ECOTOX 5.5 User Guide
EPA/600/R-22/217
ECOTOX
ECOTOXicology Knowledgebase System
User Guide - Version 5.5
Prepared by: Jennifer H. Olker
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Office of Research and Development (ORD)
Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE)
Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division (GLTED) Duluth, Minnesota
In Conjunction with:
General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), Duluth, Minnesota
Contract CIO-SP3, HHSN316201200013W
Task Order: EP-G16H-01256, SMAVCS3
TDD 2-8 ECOTOX Application Development and Support
August 2022
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ECOTOX 5.5 User Guide
DISCLAIMER
ECOTOX attempts to be comprehensive, but the searches may not locate all relevant
literature to a research program. In addition, the time lag from conducting a literature
search, acquiring the publication, and extracting the data into the ECOTOX
Knowledgebase can be up to, or exceed, six months. For this reason, it is suggested
that users conduct searches of the most recent publication year to ensure data may
be captured which has not been entered in to the ECOTOX Knowledgebase or met
the criteria for inclusion.
Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade
name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply
its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the U. S. government.
Researchers or managers using ECOTOX for analyses or summary projects
should consult the original scientific paper to ensure an understanding of the
context of the data retrieved from ECOTOX.
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ECOTOX 5.5 User Guide
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 1
GETTING STARTED 2
Access 2
Navigating within ECOTOX 2
Home 2
Search 3
Explore 3
OVERVIEW OF SEARCH OPTIONS FOR DATA IN ECOTOX 5
Search Strategy Basics 5
Overview of Search and Explore Pages 6
Moving Within Pages and Target Menu 6
Selection Box and Types 6
Key Functions 6
Options for Searching in ECOTOX 7
ECOTOX DATA SEARCHES 11
USING 'SEARCH' TO LOCATE DATA 11
Chemical Searches 11
Chemical Entry 12
Predefined Chemical Groups 12
Search Tips for Chemicals 12
Search by Effect Measurements 13
Search by Endpoints 14
Search by Taxonomy 14
Taxonomic Entry 15
Predefined Species Groups 15
Search Tips for Taxonomic Searches 16
Search by Test Conditions 17
Test Location 17
Exposure Media 17
Exposure Type 17
Control Type 17
Chemical Analysis 18
Duration 18
Search by Publication Options 19
Publication Year(s) 19
Author(s) 19
Reference Number 19
Independently Compiled Data 19
Recent Modifications and Additions 19
Output and Report Format Options 20
Display Fields 21
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USING 'EXPLORE' TO LOCATE DATA 21
Explore by Chemical 21
Predefined and Custom Chemical Groups 21
Refining/Filtering data using Query filters 23
Data Visualization Plots 23
Explore by Species 23
Predefined and Custom Species Groups 23
Refining/Filtering data using Query filters 25
Data Visualization Plots 25
Explore by Effects 25
Predefined and Custom Effects Groups 25
Refining/Filtering data using Query filters 27
Data Visualization Plots 27
Exporting Data in Explore 27
EXITING ECOTOX 28
APPENDIX A: ECOTOX SEARCH PLANNING FORM 29
Chemicals 29
Species 30
Test Results 30
Test Conditions 31
Publications 31
Report Output 32
APPENDIX B: PRACTICE SEARCHES 34
Example A 34
Example B 34
Example C 35
Example D 35
ADDITIONAL SEARCH and EXPLORE EXAMPLES 36
APPENDIX C: ECOTOX KNOWLEDGEBASE OVERVIEW 39
Data Sources 39
Quality Assurance 40
Test and Result Identification 40
Aquatic Data Elements 41
Terrestrial Data Elements 41
References 42
APPENDIX D: SPECIES AND CHEMICAL VERIFICATION 43
Species Verification 43
Predefined Special Interest Sources 44
Chemical Verification 45
APPENDIX E: ECOTOX DATA FIELD DESCRIPTIONS 46
Bibliographic Fields 46
Author 46
Reference Number 46
Title 46
Source 46
Publication Year 46
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Reference Citation 46
Chemical Fields 46
CAS Number 46
Chemical Name 46
Chemical DTXSID 46
Chemical Grade 46
Chemical Purity 47
Chemical Formulation 47
Chemical Comment 47
Chemical Radiolabel 47
Chemical Carrier 47
Species Fields 47
Species ECOTOX Number 47
Species Scientific Name 47
Species Common Name 47
Species NCBI TaxlD 47
Organism Source 47
Organism Lifestage 47
Organism Age 47
Gender 47
Organism Initial Weight 48
Organism Comment 48
Species Group 48
Species Taxonomic Information 48
Kingdom 48
Test Condition Fields 48
Media Type 48
Test Location 49
Study Duration 49
Exposure Duration 49
Exposure Type 50
Habitat 50
Chemical Analysis 50
Application Frequency 50
Study Type 50
Test Type 50
Test Method 50
Control 51
Number of Doses 51
Doses 51
Experimental Design 51
Exposure Sample Number 51
Ionic Fraction 51
Test Result Parameters 51
Test Number 52
Result (Record) Number 52
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Endpoint 52
Effect 52
Effect Measurement 53
Trend 53
Response Site 54
EE_Comment 54
Effect % (Effect Percent) 54
Statistical Level 54
Bioconcentration 54
Steady State 54
Concentration Type 54
Endpoint Assignment 54
Concentration/Dose 55
Result Sample Number 55
Observed Duration 55
Intake Rate 55
Result Percent (%) Dry/Wet Weight 56
Result Percent Lipid 56
Species Final Weight 56
Other Effects 56
Result Comment 56
General Comment 56
Water Chemistry Parameters (Aquatic only) 57
Outdoor Test Parameters (Field only) 58
Sub-Habitat Term/Description 58
Sub-Habitat Comment 58
Latitude/Longitude 58
Substrate Term/Description 58
Water Depth 58
Geographic Term 58
Geographic Location 58
Application Type 58
Application Rate 58
Chemical Half-Life 58
Application Date/Season 59
Terrestrial Only Parameters 59
Test Comment 59
Exposure Comment 59
Observed Response Mean/Min/Max 59
Soil Parameters (Terrestrial only) 60
Temperature 60
Soil Type 60
Soil Sand %, Soil Silt %, Soil Clay % 60
Soil pH 60
Media Organic Matter 60
Media Moisture 60
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Media Cation Exchange Capacity 60
Soil Dose Measured 60
APPENDIX F: INDEPENDENTLY COMPILED DATA FILES 61
APPENDIX G: COMMENT FIELD HEADER NAMES 65
Aquatic Comment Abbreviations 65
Terrestrial Comment Abbreviations 67
APPENDIX H: DELIMITED OUTPUT HEADER NAMES 70
Aquatic Report Output Fields 70
Terrestrial Delimited Report Output Fields 83
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INTRODUCTION
In the development and implementation for ecosystem management decisions there
is the need to establish scientifically credible risk assessments for chemical stressors.
Ecological assessments are required to characterize and diagnose the relative risk of
chemical pollutants and to predict future risk as a function of environmental
management options.
The U.S. EPA's ECOTOXicology Knowledgebase (ECOTOX) is a source for locating
single chemical toxicity data for aquatic life, terrestrial plants, and wildlife. ECOTOX was
created and is maintained by the Office of Research and Development's (ORD's) Duluth
Minnesota laboratory.
ECOTOX integrates toxicity data derived predominantly from the peer-reviewed
literature, for aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Not all data published in the peer
reviewed ecotoxicology literature are included in ECOTOX. Users are encouraged to
refer to the Limitations and Minimum Data Requirements section of this document to
understand test results that are not considered for inclusion in the database.
To learn more about the ECOTOX process of identifying and curating ecotoxicity data,
or to cite ECOTOX in your publications, please refer to:
Olker, J. H., Elonen, C. M., Pilli, A., Anderson, A., Kinziger, B., Erickson, S.,
Skopinski, M., Pomplun, A., LaLone, C. A., Russom, C. L., & Hoff, D. (2022). The
ECOTOXicology Knowledgebase: A Curated Database of Ecologically Relevant
Toxicity Tests to Support Environmental Research and Risk
Assessment. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 41 (6): 1520-1539.
https ://doi. org/10.1002/etc. 5324
Researchers or managers using ECOTOX for analyses or summary projects
should consult the original scientific paper to ensure an understanding of the
context of the data retrieved from ECOTOX.
For more information on the ECOTOX Knowledgebase or
to report anything that you feel may be in error:
ECOTOX Support
Office of Research and Development (ORD)
Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE)
Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division (GLTED)
6201 Congdon Boulevard
Duluth, Minnesota 55804
Telephone: 218-529-5225
Fax: 218-529-5003
E-mail: ecotox.support@epa.gov
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GETTING STARTED
Access
To access the ECOTOX website, users need a computer equipped with a JavaScript
enabled browser and internet connectivity. Start browser software and type in the
Internet address http://www.epa.gov/ecotox/ to be connected to the ECOTOX Home
page.
ECOTOX has the following browser limitations:
• The query pages require that browser support JavaScript and this feature must be
activated in browser preferences.
• ECOTOX Version 5 requires a modern browser that supports HTML5. It has been tested in
Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer. Chrome is the recommended browser
• After data or security updates there are occasionally issues with ECOTOX displaying; it is
recommended to clear your browsing data, cache, or history if you experience issues.
• If a popup blocker program is activated, ECOTOX Reports, Help and Browse
features will not display. Please add the ECOTOX website to popup browser
exception list to ensure full usability.
Navigating within ECOTOX
Home
The Home page provides a general overview of the ECOTOX Knowledgebase with links
to the other pages within the application ('Search', 'Explore', and 'Help') and links to
more information for statistics and other databases. These selections will open the
requested information. To avoid losing your current 'Explore' and 'Search' selections,
right click the link and open tab in a new window.
About ECOTOX: This section of the website provides a general overview of the
ECOTOX Knowledgebase, including the history of the system's development, and
Help Center linkages which describes the ECOTOX website contents and navigational
resources available. The information described below can be accessed by clicking
"Learn More".
The Help center resources are listed in one of four web pages:
Starting Out - Information on how to begin navigating and searching the ECOTOX
website. This page also provides links to the limitations associated with the
ECOTOX Knowledgebase, Recent additions, Navigational help, Frequent
questions, and PDF versions of the ECOTOX User Guide (this document), and the
"ECOTOX Terms Appendix", which provides detailed information regarding
ECOTOX controlled vocabularies (terms) used in the aquatic and terrestrial reports.
How do I... - Provides information on how to perform searches, select
'Search' parameters and Report format, and Navigate or retrieve outputs in
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ECOTOX.
What is... - Provides Data Field Definitions and Terms for each field available within
ECOTOX searches and output. It also provides an overview on data sources,
including sources used by ECOTOX staff for Species and Chemical verification. For
a brief overview of data extraction processes used within ECOTOX see Appendix C.
More Resources - Includes a glossary of terms as well as links to related
databases and websites. Providing these links does not imply endorsement
by the U.S. EPA.
This printable User Guide is available in PDF (Portable Document Format) under the
ECOTOX Documentation section as "ECOTOX User Guide".
Search
The ECOTOX Knowledgebase 'Search' feature provides a direct method to retrieve
data that can be refined by limiting the search parameters, e.g. Chemicals, Effects,
Endpoints or Species. Users can refine or filter selections before continuing a search.
Once search options have been selected or updated, users can view the report in the
browser, change the data fields, or export the report in an Excel or delimited format.
'Search' utilizes all available search and output features.
Explore
The ECOTOX Knowledgebase 'Explore' feature is an interactive way to initiate queries
by Chemicals, Species, or Effects via Groups. Once a Group is selected (or Custom
Group created) for exploration, query filters will be displayed to refine data via drop
down boxes.
During the exploration there are also options to examine the data visually via plotting
functions. Once data exploration is complete, users can select report output options
or Send Query Filters from 'Explore' to ECOTOX 'Search' for further refinement.
Note: ECOTOX Limitations: The following restrictions are placed on data
included in the ECOTOX Knowledgebase. Data not satisfying these
requirements are excluded from the ECOTOX Knowledgebase.
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Minimum Data Requirements
Criteria
Requirement/Inclusions
Limitations/Exclusions
Chemical
Single chemicals relevant to
environmental exposure
Verifiable Chemical Abstract
Services (CAS) number
Mixtures (petroleum fuels,
tank mix, effluent)
Air pollution (CO2 and ozone)
Plastics and microplastics
Clay and diatomaceous earth
products
Biological toxicants (e.g.,
algal species with registered
CAS numbers)
Species
Ecologically relevant
species
Priority species are wild (test
results for terrestrial domestic and
laboratory species are used to fill
data gaps when needed)
Organism taxonomic information
verifiable against standard
taxonomic sources
Human, monkey,
bacteria, viral and yeast
Effect/
Response
Biological adverse or neutral
response of an acceptable
organism to a chemical
toxicant.
Adverse effects are priority
(beneficial or nutritional effects
are lower priority)
Exposure
Amount
(Concentration
/ Dose)
Concurrent environmental
chemical concentration or dose
reported as concentration, dose,
or application rate.
Sediment studies which have a
reported water concentration
Inhalation dose route
(including intratracheal
instillation)
Lead shot
Sediment only concentration
Concentration only reported
as a log value
Exposure
Duration
Known duration from the time of
initial exposure to the time of
measurement for a biological
effect
Publication /Data
Format
Primary data source
Full text in English (some Non-
English papers with an English
abstract have data extracted)
Reviews
Full text foreign language
Abstract only format
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ECOTOX system limitations:
• In 'Explore' there is a maximum of 3,000 data records that can be viewed but all
records can be retrieved through multiple exports of tabular results.
• In 'Search', exports are limited to 10,000 search results. For search results with 5,000 records
or greater, exporting as a 'Delimited' file is recommended. Searches that exceed these
limitations can be split by selecting specific Publication Years, Species, Chemicals, or Effects
to create multiple smaller export files. For instance, if you want specific search parameters,
but the number of records retrieved exceeds the limitations for viewing and exporting, you
may want to add a filter for Publication years. This strategy allows to you to output your
search in sections, export several files, and then collate data records together for a complete
report. You will need to select ranges of publications years (e.g., 1990-2000) that fits within
the record limits. Example: Intersect search with publication years 1915-1980, then years
1981-1996, then years 1997-2017.
• If popup blocker program is used, ECOTOX report exports may not display. Please
add the ECOTOX website to popup browser exception list to ensure full usability.
Data Downloads: Users can download delimited ASCII files of the entire database into
windows.exe or .zip files. This does not include any software and will require combining
various files together to view entire data records. The data are divided into two sections:
Aquatic and Terrestrial. Within these sections you will find data tables, field descriptions,
and graphical relations of the data structure.
OVERVIEW OF SEARCH OPTIONS FOR DATA IN ECOTOX
Database retrievals can be conducted using either 'Search' or 'Explore' options.
'Search' supports queries on Species, Chemicals, Effects, Endpoints, Test Conditions,
or by Publication Options. 'Search' includes all options under 'Explore' and enables
users to focus on additional criteria such as study site type (e.g., laboratory, field),
exposure media (e.g., freshwater, soil), route of chemical exposure (e.g., oral, diet),
and statistically derived endpoints (e.g., LD50, NOEL). 'Search' results can be
downloaded either as a Microsoft (MS) Excel spreadsheet or delimited file format as
.txt with pipe delimiter (|), which can be transferred into a database or spreadsheet.
Within the 'Search' page, the J) inside of a text entry box or output display field has
context-sensitive help or information that will display in a separate window if selected. If
'Help' is opened in a separate tab or window, users may navigate within the 'Help'
window without affecting the session in 'Search'.
Search Strategy Basics
The 'Search' or 'Explore' pages are each designed to search on all data, unless users
restrict the search by choosing specific search criteria (e.g., adding the check in the
checkbox, enter text in a text entry field). In 'Search', the first step is to select the
database of interest: Aquatic or Terrestrial. 'Explore' includes result records from both
Aquatic and Terrestrial unless the user deselects one or the other at the top of the
Query Filters. Searches may be performed at any time after specific search criteria
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have been selected. Users do not need to enter something in every 'Search' criteria
area.
