Access Gopher
(gopher.epa.gov) under the heading "Environmental Test Methods and
Guidelines."
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OPPTS 850.1025 Oyster acute toxicity test (shell deposition).
(a) Scope—(1) Applicability. This guideline is intended to meet test-
ing requirements of both the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 136, et seq.) and the Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA) (15 U.S.C. 2601).
(2) Background. The source material used in developing this har-
monized OPPTS test guideline are 40 CFR 797.1800 Oyster Acute Tox-
icity Test and OPP 72-3 Acute Toxicity Test for Estuarine and Marine
Organisms (Pesticide Assessment Guidelines, Subdivision E—Hazard
Evaluation; Wildlife and Aquatic Organisms) EPA report 540/09-82-024,
1982.
(b) Purpose. This guideline prescribes tests to be used to develop
data on the acute toxicity of chemical substances and mixtures ("chemi-
cals") to Eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin). The Environ-
mental Protection Agency will use data from these tests in assessing the
hazard of a chemical to the environment.
(c) Definitions. The definitions in section 3 of the Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA) and the definitions in 40 CFR Part 792—Good Lab-
oratory Practice Standards apply to this test guideline. The following defi-
nitions also apply to this test guideline.
Acute toxicity is the discernible adverse effects induced in an orga-
nism within a short period of time (days) of exposure to a chemical. For
aquatic animals this usually refers to continuous exposure to the chemical
in water for a period of up to 4 days. The effects (lethal or sublethal)
occurring may usually be observed within the period of exposure with
aquatic organisms. In this test guideline, shell deposition is used as the
measure of toxicity.
EC50 is that experimentally derived concentration of a chemical in
water that is calculated to induce shell deposition 50 percent less than
that of the controls in a test batch of organisms during continuous exposure
within a particular exposure period which should be stated.
Shell deposition is the measured length of shell growth that occurs
between the time the shell is ground at test initiation and test termination
96 h later.
Umbo means the narrow end (apex) of the oyster shell.
Valve height means the greatest linear dimension of the oyster as
measured from the umbo to the ventral edge of the valves (the farthest
distance from the umbo).
(d) Test procedures—(1) Summary of the test, (i) The water solu-
bility and the vapor pressure of the test chemical should be known. Prior
to testing, the structural formula of the test chemical, its purity, stability
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in water and light, w-octanol/water partition coefficient, and pKa values
should be known prior to testing. The results of a biodegradability test
and the method of analysis for the quantification of the chemical in water
should also be known.
(ii) For chemicals with limited solubility under the test conditions,
it may not be possible to determine an EC50. If it is observed that the
stability or homogeneity of the test chemical cannot be maintained, then
care should be taken in the interpretation of the results and a note made
that these results may not be reproducible.
(iii) Test chambers are filled with appropriate volumes of dilution
water. The flow of dilution water through each chamber is adjusted to
the rate desired. The test chemical is introduced into each test chamber
and the flow-rate adjusted to establish and maintain the desired concentra-
tion in each test chamber. Test oysters, which have been acclimated and
prepared by grinding away a portion of the shell periphery, are randomly
introduced into the test and control chambers. Oysters in the test and con-
trol chambers are observed daily during the test for evidence of feeding
or unusual conditions, such as shell gaping, excessive mucus production
or formation of fungal growths in the test chambers. The observations are
recorded and dead oysters removed. At the end of 96 h the increments
of new shell growth are measured in all oysters. The concentration-re-
sponse curve and EC50 value for the test chemical are developed from
these data.
(2) Range-finding test. A range-finding test should be conducted to
establish test chemical concentrations for the definitive test. The test is
conducted in the same way as the definitive test except a widely spaced
chemical concentration series (i.e. log-interval) is used.
(3) Definitive test, (i) Oysters which meet condition criteria (age,
size, reproductive status, health) and which have been acclimated to test
conditions should have approximately 3 to 5 mm of the shell periphery,
at the rounded (ventral) end, ground away with a small electric disc grinder
or other appropriate device, taking care to remove the shell rim uniformly
to produce a smooth, rounded, blunt profile. The oyster's valves should
be held together tightly during grinding to avoid vibrating the shell and
injuring the adductor muscle. Oysters from which so much of the shell
rim has been removed that an opening into the shell cavity is visible should
not be used.
(ii) It is desirable to have shell growth values for the low and high
concentrations relatively close to, but different from, 0 and 100 percent.
Therefore, the range of concentrations to which the oysters are exposed
should be such that in 96 h relative to the controls, very little shell growth
occurs in oysters exposed to the highest concentration and shell growth
is slightly less than controls at the lowest concentration. Oysters in the
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remaining concentrations should have increments of shell growth such that
the concentration producing 50 percent shell growth relative to the growth
is bracketed with at least one concentration above and one below it.