The search logic includes two basic strategies: combination/union and intersection.
Within a 'Search' area (e.g., Chemicals), the search will combine all search selections.
Between each 'Search' area, the search will intersect selections (e.g., intersection
between chemical and taxonomic selections). Users may want to use the ECOTOX
Search Planner located in Appendix A to plan searches. Appendix B describes practice
searches to assist users in learning and using the ECOTOX system.
Before searching, users should read Appendix C to find out more about the
ECOTOX Knowledgebase and Appendix E for specific data field descriptions.
Overview of Search and Explore Pages
Moving Within Pages and Target Menu
Users may move within an ECOTOX output table by using the scroll bar located at
the right of computer screen; the output table has top and bottom scroll bars to move
left and right in the table.
Selection Box and Types
All search and report selection options will be displayed in a box using multiple
selection methods: radio button, checkbox, drop-down lists, typing in text (one entry
per line).
Green buttons are used for general changes when new items are applied. Red buttons
are used for removing or resetting information. Blue buttons are used for general
functionality and switching among sections in ECOTOX.
Users must search at least one parameter. Any additional selections made using
multiple parameter search boxes within the 'Search' or 'Explore' page will narrow the
results.
Key Functions
There are some functions that can aid in searching. These Key Functions include:
Update Search - Updates query to most recently selected parameters in 'Search' page
Reset or Reset All - Erases previously selected criteria within a 'Search' area (Reset)
or across all 'Search' or 'Explore' areas (Reset All).
Aquatic Button - Loads or filters Aquatic data records.
Terrestrial Button - Loads or filters Terrestrial data records.
Customize Output Fields - A popup window that allows users to change or add data fields
to display in the search results. This allows selection of all available fields for display
and export (the default includes a limited number of the most commonly requested
fields). Note: This option will only be available once a search has been conducted.
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Export as... - A drop-down menu which allows export of results data to Excel or
Delimited files or structured for use in developing Species Sensitivity Distributions.
Note: Under this button, users can choose to have full output version of test
results or "Condensed". "Excel (Full)" outputs six Excel columns for each
numeric field selection: mean operator (~, < <=, >, >=), mean value, min
operator, min value, max operator, and max value. "Excel (Condensed)"
outputs one Excel column for each numeric field (mean operator + mean
value) and summarizes other values in a separate column at the far right.
View All Applied - A popup window showing parameters applied to specific search.
Users can export this criteria list for documentation purposes. For Excel exports,
this information is also included on a separate 'Search_Parameters' tab.
References - By selecting the references buttonQ at the top right of the screen users
can view and export all reference citations for the data searched. For Excel exports,
this information is also included on a separate 'References' tab.
Options for Searching in ECOTOX
ECOTOX offers the following search options: 'Search' or 'Explore'.
'Search' provides a broader range of query parameters than those available in
'Explore'. The default for each selection box is All Data will be searched. As selections
are added to Search criteria, the number of records that can be retrieved from the
ECOTOX Knowledgebase may be reduced.
Users must search on at least one parameter. Any additional selections made using
multiple parameter search boxes within the 'Search' or 'Explore' page will narrow the
results.
Search Page Menu: The main 'Search' page provides an overview of how to
navigate within 'Search' and has a navigational tool bar located at the left of the page,
which allows users to navigate to different search parameters and enter specific
search criteria based on parameter field.
All Chemicals - Specific or Multiple Chemical Entry using either the Chemical
Abstract Services (CAS) Registry number or chemical name to identify the
substance(s) or select one or more predefined group under "Any Chemical
Group"
All Effects - Specific or Multiple Effects or Measurements or select one or
more general effect type under "Any Effect Group"
All Endpoints- Specific or Multiple Concentration Based Endpoints, Time Based
Endpoints, Bioaccumulation/Bioconcentration Factor Endpoints, or No
Endpoints
All Species - Specific or Multiple Taxonomic Entry using either the scientific
name, common name, or ECOTOX species number to identify the
organism(s) or select one or more predefined group under "Any Species
Group"
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All Test Conditions - Select any Test Location, Exposure Media, Exposure Type,
Control Type, Chemical Analysis, or specify Duration
All Publication Options - Enter Author, Reference Number, Publication
Year, or select grouped data under Independently Compiled Data and
Recent Modifications/Additions
As selections are made, they will appear in the left frame navigation tool. Users may
also review search selections using the "View All Applied" button after "Update Search'"
has been applied. Each parameter selection box also includes a 'Reset'button in the
x Reset
upper right-hand corner of the box. When you click on 'Reset', all
selections within the box are removed, however selections remain in the other boxes.
In summary, the ECOTOX 'Search' feature is designed to lead users through a search
session using multiple forms. The left frame provides a menu and navigational search
forms containing search parameter selections. Users must use the navigation tool bar
to move from form to form within 'Search.' To reset all data fields and start over, select
'Reset All'.
Note: Using your browser's Back button will result in the loss of all entries made
in any of the ECOTOX forms.
'Search' selection types may include:
Checkbox: To select an item, click on the checkbox to include. To remove a selection,
click on the checkbox again. One or more items may be selected.
Any Test Locations
Not Reported
All Tests
~^eld, Anitic^l
^ield, Natural
^¦eld. undeterminable
Radio button: To select an option, click on the radio button box to include. To unselect,
click on the radio button again. Only one option listed may be chosen.
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< Species
x Reset
Specific Species
Enter each species name on separate lines.
Qs. Species name(s)
O Contains Q Exact Match
(3 Plants
O Both
Kingdom
(3 Animals
For Name Searches
O Genus/Species Name
O Common Name
O Other Taxonomic Names
Drop-down List: To modify searches using the drop-down list, click on the arrow icon on
the right side. Clicking on this icon drops down a list immediately below the field and
shows which values can be chosen. Click on the entry item to select.
< Publication Options
Text Entry: Chemical, Effects, Species, Author, or Reference Number searches may
require typing the search criteria into the selection box. Each entry must be on a single
line, followed by clicking "Enter" on keyboard. The text must match the type of data
within ECOTOX, either as a sub-string search (Contains) or exactly (Exact Match).
Users may enter both text and numeric data into text boxes.
< Chemicals *Rewt
Q, soooc
121755
dioxin
cupricchtoride
O Contains (j Exact Match
Enter each chemical name and/or CAS registry number on separate Sine s.
View/Edit: For predefined groups within the 'Search' parameters, users can view and/or
further edit selected lists after "Update Search" has been completed. To access the
Publication Years
1915
V to 2017
Author(s): All
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view and edit feature, click on the button located at the bottom for the search box
labeled "View/Modify Entries for Selected Groups." This displays a popup window with
detailed list(s) for selections. Changes can be made by deselecting any search
selection and clicking on 'Save Modifications' and selecting 'Update Search' to change
the data output. A 'Restore All' link is also provided to return the parameter to the
default selections, or select the 'Cancel' button to return to original search parameters.
If you click on your browser "Back" button, your edits will not be saved.
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Explore Page Menu
The 'Explore' feature supports searches for Predefined or Custom groups for
Chemicals, Species or Effects Groups. The 'Explore' menu includes a more limited set
of filter options and the data fields in the displayed tables cannot be modified. The
query options within 'Explore' are also available in 'Search', but the 'Search' contains
more search and output options.
A directory path noting the location in 'Explore' appears in the top banner. Users can move up
the path by closing the level using the w*M button. Selecting the back button returns you to the
main 'Explore' page.
< Explore 3° Chemicals Beryllium©
Q Aquatic Terrestrial Group Summary
In summary, ECOTOX offers the following 'Explore' options:
• Chemical: Within the Chemical Entry search box, users may select any or
multiple Chemicals Groups to explore available data. Users can also 'Create
Custom Group...' by browsing chemicals in ECOTOX or entering CAS Number(s).
• Species: Within the Species Group, users may select any or multiple Species
Groups or develop a custom list to explore available data. Users can also 'Create
Custom Group...' by browsing available species or entering NCBI TaxlD(s).
• Effects: Wthin the Effects Group, users may select any or multiple Effect Groups
in the Group list to explore available data. Users can also 'Create Custom
Group...' by browsing available effect measurements or entering a specific list of
terms.
ECOTOX DATA SEARCHES
To retrieve ECOTOX data, select either the 'Search' or 'Explore' on the Home page
banner. The query page will then load, however, transferring between the 'Search'
and 'Explore' features will lose your current search strategy.
USING 'SEARCH' TO LOCATE DATA
Chemical Searches
Under the 'All Chemicals' search tab, users can conduct queries on CAS
Registry numbers, partial or complete chemical names, and predefined groups
of chemicals. The default within ECOTOX is that all chemicals are selected for
searching. All chemicals within ECOTOX include a CAS Registry number and a
chemical name, typically a Collective Indices name. This information is verified
in reliable sources. Appendix D describes the verification process for chemicals
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in the ECOTOX system. In Search, the Collective Indices name is identified as
the preferred name within the ECOTOX Knowledgebase, and this is the name
displayed on the output even if the search was conducted using a common or
trade name of a substance. ECOTOX includes chemical synonym searching as
an option; however, if a synonym is used by more than one CAS number, both
chemicals will be queried. In Explore, the most common name is displayed on
the output. For example, if you Create a Custom Chemical group and enter
Glyphosate, then select the name that contains 'Glyphosate isoproylamine'
(e.g. CAS: 38641940 | N-(Phosphonomethyl)glycine compd. With 2-
propanamine (1:1)), Roundup will display in the output since it is the most
common name.
Chemical Entry
To conduct a search, type in the CAS Registry number(s) and/or chemical name(s).
Users may enter the CAS Registry number with or without hyphens and leading zeroes.
CAS number queries are always exact matches.
Users can search for an unlimited number of entries and each entry must be entered on
a separate line. Users can mix numbers and name entries.
Chemical Name: Users can search ECOTOX for chemical synonyms. Enter the
names of the chemicals, placing each name in a separate field.
Note: If the term benzene is entered with the "Contains" radio button, all
chemicals that contain the sub-string benzene will be retrieved. Selecting the
"Exact Match" will return only results for benzene. It is recommended to search
on CAS Registry numbers (CASRN) to specifically restrict search to selected
chemical(s).
Chemical Dashboard: On the 'All Chemicals' searching parameter, a link directs users
to the U.S. EPA's CompTox Chemicals Dashboard to search by CASRN for more
information on a chemical.
Note: CAS Registry number with or without hyphens made be entered for
ECOTOX searches, but exact CAS Registry number with hyphens is preferred for
the CompTox Chemicals Dashboard searches.
Predefined Chemical Groups
The option to select from predefined lists is available in the 'Search' function. Chemical
lists have been provided to effectively search a variety of Metal/Organometal or Organic
compounds chemical groups. To select a chemical group or specific chemical(s) of
interest, click on the checkbox to search. To unselect, click on the checkbox again.
Search Tips for Chemicals
Some guidance when conducting a chemical search:
Metal Compounds: It may be more effective to search metal compounds by chemical
name, i.e. entering cupr and copper as chemical names will find copper and several
copper compounds with fewer keystrokes than typing all the individual CAS Registry
numbers. Users may also search a group of copper compounds using the ECOTOX
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ECOTOX 5.5 User Guide
Predefined Chemical Group option.
Organic Compounds: These compounds may be searched by chemical name, i.e.
entering dioxin as a chemical name will be more efficient than entering all the specific
dioxin chemical names or CAS Registry numbers. Remember, though, entering some
chemical names may identify many non-applicable chemicals (e.g., benzene will result
in all compounds with the sub-string 'benzene' in the chemical name), therefore it is
recommended to search by CAS Registry number if a specific chemical is required.
Pesticides: Pesticides are usually found by typing the common synonym name or trade
name. Chemical CAS Registry numbers may be located via link to CompTox
Chemicals Dashboard or accessing other chemical indexing resources.
Search bv Effect Measurements
Under the "All Effects" search tab, users can conduct queries on specific effect measurements
(including Post-exposure results), or by predefined groups of effects.
Note: If the term vitellogenin is entered with the "Contains" radio button, all
effects that contain that sub-string will be retrieved. Selecting the "Exact Match"
will return only results for vitellogenin.
The default within the ECOTOX Knowledgebase is that All effects are selected for searching. All
effects are categorized into one of 11 major effect groupings such as Accumulation, Growth,
Mortality, etc.
Each effect includes a list of observed measurements. For instance, the Effect
Measurement "Biochemical Group" includes three effect categories: Biochemistry,
Enzyme(s), and Hormone(s). Within each of these effects there are multiple
measurements located under "View/Modify Entries for the Selected Group(s)".
For further refinement of observed effect information, users may click on the
"View/Modify Entries" button located at the bottom of the 'Effect Measurements'
selection box. A new window will open and display the list of specific measurements for
each of the selected effect(s) and/or effect group(s). Measurements include quantitative
observations that describe and evaluate biological responses to toxicants. Each effect
(e.g., Growth) can have several associated measurements (e.g., length, weight). The
"ECOTOX Terms Appendix" located in the "What Is..." section of the Help web page
provides definitions of each effect measurement term used in ECOTOX.
The 'View/Modify Entries' window allows users to view and edit Effect Measurements to
include in search. To remove a specific measurement, click on the highlighted blue box
to remove the effect, and more than one measurement may be removed at a time.
Measurements may be restored by clicking on the "Restore AN" default button.
Note: If only a few effect measurements are desired, select "Clear AH" and reselect only
those measurements of interest. When complete, click on the "Save Modifications"
button to close the window and return the 'Search' page. If you click on "Back" button,
edits will not be saved.
Select "Update Search "to apply changes to the output.
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Post-exposure Measurements: Within the "All Effects" tab, this option allows users to
exclude results of responses observed during a post-exposure period. A post-
exposure study has an exposure to a chemical followed by a recovery, depuration or
elimination period or is a delayed effect. 'Post-exposure Measurements' and are
included in the search results unless the check box is selected to exclude them.
For post-exposure effects, the observation time is recorded (Observed Duration) and
will be greater than the Exposure Duration; comparing these two fields in the best
way to recognize records with measurements taken post-exposure.
Many historical records for Post-exposure Measurements can also be recognized by
clicking the 'Customize Output Fields' button and selecting the 'Display lookup terms
instead of descriptions' checkbox at the bottom of the pop-up window. In some cases,
post Exposure Measurements will be displayed with a tilde (~) in front of the Effect
Measurement Term. For example, a post exposure measurement mortality effect would
have ~MOR for the Effect Measurement Term.
Note: When using the 'Explore' feature, Post-exposure Measurements are also
automatically included in a query and currently cannot be separated.
Search by Endpoints
Under the "All Endpoints" search tab, users can conduct queries on any or all
specific endpoints or by predefined group of effects.
The default within the ECOTOX Knowledgebase is that "All Endpoints" are selected for
searching. For the purposes of ECOTOX, an endpoint is defined as the quantification of
an observed effect obtained through statistics or other means of calculation for the
express purpose of comparing equivalent effects (e.g., LC50).
For each toxicity test, pertinent information on test results presented by the authors are
encoded within the database. Endpoint information is included if it is reported by the
author.
Within the "Any Endpoints" tab, users can choose one or more endpoints within the
checkbox by clicking to select endpoints to include in query. The Endpoint selection
box is divided into the following sections: Concentration-Based or Time-Based
Endpoints, Bioaccumulation / Bioconcentration Factors (all statistically-derived, or
calculated as reported by the author or determined by the ECOTOX staff), or
Statistics, No Endpoint (which contains statistically analyzed data but authors did not
identify a specific endpoint or one could not be determined by ECOTOX staff) or
Endpoint Not Reported (NR) where data was not statistically analyzed.
The "View All Applied" box allows users to view and export all search parameters.
More endpoints can be selected after conducting the initial search, but users must
select "Update Search" to apply changes to the output.
Search bv Taxonomy
Under the "All Species" search tab, users can conduct a search by using Species
Names or ECOTOX Species Number, or by using Predefined Species Groups. All
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data records within ECOTOX include a Scientific name for the test species. All names
have been verified in reliable taxonomic sources. Appendix D contains information
regarding the verification of species data in ECOTOX.
The ECOTOX species file includes historical synonyms for the species. If a search is
conducted using a species name that is noted as a taxonomic synonym in our system,
ECOTOX Knowledgebase will present the results using the currently acceptable genus
and species name.
Taxonomic Entry
Users can search for an unlimited number of species entries, but each entry must be
entered on a separate line or separated by a comma. Users can mix numbers and
name entries, but the name entry must be the same type (e.g., Genus/species and
Common names cannot be searched within one entry screen).
Genus/Species Name: Users can conduct a search on whole or fragments of
scientific names (Genus, Species).
Species Common Name: All data records within ECOTOX include a common name for
each species. Users can conduct an exact search (Exact Match) on the common
name or fragments.
Other Taxonomic Names: Key taxonomic levels (Kingdom, Phylum/Division,
Superclass, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species, Subspecies, and Variety)
searches are available by typing the appropriate scientific name.
Note: If a species name is entered, users can select either the "Contains" or
the "Exact Match" radio buttons. For example, if users enter trout and select
the "Contains" radio button, it will return everything that contains the sub-
string trout. For name searches, users are required to select the type of
name (e.g. Genus/Species name, etc.). If trout is entered, users would
need to select the Species Common Name radio button to retrieve any
results. Selecting the "Exact Match" is best utilized when the literal string
(exact name) of the species is known (e.g. rainbow trout or Daphnia sp.)
Predefined Species Groups
Species lists have been provided to effectively search a variety of species groups.
For further refinement of a species group, users may click on the "View/Modify Entries
for Selected Group(s)" button located at the bottom of the Species selection box. A new
window will open and display the list of specific species for each of the selected groups.
The View/Modify entries window allows users to view and edit species to include in
search. To remove one or many specific species, click on the highlighted blue box to
remove the species. Users may restore species by clicking on the "Restore All"
default button. If only a few species are desired, select "Clear AN" and reselect only
those species of interest. When completed, click on the "Save Modifications" button to
close window and return the 'Search' page. Clicking on browser "Back" button will
remove all edits.
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Select "Update Search" to apply changes to the output.
Note: Users cannot display both the Animal and Plant species groups due to the
large number of species within these lists.
Taxonomic kingdom (plant or animal) searching is available in 'Search'. The kingdom is
searched using a radio button option located within "All Species" as "Plants" for the
plant kingdom or "Animals" for the animal kingdom.
The Plant kingdom search also includes species representing Monera and Fungi. Some
studies report both plant and animal species as one effect measurement (e.g., aquatic
community, plankton, soil community). These results will be included when either plant,
animal or both kingdoms are selected.
Search Tips for Taxonomic Searches
Clicking on "All Species" on the frame at the left of the search page will move users to
the Taxonomic Search area. Some examples are provided to help when developing
your search strategy:
Genus/Species Name: Entering Pimephales promelas in the search text box will result
in only data for fathead minnows. Entering daphnia genus as the genus/species name
will result in all Daphnia and Ceriodaphnia species. If a specific genus and/or species
names is consistently searched, a user may want to use the ECOTOX Species
Number for searching.
Users may also enter a historical Scientific Name and still retrieve data for a species.
For example, if Salmo gairdneri is entered, the output will display the currently
accepted name, Oncorhynchus mykiss.
Other Taxonomic Name: Any taxonomic level (Kingdom, Phylum/Division,
Superclass, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species, Subspecies, and Variety) can be
searched using this Taxonomic Entry box. For example, entering Salmonidae will
retrieve all species for this family.
Species Common Name: Using some common names may be an effective way to
search if there is a unique common name for that organism. For example, entering
mallard in the common name field will result in only mallard duck results.
Note: Entering the term duckmW output results for duck and duckweed. In this
case, searching using the common name (exact) or performing only
performing the query on terrestrial data will eliminate the duckweed from the
search.
Note: Entering bird in the common name field will result in bird and ladybird
beetle data. In addition, using the term birdw\\\ not ensure that all bird data in
the system will be extracted because the species name may not use the term
bird in the common name.
ECOTOX Species Number: The species number is the unique indexing number
assigned to each species in ECOTOX and can be used as a shortcut method to search
genus and/or species data. The ECOTOX Species number can be identified by
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selecting it in the output.
Search bv Test Conditions
For each toxicity test, pertinent information on testing procedures presented by the
authors are documented within the database. Search selections available on this page
are; Test Location, Exposure media, Exposures types, Control types and Chemical
analysis. These options are briefly described below.
Test Location
The valid entries for test location are Lab (laboratory), Field (all outdoor field tests,
artificial, natural or undeterminable) and Not Reported (i.e., the author(s) did not present
sufficient information to determine test location). The default within ECOTOX is that all
data, regardless of test location, are included in search result. To selectively search on
a specific test location, click to mark the appropriate checkbox.
Exposure Media
The default within ECOTOX is that all data, regardless of test media, are included in
search result. To selectively search on a specific exposure type, click to mark the
appropriate checkbox.
Aquatic 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. Not Reported (NR) is used if a
determination cannot be made regarding the use of either freshwater or saltwater.
Terrestrial exposure media selections are focused on tests using a substrate (e.g., soil
or artificial media). If the terrestrial organism does not utilize a substrate for nutrition
(e.g., birds, mammals), do not select any exposure media types.
Exposure Type
Users can select the exposure type by clicking the items in the search selection box area.
Organisms are typically exposed to toxicants through aqueous, diet, injection, in vitro,
topical, or environmental routes. Occasionally, an exposure may occur through multiple
routes (e.g., such as topical and oral).
ECOTOX includes chemical exposures on whole living organisms as well as organisms
that are not intact {in vitro). For example, in vitro exposures can contain studies using
excised organs and cell cultures. Inclusion of in vitro studies into ECOTOX have the
same species criteria requirements as those for whole organisms (ecologically relevant
and exclude humans, monkeys, rats and mice).
Control Type
Control Type allows the capability to filter toxicity tests based on author reported
test control types, as well as the ability to select specific control type(s).
Individual control types may be selected by choosing the appropriate checkbox(es)
from the following options:
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o Concurrent (C) - run simultaneously with the exposure
o Multiple (M) - multiple type of controls reported, noted individually
o Baseline (B) - parameters measured before administration of test chemical
o Other (0) - control is run in a different system than exposures
o Solvent (V) - exposed to carrier or solvent only
o Positive (P) - an exposure that causes a desired effect in the experiment
o Historical (H) - data collected often during a long-term survey of the area
o Undefined (K) - control is presented but without accompanying
methodology
Historical ECOTOX Control Types
o Insufficient (I) - not enough information presented to determine control type
o Multiple Controls (OK) - multiple type of controls reported
o Satisfactory (S) - run in the same system, low mortality
o Unsatisfactory (U) - chemical entered control, high mortality
Control Not Reported
o No Control Used (Z) - authors state no control used
o Not Reported (NR) - was not reported
Chemical Analysis
The method of chemical analysis filters toxicity tests based on the author reported
chemical concentrations, as measured or nominal values. Individual chemical analysis
types may be selected by choosing the appropriate checkbox(es) from the following
options
Measured: Exposure and/or observation concentrations or doses are quantitative.
Analysis methods may be reported.
Unmeasured: Exposure and/or observation concentrations or doses are clearly
identified as nominal values, or when the author does not report whether the
concentrations were measured or nominal (i.e., unmeasured is used as a default value
when there is no information provided about the reported chemical concentrations).
Not Reported: Exposure and/or observation concentrations or doses are not reported.
Duration
Specify Duration (Observed) can be used to filter results returned to a specific value
or a range, in days, for the Observed Duration. The Observed Duration is the time at
which an effect measurement was observed/measured and reported (for example, a
24-hour LC50). The Observed Duration may be different than the Study Duration and
Exposure Duration. For example, measurements may be taken at intervals within a
study, resulting in several records with Observed Durations shorter than the Study
Duration. The Observed Duration for effects measured post-exposure will be greater
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than the Exposure Duration. You can enter a specific duration or range of durations in
text boxes, in days, to filter to the selected value(s) from the records that are able to
be converted to a standard unit (days).
Search by Publication Options
Publication Year(s)
The default within the ECOTOX Knowledgebase is that all data, regardless of
publication year, are included in search result. The default publication year search may
be overridden by selecting a range of publication years
The Aquatic component of ECOTOX contains data from publication years 1915 to
present. The Terrestrial component of ECOTOX contains data from publication
years 1926 to present.
Author(s)
Searches may be conducted on specific authors. To search on an author, enter the
specific author names in the selection box while in the "All Publication Options" of
the 'Search' page, one author per line. Partial author names may be used. Only
authors who have associated data in the ECOTOX Knowledgebase are returned.
Reference Number
Each publication abstracted for the ECOTOX Knowledgebase is assigned a unique
Reference Number (also called an ECOREF Number). These reference numbers are
available for selection for any ECOTOX outputs. To conduct a search, enter a valid
ECOTOX Reference Number(s) in the selection box in the "Ref Num(s)" box, with one
reference number per line.
Independently Compiled Data
ECOTOX includes several independently compiled data sets. Data sets from the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Russia, Office of
Pesticide Programs, the U.S. Geological Survey, and U.S. EPA Duluth Lab are
included as subsets of the ECOTOX Knowledgebase. For further information on these
data files, refer to Appendix F.
Recent Modifications and Additions
The default within ECOTOX is that all data, regardless of the date added to the
database, are included in search results. Data may be restricted to newly updated or
modified data using this filter. The Recent Modifications/Additions search box allows
searches based on the last 10 updates to the Knowledgebase, which typically span two
to three years. This feature is useful for specific queries (e.g., list of species and/or
chemicals) conducted on a regular basis.
Users can select "View All Applied" box to view the selected parameters used in the
'Search' function. This information can be exported to retain a dated record of each
search. For Excel exports, this information is also included on a separate
'Search_Parameters' tab.
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Output and Report Format Options
Within 'Search' function, the output table report has been condensed to include only the
most utilized output fields. All or some of the fields can be exported by first selecting
"Customize Output Fields" button, then click on "Select All" or clicking on any additional
fields to display in search results. All updated fields will be displayed in the output table.
Navigating within Output table: Users can move through the report in several ways.
To view within a page, use the scroll bar on the right side of the window. To view all
output fields, scroll down to bottom and then scroll to right of table. To move from one
page to another page of the report, use the numbered hyperlinks located at bottom of
each report page.
Users can also choose to export data to an Excel spreadsheet or delimited file. The
report will be saved as either Aquatic or Terrestrial depending on selected output.
In the downloaded/saved Excel report, if the author did not report data for a database
field, the output report will not populate the field (cell will be blank in output).
Definitions for any terms presented in the report can be found in the "ECOTOX Terms
Appendix" located under the "Help" tab.
Excel exports include separate tabs for the data records, list of references, and the
search parameters applied (included date and time stamp). When delimited exports
are used, it is recommended to also export and save the References (by selecting the
references button on the top right of the 'Search' page) and the Parameters Applied
(by selecting the 'View All Applied' button on the bottom of the left-hand panel in
'Search') for record keeping purposes.
Note: Users must first export output to Excel or delimited file; currently, users
cannot print directly from the HTML output.
If preferred, users can generate a delimited data file (.txt) of search results. The
delimited tabular output format has set default output fields. If the author did not report
data for a parameter, the delimited output will have an NR or 'Not reported' in the data
field. Definitions for all terms presented in the report can be found in the "ECOTOX
Terms Appendix" located in the "Help" section under the Home page.
The exported data file may be imported into spreadsheet or database software for
further refinements. Each data element is separated into a unique field, and each result
number appears as a data record on a single line. For delimited reports, the Reference
Citation field will appear in the separate delimited fields (Reference Number, Author,
Title, Publication Year and Source).
When delimited exports are used, it is recommended to also export and save the
References (by selecting the references button on the top right of the 'Search' page)
and the Parameters Applied (by selecting the 'View All Applied' button on the bottom
of the left-hand panel in 'Search').
Note: Each field in the delimited file report will be separated by a vertical bar ("|").
Users may have to specify the vertical bar as the delimiter when importing the
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data. A forward slash (/) within a field refers to an associated comment.
Comment fields can be selected in output to help interpret unique test conditions
but for a complete understanding of the toxicity study, refer to the full publication.
Display Fields
Select data parameters are presented in the default versions of the Aquatic and
Terrestrial tabular reports. Users can change the display fields for Excel and delimited
outputs by selecting the "Customize Output Fields" button. Within "Customize Output
Fields", a checkmark appears for data fields that are displayed in the default output
format. To change this, users can click on an unchecked box to include specific fields in
the output, or click on a checked box to uncheck it, and remove it from the output. Other
available functions include:
• Select All - checks all fields to include the output.
• Clear All - clears all fields and allows users to select only the ones they are
interested in.
• Restore Defaults - restores the default fields to include in the output.
• Study Evaluation Results - checks fields that are commonly used for evaluation
of study relevance and reliability. These fields will be included in the output, and
users can select other fields to also include.
After selections are made, select "Save" and the query will automatically re-run with the
desired output fields.
USING 'EXPLORE' TO LOCATE DATA
About Explore
The 'Explore' feature is a great tool for searching the ECOTOX Knowledgebase if you
do not know the exact parameters you wish to search for or if you would like a visual
representation of general and specific data trends. Explore is an interactive way to
examine search paths by Chemical, Species and Effects, including data visualizations
with several plotting options. Users can investigate available data with these 'Explore'
options and then send the query filters to 'Search' for further refinement and export of
the resulting data records.
Explore by Chemical
Predefined and Custom Chemical Groups
The option to select from predefined lists is available in 'Explore.' Chemical lists have
been provided to effectively search a variety of Metal/Organometal or Organic
compounds chemical groups. To select a chemical group or group(s) of interest, click
on the checkbox you want to search. To unselect, click on the checkbox again.
Searches for data on a specific user-defined single chemical or "custom group" of
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chemicals can also be conducted from the 'Explore' Chemicals page, however users
cannot select both a chemical from the pre-defined group list and enter in a Custom
group chemical.
After a specific group is selected, click on "Explore Data" button.
Explore Data >
To create a custom group of chemicals, select the Create Custom Group button from
the left side panel.
Create Custom Group...
From there, you can either Browse Chemicals by entering a chemical name or CAS
Number and then selecting one or more species or chose to Enter by CAS Number.
You can also copy and paste CAS Number(s) into the appropriate box.
The default within the ECOTOX Knowledgebase is that all chemicals in the selected
group are selected for searching. The output can be refined by using the Query Filters
on the left side of table to limit results to specific chemicals in that group. Users can also
limit the displayed tabular data using the text entry fields at the top of each column, but
this does not affect the query.
Notice that the initial output has both Aquatic and Terrestrial data reported under the
Group Summary tab. Users can deselect one or the other by clicking the checkbox to
filter data.
Q Aquatic Q Terrestrial Records Plot View
Users can view all available data results by selecting the "Records" tab above the
table to show all Distinct records in the Group.
Q Aquatic Q Terrestrial Group Summary Plot View
Note: There are fewer output columns displayed in the 'Explore' feature as
compared to the 'Search' feature. To see all available fields for specific
results, users can send the query filters and search parameters to the
'Search' feature using the green button on the upper right of the Records
Table, which will open in a new browser tab.
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Send Query Filters to Search
Refining/Filtering data using Query filters
Users can refine tabular data using the Query Filters on the left side of the table. All
chemicals, species, and effects data resulting from the initial 'Explore' page can be
refined via the dropdown boxes under each filter group. Users may select one or
multiple options in each box. Multiple selections can be made by holding the Ctrl key
down while clicking the item. Once filters are selected, click 'Enter' on keyboard or
mouse-click outside the box to apply to data output table. Users can select "View All
Applied" box to view the selected parameters. This information can also be exported to
retain a dated record of parameters applied in 'Explore'.