(iii) The test should be carried out without adjustment of pH unless
there is evidence of marked change in the pH of the solution. In this case,
it is advised that the test be repeated with pH adjustment to that of the
dilution water and the results reported.
(iv) The test begins when at least 20 prepared oysters are placed in
each of the test chambers containing the appropriate concentrations of test
substance and controls. The steady-state flows and test chemical concentra-
tions should be documented. At least five test chemical concentrations
should be used. The dilution factor between concentrations should not ex-
ceed 1.8.
(v) Test oysters should be impartially distributed among test chambers
in such a manner that test results show no significant bias from the dis-
tributions. The oysters should be spread out equidistantly from one another
so that the entire test chamber is used. The oysters should also be placed
with the left (cupped) valve down and the open, unhinged ends all oriented
in the same direction facing the incoming flow of test solution.
(vi) The oysters are inspected at least after 24, 48, 72, and 96 h.
Oysters are considered dead if touching of the gaping shell produces no
reaction. Dead oysters are removed when observed and mortalities are re-
corded. Observations at 3 h and 6 h are also desirable.
(vii) Shell growth is the primary criterion used in this test guideline
to evaluate the toxicity of the test chemical. Shell growth increments in
all oysters should be measured after 96-h exposure. Record the length
of the longest "finger" of new shell growth to the nearest 0.1 mm. Oysters
should be handled very gently at this stage to prevent damage to the new
shell growth.
(viii) Records should be kept of visible abnormalities such as loss
of feeding activity (failure to deposit feces), excessive mucus production
(stringy material floating suspended from oysters), spawning, or appear-
ance of shell (closure or gaping).
(ix) The criteria for a valid definitive test are:
(A) The mortality in the controls should not exceed 10 percent at
the end of the test.
(B) The dissolved oxygen concentration should be at least 60 percent
of air saturation throughout the test.
(C) If evidence of spawning is observed, the test should be repeated.
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(D) There should be evidence that the concentration of the substance
being tested has been satisfactorily maintained over the test period. The
concentration of the test substance should be measured:
(7) In each chamber at time 0-h.
(2) In each chamber at 96-h; and
In at least one appropriate chamber whenever a malfunction is
detected in any part of the test chemical delivery system.
(E) Dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity, and pH measurements
should be made at the beginning and end of the test in each chamber.
(F) A minimum of 2 mm of new shell growth should be observed
in control oysters (solvent and dilution water).
(4) Test results, (i) At the end of the test, appropriate statistical anal-
ysis should be conducted on the oyster shell deposition test data. The
probit transformation should then be applied to the response variable and
then regressed, using least squares regression, on dose or log-dose. An
F Test for linearity should be conducted to determine whether the chosen
regression technique adequately describes the experimental data.
(ii) Calculate the ratio of the mean shell growth for each group of
test oysters (exposed to each of the test chemical concentrations) to the
mean shell growth of the group of control oysters. From these data the
concentration-response curve is drawn and an EC50 along with the
95 percent confidence limits on the value are determined from the curves.
The mean measured concentration of test chemical should be used to cal-
culate the EC50 and to plot the concentration-response curve.
(e) Test conditions — (1) Test species — (i) Selection. (A) The Eastern
oyster, Crassostrea virginica, should be used as the test organism.
(B) Oysters used in the same test should be 30 to 50 mm in valve
height and should be as similar in age and/or size as possible to reduce
variability. The standard deviation of the valve height should be less than
20 percent of the mean.
(C) Oysters used in the same test should be from the same source
and from the same holding and acclimation tanks.
(D) Oysters should be in a prespawn condition of gonadal develop-
ment prior to and during the test as determined by direct or histological
observation of the gonadal tissue for the presence of gametes.
(ii) Acquisition. Oysters may be cultured in the laboratory, purchased
from culture facilities or commercial harvesters, or collected from a natural
population in an unpolluted area free from epizootic disease.
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(iii) Acclimation. (A) Oysters should be attended to immediately
upon arrival. Oyster shells should be brushed clean of fouling organisms
and the transfer of the oysters to the holding water should be gradual to
reduce stress caused by differences in water quality characteristics and
temperature. Oysters should be held for at least 12 to 15 days before test-
ing. All oysters should be maintained in dilution water at the test tempera-
ture for at least 2 days before they are used.
(B) During holding, the oysters should not be crowded, and the dis-
solved oxygen concentration should be above 60 percent saturation. The
temperature of the holding water should be the same as that used for test-
ing. Holding tanks should be kept clean and free of debris. Cultured algae
may be added to dilution water sparingly, as necessary to support life and
growth and such that test results are not affected as confirmed by previous
testing.
(C) Oysters should be handled as little as possible. When handling
is necessary, it should be done as gently, carefully, and quickly as possible.