Data Visualization Plots
Data output presented in the 'Explore' table can also be plotted (if applicable) by
selecting the 'Plot View' tab.
] Aquatic Q Terrestrial
Group Summary Records
Plot View
Currently, only Aquatic data or Terrestrial data that can be converted to ppm
equivalents are viewable in the Plot View. ECOTOX unit conversion logic can be found
here: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ecotox/help.cfm. There are three types of pre-defined plots
available: Effect by Chemical, Duration by Chemical and Duration by Endpoint. There is
also the option for a Custom Plot, in which the Y-axis can be set to Concentration or
Duration, and the X-axis and Legend can be set to categorical fields such as Chemical,
Species, Effect, Endpoint, etc.
The data presented in the table or in the plot can be further refined using the query
filters on the left side of the webpage. Users can also "zoom" into the plot to refine
output, or by deselecting/selecting items in plot legend.
Hovering the cursor over any of the data points in the graph will highlight the study.
Clicking on any data point in the plot will highlight the result in the table below the plot.
Notice in the 'Explore' plot table, only 13 output columns are shown. To see all available
data for specific results, users should select "Send Query filters to Search" to apply the
search parameters to the 'Search' feature of the Knowledgebase. In 'Search' additional
filtering options are available and the output can be expanded to include more fields
using the 'Customize Output Fields' button.
Explore by Species
Predefined and Custom Species Groups
The option to select from predefined group or a Custom Group is available in the
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'Explore' feature. Species groups have been provided to effectively search a variety of
Animal, Plants, or Special interest groups. To select one or many species group(s) of
interest, click on the checkbox(es) you want to search. To unselect, click on the
checkbox again.
After specific group is selected, click on "Explore Data" button.
Explore Data >
The default within the ECOTOX Knowledgebase is that all species in the selected group
are selected for searching. If you want to limit results to specific species in that group,
the output can be refined by filtering tabular data using the text entry fields at the top of
the table columns, or by using the Query filters on the left side of table.
Notice that the initial output has both Aquatic and Terrestrial data reported under the
Group Summary tab (if data are available and applicable). You can deselect one or the
other by clicking the checkbox to filter data.
Q Aquatic Q Terrestrial Records Plot View
You can focus on available data results by selecting "Records" tab above the table
which will show all Distinct records in the Group:
Q Aquatic Q Terrestrial Group Summary Plot View
To create a custom group of species, select the Create Custom Group button from the
left side panel.
Create Custom Group...
From there, you can either Browse Species by entering a common name, Latin name
or NCBI TaxlD and then selecting one or more species or chose to Enter by NCBI
TaxID. You can also copy and paste a list of NCBI TaxIDs into the appropriate box.
Note: While searching for data using the 'Explore' feature, you will notice fewer
output columns as compared to Search feature (currently 6 under Group summary
and 9 under Records). To see all available data for specific results, users should
select "Send Query filters to Search" to apply the search parameters to the
'Search' feature of the Knowledgebase. In 'Search' additional filtering options are
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available and the output can be expanded to include more fields using the
'Customize Output Fields' button.
Refining/Filtering data using Query filters
Users can refine tabular data using the Query Filters on the left side of the webpage.
All chemicals, species, and effects data resulting from the initial 'Explore' page can be
refined via the dropdown boxes under each filter group. Users may select one or
multiple options in each box. Once filters are selected, click 'Enter' on keyboard or
mouse-click outside the box to apply to data output table. Users can select "View All
Applied" box to view the selected parameters. This information can also be exported to
retain a dated record of each search.
Data Visualization Plots
Data outputs presented in the 'Explore' table can also be plotted (if applicable) by
selecting the 'Plot View' tab.
] Aquatic Q Terrestrial
Group Summary Records
Plot View
Currently, only Aquatic data or Terrestrial data that can be converted to ppm
equivalents are viewable in the Plot View, and there are three types of pre-defined plots
available: Effect by Chemical, Duration by Chemical and Duration by Endpoint. There is
also the option for a Custom Plot, in which the Y-axis can be set to Concentration or
Duration, and the X-axis and Legend can be set to categorical fields such as Chemical,
Species, Effect, Endpoint, etc.
The data presented in the table or in the plot can be further refined using the Query
Filters on the left side of the webpage. Users can "zoom' into the plot to refine output,
or by deselecting/selecting items in plot legend.
Hovering the cursor over any of the data points in the graph will highlight the study.
Clicking on any data point in the plot will highlight the result in the table below the plot.
Note: Notice in the 'Explore' plot table, only 13 output columns are shown. To see
all available data for specific results, users should select "Send Query filters to
Search" to apply the search parameters to the 'Search' feature of the
Knowledgebase.
Explore by Effects
Predefined and Custom Effects Groups
The option to select from predefined lists is available in the 'Explore' feature.
Predefined effects groups have been provided to effectively search a variety of typical
apical effects such as Growth, Reproduction and Mortality, but also include newer
effects groups such as Behavior and Physiology effects. To select one or many
species group(s) of interest, click on the checkbox(es) you want to search. To
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unselect, click on the checkbox again.
After a specific group is selected, click on the "Explore Data" button.
Explore Data >
The default within the ECOTOX Knowledgebase is that all effects in the selected group
are selected for searching. If you want to limit results to a specific effect measurement
in that group, the output can be refined by filtering Tabular data using text entry fields at
the top of the table columns, or by using the Query filters on the left side of table.
Note: Notice that the initial output has both Aquatic and Terrestrial data reported
under the Group Summary tab (if data are available and applicable). You can
deselect one or the other by clicking on the checkbox to filter data.
Q Aquatic Q Terrestrial Records Plot View
You can zero in on available data results by selecting the "Records" tab above the
table which will show all Distinct records in the Group:
Q Aquatic Q Terrestrial Group Summary Plot View
Any specific Effect on the output table can be selected for viewing by clicking on the
green arrow on right side of output table This will refine the output table to all
records by selected effect.
To create a custom group of effect measurements, select the Create Custom Group
button from the left side panel.
Create Custom Group...
From there, you can either Browse Effect Measurement by entering the exact
measurement term or some component(s) of the measurement description, and then
selecting one or more measurements. You can also choose to Enter by Term using the
exact effect and measurement terms (see ECOTOX Terms Appendix).
Note: While searching for data using the 'Explore' feature, you will notice fewer
output columns as compared to Search feature (currently 6 under Group summary
and 9 under Records). To see all available data for specific results, users should
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select "Send Query filters to Search" to apply the search parameters to the
'Search' feature of the Knowledgebase. In 'Search' additional filtering options are
available and the output can be expanded to include more fields using the
'Customize Output Fields' button.
Refining/Filtering data using Query filters
Users can refine tabular data using Query Filters on the left side of the webpage. All
chemicals, species, and effects data resulting from an initial search can be refined via
the dropdown boxes under each filter group. Users may select one or multiple options
in each box. Once filters are selected, click 'Enter' on keyboard or mouse-click outside
the box to apply to data output table. Users can select "View All Applied" box to view
the selected parameters. This information can also be exported to retain a dated
record of each search.
Data Visualization Plots
Data output presented in the 'Explore' table can also be plotted (if applicable) by
selecting the 'Plot View' tab.
] Aquatic Q Terrestrial
Group Summary Records
Plot View
Currently, only Aquatic data or Terrestrial data that can be converted to ppm
equivalents are viewable in the Plot View, and there are three types of pre-defined plots
available: Effect by Chemical, Duration by Chemical and Duration by Endpoint. There is
also the option for a Custom Plot, in which the Y-axis can be set to Concentration or
Duration, and the X-axis and Legend can be set to categorical fields such as Chemical,
Species, Effect, Endpoint, etc.
The data presented in the table or in the plot can be further refined using the Query
Filters on the left side of the webpage. Users can also "zoom' into the plot to refine
output, or by deselecting/selecting items in plot legend.
Hovering the cursor over any of the data points in the graph will highlight the study.
Clicking on any data point in the plot will highlight the result in the table below the plot.
Notice in the 'Explore' plot table, only 13 output columns are shown. To see all available
data for specific results, users should select "Send Query filters to Search" to apply the
search parameters to the 'Search' feature of the Knowledgebase.
Exporting Data in Explore
Tabular data output can be exported to CSV file by clicking on button and
saving file to computer. If the number of records is larger than you would like to view, you may
close the report window and return to the ECOTOX Knowledgebase window to refine your
search strategy.
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Once search is completed, and report window closed, users will be returned to the
ECOTOX Knowledgebase window. The search strategy will remain intact, so
refinements can be made, or if you want to conduct another search, you may clear
the search by clicking the "Reset AH" button.
EXITING ECOTOX
Exiting your Web browser or visiting another Web site will leave the program. Exiting the
Web browser will not save your search strategy.
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APPENDIX A: ECOTOX SEARCH PLANNING FORM
Use this form to help plan your searches or to document searches for yourself or others
to perform.
Chemicals
Chemical Names
CAS Numbers
Predefined Groups
Metal Compounds
Organic Compounds
Aluminum
Conazoles
Antimony
Cyanotoxins
Arsenic
DDT and metabolites
Barium
Dibenzofurans
Beryllium
Explosives
Cadmium
Glycol Ethers
Major Ions
Chromium
Cobalt
Neonicotinoids
Copper
Nitrosamines
Iron
Perchlorates
Lead
Phthalate Esters
Manganese
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)
Mercury
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB)
Nickel
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE)
Organotin
Pharmaceutical Personal Care (PPCP)
Selenium
Strobins
Silver
Vanadium
Thallium
Zinc
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
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Species
Scientific Names/
Taxonomic Levels
Common Names
Species
ECOTOX
Numbers or
NCBI TaxIDs
Predefined Taxonomic Groups
All Animals
Amphibians
Insects/Spiders
Molluscs
Birds
Other Invertebrates
Reptiles
Crustaceans
Mammals
Worms
Fish
All Plants
Algae
Moss/Hornworts, Fungi,
Flowers, Trees, Shrubs, Ferns
Special Interest
Standard Test Species
US Threatened/Endangered Species
US Exotic/Nuisance
Test Results
Endpoints:
Concentration Based
Time Based
Bioaccumulation/bioconcentration Factor
Statistics, No endpoint
Effect Groups:
Accumulation Mortality
Behavior Physiology
Biochemical Population
Cellular Reproduction
Growth Ecosystem
Specific Effect Measurements
Include Post-exposure Measurements (for recovery or delayed effects)
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Test Conditions
Test Location(s):
Lab
All Field Tests
Field Artificial
Field Natural
Field Undeterminable
Exposure Media:
WATER: Freshwater
Saltwater Not Specified
SOIL: Artificial Humus Litter Manure Mineral Soil Natural Soil
Unspecified Soil Soil Mixture
ARTIFICIAL: Hvdroponic Other
Exposure Tvpe:
Diet
Injection
Topical
Environmental
Multiple Entry
In-vitro
Not Reported
Flow-through (aquatic)
Leaching (aquatic)
Intermittent (aquatic)
Renewal (aquatic)
Lotic (aquatic)
Static (aquatic)
Lentic (outdoor aquatic)
Tidal (outdoor aquatic)
Control Tvpe:
Historical Control Tvpe:
Concurrent
Multiple
Baseline
Solvent
Positive
Historical
Undefined
_ Other
Insufficient
Multiple Controls
Satisfactory
Unsatisfactory
Control Not Reported:
No Control
Not Reported
Chemical Analysis:
Measured Unmeasured
Not Reported
Duration: specific# of Davs
range of Days: > <_
Publications
Publication Years:
Author:
Reference Number(s):
Independently Compiled Data:
EPA: Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity
EPA: Office of Pesticide Program Database
Dutch Dataset
French Dataset
German Dataset
Russian Dataset
USGS Acute Toxicity Dataset
Recent Update Dates:
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Report Output
Aquatic Output Elements
Standard default output elements are listed in bold. Some output
options are available for Field Data only and are indicated by 'field
only'.
Terrestrial Output Elements
Standard default output elements are listed in bold. Some output
options are available for Field Data only and are indicated by 'field
only'.
Alkalinity
Application Date (field only)
Application Date (field only)
Application Date/Season (field only)
Application Date /Season (field only)
Application Frequency
Application Frequency
Application Rate (field only)
Application Rate (field only)
Author
Application Type (field only)
CAS Number/ Chemical Name
Author
Chemical DTXSID
BCF Value
Chemical Analysis Method
Calcium
Chemical Carrier (includes all associated fields)
CAS Number
Chemical Comment
CAS Number/ Chemical Name
Chemical Formulation
Chemical DTXSID
Chemical Grade
Chemical Analysis
Chemical Half Life (field only)
Chemical Carrier (includes all associated fields)
Chemical Name
Chemical Comments
Chemical Purity
Chemical Formulation
Chemical Radiolabel
Chemical Grade
Cone (Author) (Excel and Delimited only)
Chemical Half Life (field only)
Control Type
Chemical Name
Dose (Author)
Chemical Purity
Doses
Chemical Radiolabel
EE Comment
Chlorine
Effect
Concentration (Author)
Effect %
Concentration (Standardized)
Effect Measurement
Conductivity
Endpoint
Control
Endpoint Assignment
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon
Endpoint / BCF/BAF
Dissolved Oxygen
Experimental Design
Doses
Exposure Comment
EE Comment
Exposure Duration (Author)
Effect
Exposure Duration (Days)
Effect %
Exposure Sample Number
Effect Measurement
Exposure Type
Effect /Effect Measurement
Exposure Type/Chemical Analysis method
Endpoint
Gender
Endpoint Assignment
General comments
Endpoint / BCF value
Geographic Term (Field Data Only)
Experimental Design
Geographic Location (Field Data Only)
Exposure Duration (Author)
Habitat
Exposure Duration (Days)
Intake Rate
Exposure Sample Number
Ionic Fraction
Exposure Type
Longitude/Latitude (Field Data Only)
Exposure Type/Chemical Analysis method
Media Cation Exchange Capacity
Gender
Media Moisture
General comments
Media Organic Matter and Type
Geographic Term (Field Data Only)
Media Type
Geographic Location (Field Data Only)
Media Type/Test Location
Habitat
Number of Doses
Hardness
Observed Duration (Author)
Humic Acid
Observed Duration (Days)
Intake Rate
Observed Response [includes BCF/BAF]
Ionic Fraction
Organism Age
Longitude/Latitude (Field Data Only)
Organism Comment
Magnesium
Organism Initial Weight
Media Type
Organism Lifestage
Media Type/Test Location
Organism Source
Number of Doses
Other Effects
Number of Doses/Result Sample Unit
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Observed Duration (Author)
Publication Year
Observed Duration (Days)
Reference Citation
Organic Carbon Type/Value
Reference Number
Organism Age
Response Site
Organism Comment
Response Site/Exposure Duration (Days)
Organism Initial Weight
Result Percent Dry/Wet Weight
Organism Lifestage
Result Comment
Organism Source
Result Percent Lipid
Other Effects
Result Sample Number/Unit
pH
Result Sample Number
Potassium
Result Sample Unit
Publication Year
Significance Level
Reference Citation
Significance Level/Statistical Significance
Reference Number
Soil Clay %
Response Site
Soil Dose Measured
Response Site/Exposure Duration (Days)
Soil pH
Result Percent Dry/Wet Weight
Soil Sand %
Result Comment
Soil Silt %
Result Percent Lipid
Soil Type
Result Sample Number/Unit
Species Common Name
Result Sample Number
Species ECOTOX Number
Result Sample Unit
Species Final Weight
Salinity
Species Group
Season
Species NCBI TaxlD
Significance Level
Species Scientific Name
Significance Level/Statistical Significance
Species Scientific Name/Species Common Name
Sodium
Species Taxonomic Information
Species Common Name
Statistical Significance
Species ECOTOX Number
Steady State
Species Final Weight
Study Duration (Author)
Species Group
Study Duration (Days)
Species NCBI TaxlD
Study Type
Species Scientific Name
Sub-Habitat Term (Field only)
Species Scientific Name/Species Common Name
Sub-Habitat Description (Field only)
Species Taxonomic Information
Sub-Habitat Comment (Field only)
Statistical Significance
Substrate Term (Field only)
Steady State
Substrate Comment (Field only)
Study Duration (Author)
Temperature
Study Duration (Days)
Test Comments
Study Type
Test Location
Sub-Habitat Term (Field only)
Test Method
Sub-Habitat Description (Field only)
Test Number
Sub-Habitat Comment (Field only)
Test Type
Substrate Term (Field only)
Trend
Substrate Comment (Field only
Trend/Effect %
Sulfate
Sulfur
Temperature
Test Location
Test Method
Test Number
Test Type
Trend
Trend/Effect %
Water Depth
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ECOTOX 5.5 User Guide
APPENDIX B: PRACTICE SEARCHES
These examples are for you to try in the 'Search' Page. After each example search,
remember to click on "Reset AH" before proceeding to the next search.