(D) A batch of oysters is acceptable for testing if the percentage mor-
tality over the 7-day period prior to testing is less than 5 percent. If the
mortality is between 5 and 10 percent, acclimation should continue for
7 additional days. If the mortality is greater than 10 percent, the entire
batch of oysters should be rejected. Oysters which appear diseased or oth-
erwise stressed or which have cracked, chipped, bored, or gaping shells
should not be used. Oysters infested with mudworms (Polydora sp.) or
boring sponges (Cilona cellata) should not be used.
(2) Test facilities—(i) Apparatus. (A) In addition to normal labora-
tory equipment, an oxygen meter, equipment for delivering the test chemi-
cal, adequate apparatus for temperature control, and test tanks made of
chemically inert material are needed.
(B) Constant conditions in the test facilities should be maintained as
much as possible throughout the test. The preparation and storage of the
test material, the holding of the oysters and all operations and tests should
be carried out in an environment free from harmful concentrations of dust,
vapors and gases and in such a way as to avoid cross-contamination. Any
disturbances that may change the behavior of the oysters should be avoid-
ed.
(ii) Dilution water. A constant supply of good quality unfiltered sea-
water should be available throughout the holding, acclimation, and testing
periods. Natural seawater is recommended, although artificial seawater
with food added may be used. In either case, to ensure each oyster is
provided equal amounts of food, the water should come from a thoroughly
mixed common source and should be delivered at a flowrate of at least
1 and preferably 5 L/h per oyster. The flowrate should be ±10 percent
of the nominal flow. A dilution water is acceptable if oysters will survive
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and grow normally for 14 days without exhibiting signs of stress; i.e. ex-
cessive mucus production (stringy material floating suspended from oys-
ters), lack of feeding, shell gaping, poor shell closing in response to prod-
ding, or excessive mortality. The dilution water should have a salinity in
excess of 12 ppt, and should be similar to that in the environment from
which the test oysters originated. A natural seawater should have a weekly
range in salinity of less than 10 ppt and a monthly range in pH of less
than 0.8 unit. Artificial seawater salinity should not vary more than 2 ppt
nor more than 0.5 pH unit. Oysters should be tested in dilution water from
the same origin.
(3) Test parameters—(i) Carriers. Stock solutions of substances of
low aqueous solubility may be prepared by ultrasonic dispersion or, if nec-
essary, by use of organic solvents, emulsifiers or dispersants of low tox-
icity to oysters. When such carriers are used the control oysters should
be exposed to the same concentration of the carrier as that used in the
highest concentration of the test substance. The concentration of such car-
riers should not exceed 0.1 mL/L.
(ii) Dissolved oxygen. The dissolved oxygen concentrations should
be at least 60 percent of the saturation value and should be recorded daily.
(iii) Loading. The loading rate should not crowd oysters and should
permit adequate circulation of water while avoiding physical agitation of
oysters by water current.
(iv) Temperature. The test temperature should be 20 °C. Temporary
fluctuations (less than 8 h) within ±5 °C are permissible. Temperature
should be recorded continuously.
(v) pH. The pH should be measured at the beginning and end of
the test in each test chamber.
(f) Reporting. In addition to the reporting requirements as specified
under EPA Good Laboratory Practice Standards, 40 CFR part 792, subpart
J, the following specific information should be reported:
(1) The source of the dilution water, the mean, standard deviation
and range of the salinity, pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen during
the test period.
(2) A description of the test procedures used (e.g. the flow-through
system, test chambers, chemical delivery system, aeration, etc.).
(3) Detailed information about the oysters used, including the age
and/or size (i.e. height), source, history, method of confirmation of
prespawn condition, acclimation procedures, and food used.
(4) The number of organisms tested, the loading rate, and the
flowrate.
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(5) The methods of preparation of stock and test solutions, and the
test chemical concentrations used.
(6) The number of dead and live test organisms, the percentage of
organisms that died, and the number that showed any abnormal effects
in the control and in each test chamber at each observation period.
(7) The 96-h shell growth measurements of each oyster; the mean,
standard deviation and range of the measured shell growth at 96 h of oys-
ters in each concentration of test substance and control.
(8) The calculated 96-h EC50 and its 95 percent confidence limits
and the statistical methods used to calculate these values.
(9) When observed, the 96-h observed no-effect concentration (the
highest concentration tested at which there were no mortalities, abnormal
behavioral or physiological effects and at which shell growth did not differ
from controls).
(10) A graph of the concentration-response curve based on the
96-h chemical concentration and shell growth measurements upon which
the EC50 was calculated.
(11) Methods and data records of all chemical analyses of water qual-
ity parameters and test substance concentrations, including method valida-
tions and reagent blanks.
(12) Any incidents in the course of the test which might have influ-
enced the results.
(13) A statement that the test was carried out in agreement with the
prescriptions of the test guideline given above (otherwise a description
of any deviations occurring).
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