Example A
You want to locate All Reproductive effects data for Nickel compounds. You want to
include the specific habitat information for any results.
1. From home page (https://www.epa.gov/ecotox), click on search:
2. Click on "All Chemicals" from the menu. Scroll down to "Any Chemical Group".
3. Select Nickel checkbox from the metal compound list.
4. Click on "All Effects" from the menu. Select Reproduction Group.
Update Search
5. Click on the "Update Search" button.
6. Notice that Aquatic data is displayed, click on "Customize Output Fields"
Customize Output Fields
lin the upper right hand. Scroll down and click on the
Habitat checkbox to add this field to your output. Then click 'Save'.
7. Note: If you wish to view Terrestrial data, click on the Terrestrial button. You will
have to select the same Output field for the Terrestrial button.
Terrestrial
Example B
You want to locate LC50 data on Freshwater organisms exposed to Malathion.
1. From Home page (https://www.epa.gov/ecotox), click on search: S9
2. Click the "All Chemicals" menu on the left frame of the Search page. Type in
'Malathion' or CAS Number either formatted ('121-75-5') or unformatted
('121755') in the Chemical entry selection box.
3. Click "All Endpoints" menu. Within the "Concentration Based Endpoint" menu,
select 'LC50' checkbox.
4. Click "All Test Conditions" menu. Scroll down to the "Exposure Media" selection
box and click on the Fresh Water checkbox.
5. Click on the "Update Search" button.
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ECOTOX 5.5 User Guide
Example C
You want to locate recently published, lethality endpoint only studies on Daphnia
magna.
1. From home page (https://www.epa.gov/ecotox), click on 'Search':
2. Click "All Species" menu on the left frame of the 'Search' page. Type in
"Daphnia magna' and confirm that the Genus/Species Name radio button is
highlighted.
3. Click on the "All Effects" menu and select the 'Mortality Group' checkbox.
4. Click on the All Publication Options" menu. Within the "Publication Years"
selection box, select 2010 from the first drop down list and select 2018 from the
second drop down list.
5. Click on the "Update Search" button
6. Note: Only 'Aquatic' data should be presented in the table.
Example D
You want to locate toxicity data for Amphibian tests performed in an outdoor location.
You would like to move these data records into your own database.
1. From home page (https://www.epa.gov/ecotox), click on 'Search':
n
2. Click on the "All Species" menu on the left frame of the 'Search' page. Scroll
down to the "Any Species Groups" and check the 'Amphibians' checkbox.
3. Click on the "All Test Conditions" menu. Within the "Any Test Locations" area,
select the checkbox 'All Field Tests' from the list. Also, within the "Exposure
Media - Water" select Fresh', 'Salt' and Not Specified'.
4. Click on the Terrestrial button. (Selecting 'Aquatic' will return too many to view,
but if desired, you could select additional filters to refine output)
I
5. Click on the "Update Search" button.
6. Click "Export As..." button. Choose either 'Excel' or 'Delimited' report option for
the results.
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ADDITIONAL SEARCH and EXPLORE EXAMPLES
After each example, remember to click on "Reset AN" before proceeding to the next
example.
I.
Search Example
You want to locate all reproductive effects data for Buprofezin. What types of
reproductive effects were measured?
1. From the ECOTOX home page, click 'Search' on the top banner. BSS
2. Select the 'All Chemicals' tab from the left frame.
3. Type "Buprofezin" into the chemical name search box and click the green
button.
4. Select the 'All Effects' tab from the left frame and scroll down to 'Reproduction
Group'
5. Deselect the checkbox next to 'Any Measurements' and/or just select the
checkbox next to 'Reproduction Group' then
6. Select the 'Aquatic' button for aquatic data or 'Terrestrial' button for terrestrial
data. The data fields and display format are different for an aquatic exposure
versus a terrestrial exposure. If you would like to view data for both Aquatic and
Terrestrial, you can toggle between the two by select either 'Aquatic' KB! or
'Terrestrial' ¦HUH.
7. Click the blue 'View All Applied' button to view/export search parameters applied.
View All Applied
8. Select green "Customize Output Fields" to select additional data fields to be
Customize Output Fields
shown in the output table.
9. Select 'References' tab in upper right to see list of references for the results from
this search.
10. Click the green 'Export as...' drop-down to select type of file to download.
0 Export as...
Note: Please confirm that what you select/deselect makes sense in the database. If
you have selected "Reproduction" and "Growth" you should NOT be seeing any other
Effects in your report. Also, if you are viewing Aquatic Tab in the Results table, you
should not be able to see any Bird species under the Results table.
Conversely if you are viewing the Terrestrial table, there should only be terrestrial
organisms listed, but you can also go back to ALL SPECIES and select smaller
group of results, such as WORMS.
If you are seeing anything that you feel may be in error or "bugs", please "View All
Applied" and Copy/Save and send the information to Ecotox.support@epa.gov .
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The second example is using the 'EXPLORE' feature. You might use this when you
are not sure of what type of chemical information or species are in contained in the
knowledgebase.
II. Explore Example
You want to Explore data on the Reproductive effects of Cadmium on fish.
1. From the ECOTOX home page, click 'Explore' on the top banner.
2. Click the 'Chemicals' icon.
3. Under the Chemicals Groups, scroll down and select Cadmium checkbox.
| | Berylli um
Cadmium
~ Ch romiur
Explore Data >
4. Click the 'Explore Data' button to begin exploring.
5. The compounds are listed by CAS number. You can browse this list by CAS, or
Chemical name, or number of publications just by typing in the column header. To
Remove this filter, just click on the "X Reset" in upper RED BAR.
6. To view information on specific CAS number listed in output table, click the green
'>' (greater than) sign on the right side of the output table, and all the Aquatic and
Terrestrial Records for that compound will be displayed. You can filter additionally
by Aquatic or Terrestrial by deselecting one or the other. Note: Depending on
number of Records, the output may be limited to the first 3,000.
7. If you want to go back to your original list of compounds, you must go back to
'Query Filters' on left side of the webpage, and 'Reset All' (red 'x' at the bottom of
the Query Filters'. Using the browser Back key or closing out the tab above,
will bring you all the way back to the Home page. You can then Select Group
Summary' HttUiiiiiilUiitifl to see original list of compounds.
8. From the list of 'Query filters', click the drop down 'Species Group' selection box
and select Fish. If you wish to select multiple species groups, hold the 'ctrl' key
and click on multiple selections. Click outside of the 'Species Group' drop down
menu or click Enter on your keyboard to apply new parameters.
Notice now that above 'Query Filters', the Terrestrial box is no longer highlighted due to
Q AQUATIC TERHESTRI..
the selection of 'Fish' (Aquatic organism) as your species of interest.
You can continue to refine the output by Effect:
9. From the drop down 'Effect Groups' selection box. Scroll down to Select
'Reproduction'. Again, click outside of the dropdown menu or click Enter on your
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ECOTOX 5.5 User Guide
keyboard to apply new parameters. On the top left corner of the page, above
additional 'Query Filters', ensure that only the Aquatic checkbox is selected.
10. The data matching your 'Explore' criteria will automatically display in the Group
Summary view. You can switch to view records individually by clicking the
GroupSummary
'Records' button located under the top banner.
11. You can again filter or refine your Table view by typing in a filter in the header (i.e.,
"LOEC" under Endpoint) which will reduce the number of Records (red bar). Note:
If you export to CSV file from here, you will only get this subset of records, not all
original record output.
12. To use 'Explore' with the visualization feature, select the 'Plot View' button.
GroupSummary Records
13. There are 4 interactive figures to display ECOTOX Records which have exposure
concentrations (standardized to an equivalent of ppm (parts per million)).
a) Dur x Chem: Duration (in days) on x-axis, Exposure Concentration on y- axis,
Chemical for point shape and color
b) Durx Endpt: Duration (in days) on x-axis, Exposure Concentration on y- axis,
Endpoint for point shape and color
c) Effect x Chem: Effect Groups on x-axis, Exposure Concentration on y-axis,
Chemical for point shape and color
d) Custom Plot: y-axis can be set to Exposure Concentration or Duration (days),
x-axis and legend can be set to categorical fields such as Chemical, Species,
Effect, Endpoint, etc.
Note: Zoom in by drawing rectangle around area of interest. Turn Chemicals or Endpoints off and
on by clicking on name in legend. Hover over points of interest for more information. Click on
point to be directed to record in table below the figure
14. Simplified table below each figure shows subset of data for each record.
15. You can continue to refine the output with the Query filters on left hand side.
16. Click the blue 'View All Applied' button to view/export 'Explore' parameters applied.
View All Applied
17.Click the green "Export" button to download figure or simple table.
Note: Default output table does not include all fields. Return to 'Search' and apply
filter parameters to download complete data tables.
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APPENDIX C: ECOTOX KNOWLEDGEBASE OVERVIEW
Data Sources
The primary source of toxicity effect information in ECOTOX is from peer reviewed
literature that are identified through online computerized searches. Searches were
historically initiated with the 1970 publication year and continue through to the
present; in the last five years this has changed to have no date restrictions on the
literature searches. Comprehensive searches are designed to include the effect of
nearly all toxic substances on aquatic and terrestrial organisms within the scope of
each ECOTOX Knowledgebase systems' guidelines.
Commercial literature sources are continually evaluated for relevance to the ECOTOX
literature searches. The search strategy is evaluated regarding the success ratio of
each search. Additional literature sources include abstract journals, review
bibliographies, and the U.S. EPA library collections.
The abstracts obtained through computerized searches of abstracting databases are
screened to identify toxicity references applicable to aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
Those references pertinent to one or more of the databases 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, a reference number
is assigned for storage and retrieval purposes, and a final check for applicability and
duplication is made. A bibliographic sub-file stores the citations, and a reprint of each
publication is archived.
Publications used in ECOTOX usually contain unique data. For various reasons authors
may report the same data point in different publications. If the authors themselves
cross-reference the data, ECOTOX abstracts the data only once and notes the cross-
reference as part of the bibliographic citation. This type of cross-reference most
frequently occurs in the publication of a thesis and subsequent journal articles. If the
author does NOT acknowledge multiple publications of a single data point, it is likely this
data point will occur in ECOTOX as multiple records, each with a different citation. This
type of publication occurs most frequently when data is published in different sources
such as a textbook and journal article, an agency publication and a journal article, or a
regional journal and an international journal.
Toxicity test data are included unless the data have been cited as published elsewhere.
Data reported in review papers are abstracted from the original publication.
International publications may be reviewed by ECOTOX staff if either an English
abstract or a translated table of data is included. International cooperative efforts with
the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Russia
(Borok Institute) have been used to enhance review of the international literature.
Data obtained from independently compiled data files must meet the minimum data
requirements and quality assurance guidelines defined for each ECOTOX
Knowledgebase component. The key data fields that must be included are test
chemical name, test organism, test duration, effect, and effect concentration or
application rate. Documentation describing the test methods must be provided within
the publication. If tests are missing key parameters, the data are rejected for
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inclusion into ECOTOX.
No effort is made to locate unreported data (e.g., authors are not contacted, citations
referring to methods used are not obtained). During the incorporation of an electronic
data file, a quality assurance check of the CAS number, species scientific name, and
reference citation is completed. Data files that have been included in the aquatic
dataset are the U.S. EPA Duluth Lab fathead minnow acute toxicity database
(http://archive.epa.gov/med/med archive 03/web/html/prods pubs.html. Center for
Lake Superior Studies, University of Wisconsin-Superior, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, and
1990), and datasets from France, Germany, the Netherlands and Russia. ECOTOX
also includes the U.S. EPA OPP's Pesticide Ecotoxicity Database for both aquatic and
terrestrial toxicity tests. Appendix F contains additional information and contacts for
independently compiled data files.
Quality Assurance
Quality assurance procedures begin with literature acquisition and cataloging, and
continue through the chemical and species verification, the literature review process,
data entry, and data retrieval. The ECOTOX literature is abstracted by trained document
data curators. An intensive training period, a well-documented manual (U.S. EPA 2022),
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, and all documents are QA'd by more
experienced data curators. These reviews are compared and differences (if any) are
documented, discussed, and resolved by the data coordinator.
Test and Result Identification
Each reference included in ECOTOX may include multiple unique tests. A computer-
generated Test Number used to designate each unique test design. A unique test
design may be characterized by a new test chemical, test species, test location, or
exposure type. Additionally, there are experimental design parameters that will
influence a test scenario sufficiently to warrant an independent test number. Such
parameters include tests conducted at different test temperatures or conducted during
different seasons.
Each Test Number within a reference may include multiple effects and endpoints. A
separate line is used for each effect or endpoint from either a unique experimental
design or within one design scenario for statistically defined effects or endpoints. Each
of these lines is designated with a Result Number and is one data record in ECOTOX.
If no statistics are used to distinguish endpoints or effects and experimental designs
are similar, the data may be combined into one data record. Endpoints always require
a discrete line. Effects lacking an author reported endpoint may be combined based on
statistical representation by the author. Food chain effects are abstracted for
organisms at the first level of exposure.
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Aquatic Data Elements
Aquatic data includes toxic effect results from exposures of single chemicals to aquatic
organisms. Bioassays not included are water chemistry effects (e.g., pH), complex
effluents, chemical mixtures, and sediment studies that do not report a water
concentration. If a publication contains data for a single chemical besides one of the
above categories of toxicants, the paper is retained and only the single chemical data
are used in ECOTOX. Test organisms are limited to those that are exclusively aquatic.
Amphibian and insect data for purely aquatic life stages of the organism are included.
Information and data for terrestrial life stages of these organisms is included in the
terrestrial database. Classes of organisms associated with the aquatic environment
(e.g., birds, mammals, reptiles) are abstracted for the terrestrial database. Microbial
communities (bacteria and virus) are omitted from the aquatic database. Terrestrial
plants tested in hydroponic or nutrient solutions are abstracted for the terrestrial
database.
The data elements for each test are grouped by chemical, organism, exposure
conditions, and effect endpoint. The test chemical parameters describe the toxicant, the
associated CAS registry number, and the grade, purity and/or composition of the
toxicant. The test organism parameters define the type of organism and the life-stage
being tested. The test conditions identify the test water, test location, exposure type
and duration, control parameters, and basic water chemistry. The effect endpoint
parameters consist of a term to define the lethal, sublethal, or residue endpoint and the
corresponding test chemical concentration.
Toxicity test results are primarily reported for observations taken during the chemical
exposure. However, when results are reported only for the time period after the
exposure, i.e. recovery or delayed effects (called 'Post-Exposure Measurements' in
ECOTOX), the observation time is recorded (Observed Duration) and will be greater
than the Exposure Duration.
In some cases, this type of result is noted by using ain conjunction with the
endpoint/effect term, e.g., ~MOR for a post-exposure or delayed mortality effect.
Terrestrial Data Elements
Toxicity data includes toxic effect results from exposures of single chemicals to
terrestrial organisms. Only quantitative data are abstracted from the publication;
qualitative data are excluded. Graphical data may be recorded as ranges and are
reported by using <, > or ~ operators with the value.
Bioassays that are not included are contaminated soils, sediment studies and chemical
mixtures. If a publication contains data for a single chemical besides one of the above
categories of toxicants, the paper is retained and only the single chemical data are used
in ECOTOX. Test organisms are limited to those that are exclusively terrestrial.
The data elements for each test are grouped by chemical, organism, exposure
conditions, and effect endpoint. The test chemical parameters describe the toxicant, the
associated CAS registry number, and the grade, purity and/or composition of the
toxicant. The test organism parameters define the type of organism, organism source,
and the lifestage being tested. The test conditions identify the test location, exposure
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type and duration, control parameters, and basic soil parameters. The effect endpoint
parameters consist of a term to define the lethal, sublethal, or residue endpoint and the
corresponding test chemical concentration.
If the author does not report data for a terrestrial database field, the field will display a
"NR' (not reported).
The terrestrial data identifies sources of alternative data (domestic, laboratory animal or
plant toxicity and bioaccumulation information) when there is a paucity of information on
wildlife species. Animals associated with the aquatic environment that breathe using
lungs (e.g., ducks, whales) are included in the terrestrial database. Exposures to the
aquatic life stages of amphibians and insects are included in the aquatic database.
Decisions regarding the inclusion of animal terrestrial species are based on published
terrestrial wildlife toxicity standard methods and procedures documentation. The priority
for the animal portion of the database is wildlife avian species (e.g. mallard, pheasant or
bobwhite), mammalian species (e.g., meadow vole, deer mouse or mink), and
beneficial invertebrate species (e.g., earthworm, honey bee, leafcutter bee or alkali
bee). If data for other species including laboratory, domestic or non-beneficial
organisms are reported in a publication, data for all test species are abstracted for
ECOTOX inclusion.
Terrestrial plant data includes native, crop, or weed species. Terrestrial plants tested in
hydroponic or nutrient solutions are abstracted for the terrestrial database. Aquatic
plant exposures are recorded in the aquatic database portion of ECOTOX.
References
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,
Wl.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2022. GLTED Ecotoxicology Knowledgebase
System: ECOTOX Data Abstraction Guidelines (prepared by General Dynamic
Information Technology, Contract CIO-SP3, HHSN316201200013W, Task EP-G16H-
01256, SMAVCS3), Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN.
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APPENDIX D: SPECIES AND CHEMICAL VERIFICATION
Species Verification
The test organism is identified by the current scientific name as verified in the
taxonomic literature. For each species entry, the verified name, taxonomic hierarchy,
synonyms, and verification sources are kept on file for documentation purposes.
Taxonomic kingdoms are divided into Plantae, Animalia, Chromista, Monera,
Protista, Fungi and "Community". The taxonomic levels are verified by ITIS
(Integrated Taxonomic Information System), located at https://www.itis.gov. If the
taxonomic levels are not available with ITIS, other approved taxonomic sources are
used.
ECOTOX retains all species name synonyms that are no longer used for taxonomic
classification. Searches in ECOTOX can be done using the species synonym name,
however, output will contain the currently accepted species name.
Field studies may report results for a target community (e.g., benthic
macroinvertebrates) or for an entire enclosed ecosystem (e.g., system-level
primary productivity or respiration). If a community of organisms was tested, the
species grouping from the publication is reported. For example, benthic
invertebrates may be entered under the Genus Invertebrates and a community of
organisms may fall under the Genus Plankton.
For more information, please refer to the Species Verification section, linked from
the ECOTOX Help page under "ECOTOX Documentation."
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Predefined Special Interest Sources
The species of Special Interest Groups were compiled using the
following references:
Standard Test Species References (Updated Annually)
1. Amiard-Triquet, C., Amiard, J. C., and Mouneyrac, C. (2015). Aquatic Ecotoxicology -
Advancing Tools for Dealing with Emerging Risks. Kidlington, Oxford: Elsevier/Academic
Press. Print.
2. ASTM International - Environmental Assessment Standards and Risk Management Standards -
Biological Effects and Environmental Fate. Years 2012-2021.
3. EPA, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Harmonized Test Guidelines, Series
850, Ecological Effects Test Guidelines. Years 2012/2016.
4. EPA, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. (1994). ECO Update Catalogue of
Standard Toxicity Tests for Ecological Risk Assessment Publication 9345.0-051. Volume 2
Number2.
5. Nikinmaa, M. (2014). An Intro to Aquatic Toxicology. Waltham, MA: Elsevier/Academic Press.
Print.
6. OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) Test Guidelines. (2016).
OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 2: Effects on Biotic Systems. Years
1984-2021.
7. Rand, G. M. (2003). Fundamentals of aquatic toxicology: effects, environmental fate and risk
assessment - Second Edition. Ecological Services, Inc. New York, NY: Taylor and Francis
Group. Print.
U.S. Threatened and Endangered Species Reference (Updated Quarterly)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/pub/adHocSpeciesForm.jsp)
U.S. Invasive Species References (Updated Annually)
1. Swearingen, J., C. Bargeron. 2016 Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. University of
Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.
https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/distribution.cfm (https://www.invasive.org/species.cfm')
2. University of Georgia - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health -
https://www.invasive.org/south/index.html (https://www.invasive.org/species.cfm')
3. USDA Species Profiles List - https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/species-type
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Chemical Verification
A standardized identification number and name for each chemical recorded in the
database is used for consistency. Chemicals reported in the ECOTOX Knowledgebase
are cataloged by using a Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry number. If a CAS
registry number is not available for the test chemical, toxicity data cannot be included in
ECOTOX. Toxicants not included in ECOTOX are water chemistry effects (e.g., tests
based on hardness, pH, etc. as the tested toxicant), complex effluents, chemical
mixtures and biological toxicants. If the author states that a soil nutrient is added to
maintain test organism growth, the test is included. If the test includes a series of
nutrient doses and a toxicant to produce interactive effects, this is considered a mixture
and excluded.
Retrieval is made by using the CAS number, chemical name, or chemical list. The
Collective Index (CI) or International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)
name is used as the standardized name for storage and retrieval. A separate index file
is available for screening CAS numbers and chemical names used in ECOTOX. It is
recommended, especially for critical decision-making, that users refer to the original
publication to obtain additional test chemical information which may affect the context of
toxicity information retrieved from ECOTOX.
For more information, please refer to the Chemical Verification section, linked from
the ECOTOX Help page under "ECOTOX Documentation."
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APPENDIX E: ECOTOX DATA FIELD DESCRIPTIONS
All associated terms for these fields are located in the "ECOTOX Terms
Appendix", available linked from the ECOTOX Help page.
Data fields are listed for both aquatic and terrestrial. If the field is only available for one
database, this is noted (Aquatic only or Terrestrial only).
Bibliographic Fields
Author
Publication author name(s), if available.
Reference Number
Each publication abstracted for ECOTOX is assigned a unique ECOTOX reference number (also
called an ECOREF Number). These reference numbers appear in all default ECOTOX outputs.
Title
Publication title.
Source
Publication source or journal name.
Publication Year
Publication year.
Reference Citation
The reference number, author, publication year, title and source combined in one field.
Chemical Fields
CAS Number
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Number.
Chemical Name
CAS Collective Index Name.
Chemical DTXSID
Substance Identifier from the U.S. EPA's Distributed Structure-Searchable Toxicity (DSSTox)
database (searchable on the U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard).
Chemical Grade
Grade of chemical.
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Chemical Purity
Percent purity or active ingredient.
Chemical Formulation
Formulation of chemical.
Chemical Comment
Chemical formulation term, trade names, synonyms, isomer names.
Chemical Radiolabel
The isotope of a test or carrier chemical.
Chemical Carrier
Solvent used to dissolve toxicant in solution or positive control. Contains all carriers (up to three)
and all the associated information (CAS #|Chemical Name|Chemical Grade|Chemical
Formulation|Chemical Radiolabel|Chemical Characteristics|Chemical Purity).
Species Fields
Species ECOTOX Number
Unique number assigned by ECOTOX software.
Species Scientific Name
Currently accepted scientific name (genus, species).
Species Common Name
Species or taxonomic grouping common name(s).
Species NCBI TaxlD
Numerical taxonomy identified from National Center for Biotechnology
Information (NCBI) Taxonomy Database.
Organism Source
The source from which the test organism was obtained.
Organism Lifestage
Initial test organism lifestage. Lifestage of the organism at the time of
measurement is recorded in the Result Sample Unit field.
Organism Age
Initial age of the test organism.
Gender
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The sex of the test organisms included in the study.
When 'Both', observations may be reported combined or
separate by sex; when separate, sex associated with
measurement is included in the Result Sample Unit
field.
Organism Initial Weight
Initial weight of organism.
Organism Comment
Initial age, weight, length, developmental stage or cell concentration of test
organism.
Species Group
Names of predefined group(s) to which a species belongs. These include: Amphibians;
Insects/Spiders; Molluscs; Birds; Other Invertebrates; Reptiles; Crustaceans; Mammals;
Worms; Fish; Algae; Moss/Hornworts; Fungi; Flowers, Trees, Shrubs, Ferns; Standard
Test Species; US Threatened/Endangered Species; US Exotic/Nuisance.
Species Taxonomic Information
Organism classification hierarchy (Kingdom, Phylum/Division, Subphylum, Superclass,
Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species, Variety).
Kingdom
Divides all species into two kingdoms (plant or animal). The plant kingdom includes
Monera and Fungi species. A taxonomic group (e.g., aquatic community,
plankton) that has both plant and animal kingdoms into one result are included in both
plant and animal kingdom search. (Search option. Included in output with Species Taxonomic
Information.)
Test Condition Fields
Media Type
Aquatic - Freshwater (FW) tests include those 1) conducted in freshwater, reconstituted
water, distilled water, or tap water or 2) the organism habitat is exclusively freshwater.
Saltwater (SW) tests include those 1) conducted in natural or artificial seawater,
brackish water, or estuarine water or 2) the organism habitat is exclusively saline.
Note: If a salinity value of four parts per thousand is reported, it is considered a
freshwater test.
Terrestrial - Type of exposure media, (e.g., natural or artificial soil, hydroponic, filter
paper). If an aqueous exposure is conducted in pore water from a specific soil, the soil
parameters in the soil characteristics fields are reported (pH, CEC, OM, etc.). See
Appendix L. Exposure Media Terms in the "ECOTOX Terms Appendix" found under the
Help section of the website for more information.
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Test Location
Aquatic - A natural (Field N) study is an experiment conducted outdoors in a natural
water body or in an artificial water body that has a natural bottom substrate and
established aquatic communities (e.g. phytoplankton, zooplankton and fish). Outdoor
studies conducted in an artificial water body without a natural bottom substrate are
considered artificial studies (Field A). If the water body cannot be determined to be
natural or artificial it is abstracted as field unknown (Field U). All other studies are
considered laboratory (LAB) tests.
Terrestrial - The location or setting in which the experiment was conducted. For
example, a natural field study (Field N) is an experiment conducted outdoors in a
natural setting. The test organisms are sampled in the wild, e.g. population counts.
Outdoor studies conducted in a simulated environment are abstracted as an artificial
field study (Field A). Artificial field studies include organisms isolated from their
natural environment via an enclosure of some type, e.g. cages or fencing. If the
publication does not provide enough information to distinguish between Field A and
Field N, then use the term Field U to indicate that the field test type is unknown.
Laboratory tests (LAB) are conducted indoors under controlled laboratory conditions.
Study Duration
The Study Duration is the total time of the study, excluding pre-treatment times. In
cases where the observation time is the only duration reported, it is assumed that the
Study Duration is equivalent to the observation time (field: Observed Duration).
For post-exposure effects, Study Duration is the duration of the entire toxicant exposure
and post-exposure duration.
In some instances, a biological, or qualitative, time is used, such as study time reported
as "until harvest", "growing season" or "after the nth egg has been laid."
Author Reported and Standardized Duration
ECOTOX offers two output options for duration, the duration as the author reports in the
publication or duration that is converted to a standard unit (days).
Exposure Duration
The Exposure Duration is the time of actual exposure to the chemical. In cases where
the observation time is the only duration reported, it is assumed that the Exposure
Duration is equivalent to the longest observation time (field: Observed Duration).
For most field studies the Exposure and Study Duration are identical because it is
difficult to determine when the exposure ends. For lab studies the Exposure and Study
Duration may be different, such as when effect measurements were reported from a
post-exposure period. For lab studies with injection, topical, or dietary (e.g.
intraperitoneal^ or by gavage) exposure, Exposure and Study Duration are typically
the same.
For a fluctuating or intermittent dosing experiment, the total exposure time is recorded,
with exposure times and intervals between dosages reported in the Application
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Frequency field.
In some instances, a biological, or qualitative, time is used, such as an exposure time
reported as "until hatch", "growing season" or "after the nth egg has been laid".
Author Reported and Standardized Duration
ECOTOX offers two output options for duration: the duration as the author reports in the
publication or duration that is converted to a standard unit (days).
Exposure Type
The mechanism by which the toxicant was applied.
Aquatic - Exposures must either be aqueous, through diet, by injection, or in vitro.
Terrestrial - The mechanism by which the toxicant was applied. Organisms are typically
exposed to toxicants through diet, injection, topical, in vitro or environmental routes. On
occasion, an exposure may be through multiple routes (e.g., topical and oral).
Exposure types are searched by major exposure groups. However, a more specific
exposure type is displayed in your output (e.g., searching on 'Intercutaneous' is found
under the Injection exposure type).
Habitat
Indicates whether the study was completed in an aquatic or terrestrial
environment. For Terrestrial studies, the habitat can either be soil or non-soil.
Aquatic studies are all in water (aqua).
Chemical Analysis
Quantitative analysis of water in test chambers or field sites is considered a measured
concentration. Concentrations that are not analyzed in test chambers or field sites are
considered unmeasured (nominal).
Application Frequency
Author reported frequency of dosing application.
Study Type
Used to identify field simulation studies. Examples of field study types include
exposures conducted in a mesocosm, microcosm or enclosure.
Test Type
Author reported test type for the toxicity study (e.g. ACUTE, CHRONIC, ELS (Early
Life Stage), FLC (Full Life Cycle), or Generational).
Test Method
Denotes the test methodology used for the study, e.g. U.S.EPA or OECD guideline.
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Control
Control information for the reported effect may be presented in the text, in a graph, or in
table format. ECOTOX does not make assessments whether the controls were
satisfactory or insufficient (e.g., replicates run, death of control organisms), but rather
documents author reported controls.
Number of Doses
The total number of exposure doses or concentrations, including the control(s), for
each independent test design.
Doses
For all aquatic reports and terrestrial browser viewable, the individual doses used in the
study are summarized here.
For Terrestrial Excel and delimited reports, this data field is not included. Maximum
and minimum dose levels are found in the Terrestrial field 'Dose Max' and 'Dose
Min'.
Experimental Design
Additional study information is included here. For field tests, this could include exposure
system dimensions (e.g. pond or lake depth, cage or enclosure size), type of artificial
substrate, and physical or chemical water chemistry parameters. For laboratory studies,
this could include information about media, test chambers, and number of replicates.
Exposure Sample Number
Sample number reflects the initial sample size for each exposure dose, i.e., the number
of test organisms per treatment.
Ionic Fraction
For ionizing substances such as metals, if authors report the concentration based on
the ionic form of the compound, this field has the ionic fraction (e.g., organotin as Sn).
Test Result Parameters
References included in ECOTOX may include multiple toxicity tests and
measurements for multiple types of effects, each with one or more associated
endpoints (statistical quantification or calculation of the observed effect, e.g., lethal
concentration to 50% of test organisms [LC50], no-observed-effect concentration
[NOEC], lowest-observed-effect concentration [LOEC]). Within each test (denoted
with a Test Number), each unique effect and/or endpoint is captured in a different
record (denoted with a Result (Record) Number). For example, exposures to Zinc and
Copper are separate tests, and the LC50 for each of these tests will be a separate
line (data record).
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Test Number
A computer-generated number used to designate each unique test design. A unique
test design may be characterized by a new test chemical, test species, test location,
or exposure type. Additionally, there are experimental design parameters that will
influence a test scenario sufficiently to warrant an independent test number. Such
parameters include tests conducted at different test temperatures or conducted during
different seasons. There can be many Test Numbers for each ECOTOX Reference
Number.
Result (Record) Number
A computer-generated number used to designate each unique result within a Test
Number. A separate line is used for each effect or endpoint from either a unique
experimental design or within one design scenario for statistically defined effects or
endpoints. Each of these lines is designated with a Result Number. If no statistics are
used to distinguish endpoints or effects and experimental designs are similar, the data
may be combined into one data record. Endpoints always require a discrete line.
Effects lacking an author reported endpoint may be combined based on statistical
representation by the author. There can be many Result Numbers for each Test
Number, and many Test Numbers for each ECOTOX Reference Number (ECOREF
Number). Within the Aquatic and Terrestrial databases, each Result Number is a data
record.
Endpoint
Endpoint information is abstracted if it is reported by the author. For the purposes of
ECOTOX, an endpoint is defined as the quantification of an observed effect obtained
through statistics or other means of calculation for the express purpose of comparing
equivalent effects (e.g., LC50). Many terrestrial plant tests do not have associated
endpoints. Prior to 1996, terrestrial plant database structure allowed only results based
on percent change from control.
An asterisk (*) denotes the reported endpoint acronym provided was modified to
conform to the standard database acronym terminology. For example, if the author
reported a TLM, the endpoint was recorded as an LC50* The author reported
acronym should appear in EE Remark field.
Effect
Effect information must be provided by the author in order for the test to be included.
For ECOTOX Knowledgebase purposes, effect is defined as the observation of a
response resulting from the action of a chemical stressor (e.g., mortality). The listing of
effect measurements can be found by using the Browse Effects index, ECOTOX
Terms List or "ECOTOX Terms Appendix" (includes many detailed measurement
definitions).
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ECOTOX internally categorizes all observed effects under at least one of eleven
major effect groups:
Accumulation (ACC) - Process by which chemicals are taken into and stored in the
organism. Includes lethal body burden.
Behavior (BEH) - Activity of an organism represented by three subgroups, avoidance
(AVO), general behavior (BEH) and feeding behavior (FDB). All effects related to
reproductive behavior are listed under the Reproduction effect group.
Biochemistry (BCM) - Biotransformation or metabolism of chemical compounds, modes
of toxic action, and biochemical organism responses. Biochemical has three
subgroups, biochemical (BCM), enzyme (ENZ) and hormone (HRM) effects.
Cellular (CEL) - Changes in structure and chemical composition of cells and tissues in
organisms. Three cellular subgroups include cellular (CEL) effects, genetics (GEN)
and histology (HIS).
Growth (GRO) - Encompasses individual organism weight, length, development and
morphology. Development (DVP) covers effects on tissue organization in growing early
life stages. Growth (GRO) represents length and weight changes at any point in the life
cycle. Morphology (MPH) measurements and endpoints address the structure (bones)
and form (organ/tissue development) of an organism at any stage of its life history.
Mortality (MOR) - Death of individuals or measurements that indicate death.
Physiology (PHY) - Basic cell and tissue activities. Subgroups include injury (INJ),
immunity (IMM) and intoxication (ITX).
Population (POP) - Effects on species or taxonomic group occupying the same area at
a given time.
Reproduction (REP) - Reproductive behavior, physiology and care of progeny
measurements. Offspring development effects are found in Growth effect group.
Ecosystem (SYS) - Ecosystem processes (PRS) include community structure and
function. Includes microbial processes.
Multiple Effect (MLT) - Change in more than one effect when data were reported as one result.
No Effect (NER) - The author reported an endpoint, but not a specific effect. This term will only
exist on a data transferred reference (OPP database (Reference number 344)) and is not a
searchable Effect term.
Effect Measurement
The specific parameter being measured for the observed effect. For instance, a Growth (GRO)
effect, would include specific measurements of weight or length (WGHT or LGTH). An Enzyme
(ENZ) effect would include specific measurements of catalase (CTLS) or peroxidase (PODA).
Trend
The observed or measured response (effect measurement) trend as compared to the
control is abstracted when textually or graphically reported.
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Response Site
A response site or tissue term is used to identify specific body, organ or tissue effect
sites for associated effect measurement.
EEComment
This field contains additional endpoint and/or effect text as described by the author.
Effect % (Effect Percent)
Effect is reported as a raw percent value or percent change, e.g., percent of the total
population or percent increase or decrease. The term "COM" is used to denote several
effect measurements or response sites reporting data results as percentages.
Statistical Significance
Statistical analysis as compared to the control(s) in the test.
Statistical Level
The level of significance (e.g. test statistic) is recorded when the author has reported
statistical analysis in the test. Terminology for significance level may be presented as: p
=, p<, or alpha value. The terminologies are equivalent and are generally in the range of
0.001 to 0.10.
Bioconcentration
The bioconcentration factor (BCF) or bioaccumulation factor (BAF) is the degree to which a
chemical can be concentrated in the tissues of an organism in the environment as a result of
exposure to chemicals at steady state during the uptake phase. The BCF/BAF is a value which is
equal to the concentration of a chemical in one or more tissues of the exposed organism divided
by the average exposure concentration of a chemical in the test. A bioconcentration endpoint is
recorded as either wet (or unknown) or as dry weight (BCF and BCFD, respectively). It is usually
reported with units of L/kg. If a unit cannot be determined from the information in the paper or it is
unitless, RA (ratio) is used for the unit. For Terrestrial Excel and delimited outputs only, BCF or
BAF are captured in the Observed Response field.
Steady State
Denotes if the residue/bioconcentration/bioaccumulation data at the time of the result is at steady
state.
Concentration Type
Concentrations based on the active ingredient or formulation, or as the total, un-ionized
or dissolved concentration, are identified.
Endpoint Assignment
Used to identify the source of the effect or endpoint information as reported specifically
by the author (P), or assigned by an ECOTOX reviewer (R)). The reviewer only assigns
the endpoint if the author has provided the statistical analysis that support the endpoint.
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Concentration/Dose
The concentration or dose reflects either the range of concentrations tested or, if there
is an endpoint reported, the concentration associated with the endpoint. The confidence
interval or range is recorded when available. If an asterisk (*) denotes the concentration
has been recalculated from the author's original units to the standard concentration
(ug/L) needed for plot view or from the metal compound to the active ionic form.
In certain cases, the water concentration is routinely reported as active form of the test
chemical. For metal salts, the concentration is generally expressed as ug ion/L (e.g.,
HgCI is expressed as Hg+). Since 1998, the data distinguish between the metal
compound and the metal ion in the Ion field. Data abstracted prior to this date may have
comments regarding ionic fraction in Comment field.
Author Reported and Standardized Concentration
ECOTOX offers two output options for concentrations: the concentration as the author
reports in the publication, and (for Aquatic only) the concentration that is converted to
a standard unit ratio equivalent to ppm (mg/l, mg/kg bdwt, or mg/kg food), if possible.
ECOTOX unit conversion logic can be found here:
https://cfpub.epa.gov/ecotox/help.cfm.
Result Sample Number
The sample number reflects the sample size (e.g., 10 embryos) that the observation or
response value is based on at each exposure level. Sample units correspond to the
sample number (i.e., the unit on which the measurement or endpoint is based).
For generational studies and measurements based on the progeny, F1, F2, etc. are
noted in the sample unit field.
Observed Duration
The Observed Duration is the time at which an effect measurement was
observed/measured and reported (for example, a 24-hour LC50). If the observation
time is not reported or unable to be explicitly determined, Exposure Duration is
recorded with a less than or equal to (<=) symbol.
For post-exposure effects, the recorded observation time will be greater than the Exposure
Duration.
Author Reported and Standardized Duration
ECOTOX offers two output options for duration: the duration as the author reports in the
publication and or the duration that is converted to a standard unit (days).
Intake Rate
Denotes the amount of food taken by the organism.
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Result Percent (%) Dry/Wet Weight
If the effect measurement is based on dry (D) or wet (W) weight basis, it is denoted
in this field. If the percent moisture is reported, record the percentage value also (
e.g., W75%). In the Aquatic Excel and delimited output, the dry (D) or wet (W)
designation is in a separate field: Dry/Wet. In the Terrestrial Excel and delimited
output, the dry (D) or wet (W) designation is in a separate field: Media
Measurement (wet/dry).
Result Percent Lipid
Percent lipid in the whole organism or response site.
Species Final Weight
Weight of the organism at the time of observation.
Other Effects
Comments regarding other toxicity tests or effects reported in the publication that does
not meet ECOTOX minimum data requirements are recorded in this field. Commas
separate each distinct term and the text ends with a double slash (II).
Result Comment
Additional information related to the endpoint or effect response. Appendix G contains
header terms used to link the comment to a specific ECOTOX field.
General Comment
This field contains additional information about any data field that does not fit in the
space provided. A complete list of comment identifiers that link to the associated field is
documented in Appendix Gl: Comment Field Header Names.
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Water Chemistry Parameters (Aquatic only)
These measured values pertain either to the test water chemistry (preferred) or the
dilution water chemistry values as defined by the Standard Methods for the Examination
of Water and Wastewater (https://www.standardmethods.oral). If it is necessary to report
the dilution water chemistry, this is denoted by an asterisk (*).
Alkalinity - Expressed as reported by author.
Calcium - Expressed as reported by author
Chlorine - Expressed as reported by author
Conductivity - Expressed as reported by author
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon - Expressed as reported by author
Dissolved Oxygen - Expressed as reported by author. A "SAT" term denotes 100% saturation
Hardness - Expressed as reported by author. If the author only reports the terms
"hard" or "soft", these terms are recorded
Humic Acid - Expressed as reported by author
Organic Carbon Type and Value - Expressed as reported by author as Carbon. (T=
total, P= Particulate, D= Dissolved)
pH - pH value
Potassium - Expressed as reported by author
Salinity - Expressed as reported by author
Sodium - Expressed as reported by author
Sulfate - Expressed as reported by author
Sulfur - Expressed as reported by author
Temperature - Expressed as reported by author
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Outdoor Test Parameters (Field only)
Sub-Habitat Term/Description
A classification of the test study area (e.g. desert, estuarine, lacustrine, tundra).
The aquatic field tests include the Cowardin* system level classification to describe
major aquatic systems.
*Cowardin, L.M., V.Carter, F.C.Goletand E.T.LaRoe. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater
Habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, FWS/OBS-79, 31 p. (
https://www.fws.qov/wetlands/documents/Classification-of-Wetlands-and-Deepwater-Habitats-of-the-
United-States.pdf)
Sub-Habitat Comment
The author's description of the test study area (e.g. brackish marsh, wooded swamp, boreal
forest, citrus orchard).
Latitude/Longitude
The geographic location, latitude and longitude, of the test site.
Substrate Term/Description
The bottom substrate is recorded using standard substrate definitions or as author reports.
Water Depth
Water depth of the experimental system.
Geographic Term
The standardized name based on FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards)
code, of the country, or United States and Canadian state/province where the test was
performed is displayed. You can view FIPS documentation at:
http://www.itl.nist.gov/fipspubs/fip10-4.htm
Geographic Location
Contains general text about the test site specific geographic identifiers (e.g., lake, river,
bay, field station or city) where the study was performed.
Application Type
The method of application of the chemical for an aquatic species in a field study.
Application Rate
This field contains the application rate value and the units. If an exposure concentration
is not reported, the application rate must be reported. Application rate units may be
recalculated only if the denominator is not equal to one (e.g. 5 g/2.5 ac).
Chemical Half-Life
The test chemical half-life in the system.
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Application Date/Season
The application date is recorded the time of initial exposure. This field includes the
actual date, a partial date or a season. The format is MO-DA-YR. Examples: 12-01-93,
01-00-75, 00-00-64. If one pond is exposed multiple times, only the first application date
is recorded. If the calendar year date is not reported, but a season is, the season
(Northern Hemisphere) of initial application of the chemical is reported.
Terrestrial Only Parameters
Test Comment
Additional information related to methodology or techniques used in the experimental
design. This is a concatenated field and can include comments from Experimental
Design, Organism Source, Duration, Control, and Other Effects. Appendix G
contains header terms used to link the comment to a specific ECOTOX field.
Exposure Comment
Additional information related to dose methodology or techniques used in the test. This includes
Dose Comments.
Observed Response Mean/Min/Max
For Terrestrial Excel and delimited outputs only, bioconcentration factor (BCF) or
bioaccumulation factor (BAF) data will be recorded in this field. These records are
associated with 'Residue' Effect Measurement and 'BCF' or 'BAF' Endpoint. See
Bioconcentration definition. For other effects and endpoints in the Terrestrial Excel and
delimited outputs, this field repeats the value(s) captured in the concentration field
(range of concentrations or the concentration associated with the endpoint). See
Concentration/Dose definition.
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Soil Parameters (Terrestrial only)
Temperature
Expressed as reported by author.
Soil Type
The classification name of the natural soil or commercial name of the artificial soil used
in the study. If the classification name is not included, the type of soil is recorded using
the author's terminology, e.g., forest soil, sandy loam soil, arboreal coniferous soil.
Soil Sand %, Soil Silt %, Soil Clay %
The soil texture is stated using percentages of sand, silt and/or clay. Bentonite,
kaolinite or montmorillonite etc., are reported as clay.
Soil pH
The pH of the test media is recorded. If the pH of the treated media is not presented,
but the pH value is stated for the untreated or acclimation media, an asterisk (*) is
denoted. If the pH of a specific soil type is not given in the publication, a search is
made of the USDA/NRCS National Cooperative Soil Survey (USA) web site
(http://soils.usda.gov/) may be found for the specific soil series.
Media Organic Matter
If organic matter is reported for the untreated or acclimation media, it will be displayed
with an asterisk (*). If the organic matter of a specific soil type is not provided in the
publication, information from the USDA/NRCS National Cooperative Soil Survey (USA)
is used for the specific soil series.
Media Moisture
The percentage of moisture in the test media is recorded. If moisture is reported for the
untreated or acclimation media, this moisture percentage is recorded and denoted it
with an asterisk (*).
Media Cation Exchange Capacity
The media cation exchange capacity is recorded. If the cation exchange capacity is
reported for the untreated or acclimation media, this value is denoted with an asterisk.
Soil Dose Measured
The toxicant concentration that was measured in the soil. However, the exposure
dose value may or may not reflect the measured values. The Chemical Analysis field
will denote if the exposure dose value is based on the measured values.
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APPENDIX F: INDEPENDENTLY COMPILED DATA FILES
Some independently compiled data sets have been transferred into ECOTOX from
external sources. The data sets must meet the ECOTOX data parameter and quality
assurance guidelines.
The U.S. EPA Duluth laboratory data set includes the Acute Toxicity of Organic
Chemicals file which contains data for a single test species (30-day fathead minnow).
The U.S. EPA Office of Toxic Substances is acknowledged for long-term support in the
generation of all acute toxicity data for organic chemicals. All test results, including data
not available on-line, have been compiled in five volumes titled: Acute Toxicities of
Organic Chemicals to Fathead Minnows (Pimephales promelas), available from the
Center for Lake Superior Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin, Superior, Wl.
International cooperative efforts with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (Borok Institute)
were conducted to enhance the review of the International literature. These efforts
resulted in digital data files from France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Russia
received in the early 1990s and incorporated into ECOTOX.
The Office of Pesticide Programs' Pesticide Ecotoxicity Database (formerly
Environmental Effects Database) is a compilation of the toxic effects data for registered
pesticides. These data have been reviewed and categorized as acceptable for
fulfillment of pesticide registration and re-registration guideline requirements as
explained under FIFRA Subdivision E, Parts 158.145 and 158.150. Data for the
Pesticide Ecotoxicity Database are drawn from several sources. The major portion of
the data is derived from actual Agency reviews of toxicological studies conducted by
commercial laboratories and submitted by pesticide companies in support of their
products. The U.S. EPA conducts audits of these laboratories on a periodic basis
through the U.S. EPA Office of Compliance and Monitoring. A second major source of
data entries is the numerous studies conducted by U.S. EPA, USDA, and U.S. FWS
laboratories over the last 25 years. The Office of Pesticide Programs is actively
updating this database. Updates will be incorporated into ECOTOX on an on-going
basis, starting with the acute Honeybee (Apis mellifera) and Bumblebee (Bombus
terrestris) toxicity data (updated in ECOTOX in December 2020).
The U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Columbia Environmental
Research Center (CERC) located in Columbia, Missouri
(https://www.usas.aov/centers/cerc) database summarizes the results from aquatic
acute toxicity tests conducted by this research facility. The acute toxicity test provides a
relative starting point for hazard assessment of contaminants and is required for federal
chemical registration programs such as the Federal Insecticide Fungicide Rodenticide
Act (PL 80-104) as amended by the Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act of
1972 (7 U.S.C. 136-136y) and the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (PL 94-469).
The database was initially developed in 1986 by Foster L. Mayer and Mark R. Ellersieck
for 4,901 acute toxicity tests toxicity tests conducted by CERC since 1965 with 410
chemicals and 66 species of aquatic animals. A report by Mayer and Ellersieck (1986)
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ECOTOX 5.5 User Guide
provides an interpretation of the original 4,901 toxicity tests which utilizes various
statistical approaches to make taxonomic comparisons, and to assess the degree to
which various factors (static versus flow-through, age of test solutions, pH, temperature,
water hardness, and diet) affect toxicity {Manual of Acute Toxicity: Interpretation and
Data Base for 410 Chemicals and 66 Species of Freshwater Animals, F.L. Mayer and
M.R. Ellersieck, United States Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Resource Publication 160, 1986). This publication is commonly referred to as the "Gold
Book".
The available data sets, data, institution address and contacts are listed below:
Institution Contact Information
Data Summary and
Reference Numbers
EPA: Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity Database (GLTED-Duluth MN)
To obtain hard copies of the University of Wisconsin-Superior (UWS)
volumes contact:
University of Wisconsin/ Lake Superior Research Institute
PO Box 2000
Superior, Wl 54880
Contact: Matt TenEyck
E-mail: MTenEyck@uwsuper.edu
Phone: 715-394-8160
For technical information on the database contact:
U.S. EPA/ORD/CCTE/GLTED
Contact: Jennifer Olker
E-mail: olker.iennifer@eDa.aov
5 references (#3217,
12447, 12448, 12858,
12859)
1231 aquatic records
French (OECD-IRCHA)
Ecotoxicology Department, INERIS
Rue Lavoisier, B.P. 1
F-91710 Vert Le Petit
France
Most recent contact:
htto://www.ineris.fr/
Contact: Dr. Roger Cabridenc
Phone: 33-1-45960956; Fax: 33-1-45960957
13 references (#20, 3397,
3516, 3517, 3518, 3519,
3520,3521,5161,6771,
9170,10724,15300)
256 aquatic records
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ECOTOX 5.5 User Guide
Institution Contact Information
Data Summary and
Reference Numbers
German (OECD)
Umweltbundesamt, Federal Environmental Agency
Dienstgebaude Berlin-Mitte
Mauerstrabe 45-52
0-1080 Berlin Germany
Worlitzer Platz 1
06844 Dessau-RoGlau
Germany
Most recent contacts:
Telephone: +49-340-2103-0
Fax: +49-340-2103-2285
Email: Gerlinde.knetsch@uba.de
or:
Dieter Schudoma
German Environment Agency
Section IV 2.4: Water-hazardous substances/ Ecotoxicology laboratory
Schichauweg 58,
12307 Berlin
Tel: (+49-30) 8903 4225
Fax: (+49-30) 8903 4233
Email: dieter.schudoma@uba.de
190 references (citation
refers to OECDG
Database)
11511 aquatic records
1857 terrestrial records
Dutch (OECD)
National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection
(RIVM/ACT)
PO Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven
The Netherlands
httD://rivm.nl/en/
Most recent contact:
Contact: Dr. Hans Canton
E-mail: ecocr@sb615.rivm.nl
17 references (#5180,
5331,5333, 5336, 5337,
5356,5367,5370, 5374,
5375,5378, 5390, 5400,
5411,5414,11039,
11044)
1992 aquatic records
Russia
Borok Institute, Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Academy of Sciences
152742 Borok, Nekouz, Yaroslavsky Region
Russian Republic
htto://www.ibiw.ru/
Most recent contact:
Contact: Victor Komov
E-mail: vkomov(®ibiw.varoslavl.ru
56 references
263 aquatic records
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ECOTOX 5.5 User Guide
Institution Contact Information
Data Summary and
Reference Numbers
EPA: Office of Pesticides Program Database (OPP)
(Pesticide Ecotoxicity Database -formerly Ecological Effects Database)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Pesticide Programs
Environmental Fate and Effects Division,
Ecological Effects Branch
401 M St. SW
Washington, DC 20460
httDs://www.eDa.aov/Desticide-contacts/office-Desticide-Droarams-contacts-
Reference #344
16,956 aquatic records
17,681 terrestrial records
Reference #184644
(Bee Studies)
4,225 terrestrial records
division-and-tooic
Contact: Houbao Li
E-mail: Li.Houbao@epa.gov
USGS Acute Toxicity Database (Mayer & Ellersieck, 1986 - commonly
referred to as the "Gold Book")
Columbia Environmental Research Center
U.S. Geological Survey
4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, Missouri 65201
Phone: 573-875-5399
(http://www.cerc.usqs.qov/data/acute/acute.html)
Contact: Linda Sappington
E-mail: linda saDDinaton@usas.aov
For data interpretation contact:
Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division
Duluth, Minnesota 55806
Phone:218-529-5011
Contact: Dale Hoff
E-mail: hoff.dalle(S)eDa.aov
1 reference (#6797)
8761 aquatic records
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ECOTOX 5.5 User Guide
APPENDIX G: COMMENT FIELD HEADER NAMES
Aquatic Comment Abbreviations
Comment headers codes are used to link additional data provided to the primary
database field.
Header Abbreviation
Associated Field Name
ALK
Alkalinity
AP TY
Application Type
AP SEAS
Application Season
AP DATE
Application Date
AP RATE
Application Rate
AP FREQ
Application Frequency
BCF
Bioconcentration
CARRIER
Carrier or Solvent
CHAR
Chemical Comment
CL
Chlorine Value and Unit
COMPEP
Companion Endpoint
CONC
Concentration
COND
Conductivity
CONTR
Control
DEPTH
Water Depth
DNUM
Number of Doses
DO
Dissolved Oxygen
DOSES
Individual Concentration Value and Unit
ETIME
Exposure Time and Unit
FO
Chemical Formulation
FW, SW
Freshwater/Saltwater Exposure Media
GRADE
Chemical Grade
HAB
Habitat Description
HALF
Half Life
HARD
Hardness
HMA
Humic Acid Value and Unit
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Header Abbreviation
Associated Field Name
In EE Comment
Endpt (Endpoint)
In EE Comment
Measurement
In EE Comment
Effect
INTAKE
Food Intake Rate and Unit
LAB, FIELD
Location
LAT
Latitude
LD
Percent Lipid
LEVEL
Statistical Level
LIFESTG
Organism Lifestage
LOC
Location
LONG
Longitude
MSMT
Effect Measurement
NA
Sodium Value and Unit
ORG C
Organic Carbon
PH
PH
POT
Potassium Value and Unit
PURITY
Chemical Purity
RADIO
Chemical Radiolabel
SAL IN
Salinity
SAMPN
Sample Number and Unit
SEX
Gender
SIGNIF
Significance
SITE
Response Site
S04
Sulfate Value and Unit
SOLVCHAR
Chemical Carrier Comment
SOLVFO
Chemical Carrier Formulation
SOLVGRADE
Chemical Carrier Grade
SOLVPURITY
Chemical Carrier Purity
SOURCE
Organism Source
STST
Steady State
STYPE
Study Type
SUBSTR
Substrate Comment
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Header Abbreviation
Associated Field Name
SULF
Sulfur Value and Unit
TEMP
Temperature
TESTID
Test Number
TIME
Exposure Time
TREND
Effect Trend
TMETH
Test Method
TYPE
Exposure Type
WTAT
Weight at Time of Result
WTINT
Initial Body Weight
Terrestrial Comment Abbreviations
Comment headers codes are used to link additional data provided to the primary
database field.
Header Abbreviations
Associated Field Name
ANALYSIS
Chemical Analysis
AP DATE
Application Date
AP FREQ
Application Frequency
AP RATE
Application Rate
AP SEAS
Application Season
CEC
Media Cation Exchange Capacity
CHAR
Chemical Comments
COMPEP
Companion Endpoint
CONCTYPE
Concentration Type
CONTR
Control
DNUM
Number of Doses
DOSE/ DUNIT
Exposure Dose and Unit,
DOSES
Individual Concentrations Value and Unit
DW
Dry or Wet Weight
EDES
Experimental Design
EFCT
Effect
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Header Abbreviations
Associated Field Name
EFCT%
Effect Percent
ENDPT
Endpoint Assigned
ETIME
Exposure Duration
FO
Chemical Formulation
GEO
Geographic Term
HABCODE
Habitat Term
HABITAT
Habitat
INTAKE
Intake Rate and Unit
ION
Ionic Fraction
LAT
Latitude
LD
Percent Lipid
LIFESTG/ AGE
Lifestage/Age
LOC
Test Location
LONG
Longitude
MEDIA
Media Type
MOIST
Media Moisture
MSMT
Effect Measurement
OCHAR
Organism Comment
OEF
Other Effects
OM
Media Organic Matter
OTIME
Observation Time
PC, CARRIER
Chemical Name, Type
PH
Media pH
RADIO
Chemical Radiolabel
RSITE
Response Site
RVALUE /RUNIT
Observed Response Value/ Unit
SAMPN/ NUNIT
Sample Number and Unit
SEX
Gender
SIGNIF
Statistical Significance
SOIL
Soil Type
SOURCE
Organism Source
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Header Abbreviations
Associated Field Name
STIME
Study Duration
STST
Steady State
STYPE
Study Type
TEMP
Temperature
TEXTURE
Soil Texture
TREND
Effect Trend
TYPE
Exposure Type
TMETH
Test Method
WTAT
Weight at Time of Result
WTINT
Initial Body Weight
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APPENDIX H: DELIMITED OUTPUT HEADER NAMES
Aquatic Report Output Fields
A forward slash (/) within a field refers to an associated comment in a separate field.
Users should refer to the full publication for proper interpretation.
A/ote: OP = Operator (>, >=, <. =<. =)
Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Header Name Definition
Alk. (7 fields)
Alkalinity Mean Op
Alkalinity Mean Operator
Alkalinity Mean
Alkalinity Mean Value
Alkalinity Min Op
Alkalinity Minimum Operator
Alkalinity Min
Alkalinity Minimum Value
Alkalinity Max Op
Alkalinity Maximum Operator
Alkalinity Max
Alkalinity Maximum Value
Alkalinity Units
Alkalinity Units
Appl. Date
Application Date
Application Date
Appl. Freq. (7 fields)
Application Frequency Mean Op
Application Frequency Mean Operator
Application Frequency Mean
Application Frequency Mean Value
Application Frequency Min Op
Application Frequency Minimum Operator
Application Frequency Min
Application Frequency Minimum Value
Application Frequency Max Op
Application Frequency Maximum
Operator
Application Frequency Max
Application Frequency Maximum Value
Application Frequency Units
Application Frequency Units
Appl. Rate (2 fields)
Application Rate
Application Units
Application Rate
Application Units
Appl. Seas. (2 fields)
Application Season
Application Season Description
Application Season
Application Season Description
Appl. Type
Application Type
Application Type
Author
Author
Author
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Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Header Name Definition
BCF (21 fields)
BCF1 Value Op
First Bioconcentration Factor Mean
Operator
Note: The Concentration
Type determines the
fraction measured in BCF1
and BCF 2.
BCF1 Value
First Bioconcentration Factor Mean Value
BCF1 Min Op
First Bioconcentration Factor Minimum
Operator
BCF1 Min
First Bioconcentration Factor Minimum
Value
BCF1 Max Op
First Bioconcentration Factor Maximum
Operator
BCF1 Max
First Bioconcentration Factor Maximum
Value
BCF1 Unit
First Bioconcentration Factor Unit
BCF2 Value Op
Second Bioconcentration Factor Mean
Operator
BCF2 Value
Second Bioconcentration Factor Mean
BCF2 Min Op
Second Bioconcentration Factor
Minimum Operator
BCF2 Min
Second Bioconcentration Factor
Minimum Value
BCF2 Max Op
Second Bioconcentration Factor
Maximum Operator
BCF2 Max
Second Bioconcentration Factor
Maximum Value
BCF2 Unit
Second Bioconcentration Factor
Unit
BCF3 Value Op
Third Bioconcentration Factor Mean
Operator
BCF3 Value
Third Bioconcentration Factor Mean
BCF3 Min Op
Third Bioconcentration Factor Minimum
Operator
BCF3 Min
Third Bioconcentration Factor Minimum
Value
BCF3 Max Op
Third Bioconcentration Factor Maximum
Operator
BCF3 Max
Third Bioconcentration Factor Maximum
Value
BCF3 Unit
Third Bioconcentration Factor Unit
Calcium Mean
Calcium Mean Value
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Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Header Name Definition
Calcium (7 fields)
Calcium Mean Op
Calcium Mean Operator
Calcium Mean
Calcium Mean Value
Calcium Min Op
Calcium Minimum Operator
Calcium Min
Calcium Minimum Value
Calcium Max Op
Calcium Maximum Operator
Calcium Max
Calcium Maximum Value
Calcium Units
Calcium Units
CAS#
CAS Number
Test Chemical Abstract Services Registry
Number
Chem. DTXSID
Chemical DTXSID
Test Chemical DSSTox Substance
Identifier
Chem. Anal.
Chemical Analysis
Chemical Analysis
Chemical Carrier
Chemical Carrier
Contains all carriers (up to three) and all
the associated information (CAS
#|Chemical Name|Chemical
Grade|Chemical Formulation|Chemical
Radiolabel|Chemical
Characteristics|Chemical Purity).
Chem. Comment
Chemical Comment
Test Chemical Comment
Chem. Form.
Chemical Formulation
Chemical Formulation
Chem. Grade
Chemical Grade
Chemical Grade
Chem. Half Life (7 fields)
Chemical Half Life Mean OP
Chemical Half Life Mean Operator
Chemical Half Life Mean
Chemical Half Life Mean
Half Life Min OP
Half Life Minimum Operator
Half Life Min
Half Life Minimum
Half Life MaxOP
Half Life Maximum Operator
Half Life Max
Half Life Maximum
Half Life Unit
Half Life Unit
Chemical
Chemical Name
Chemical Name
Chem. Pur. (6 Fields)
Chemical Purity Mean OP
Chemical Purity Mean Operator
Chemical Purity Mean
Chemical Purity Mean
Chemical Purity Min OP
Chemical Purity Minimum Operator
Chemical Purity Min
Chemical Purity Minimum
Chemical Purity MaxOP
Chemical Purity Maximum Operator
Chemical Purity Max
Chemical Purity Maximum
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Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Header Name Definition
Chem. Radiolabel
Chemical Radiolabel
Chemical Radiolabel
Chlorine
Chlorine Mean OP
Chlorine Mean Operator
Chlorine Mean
Chlorine Mean
Chlorine Min OP
Chlorine Minimum Operator
Chlorine Min
Chlorine Minimum
Chlorine Max OP
Chlorine Maximum Operator
Chlorine Max
Chlorine Max
Chlorine Unit
Chlorine Unit
Cone (48 fields) (Author) or
(ug/L)
Concentrationl Mean Op
First Concentration Mean Operator
(Author) or (ug/L)
Concentrationl Mean
First Concentration Mean Value (Author)
or (ug/L)
Concentrationl Min Op
First Concentration Minimum Operator
(Author) or (ug/L)
Concentrationl Min
First Concentration Minimum Value
(Author) or (ug/L)
Concentrationl Max Op
First Concentration Maximum Operator
(Author) or (ug/L)
Concentrationl Max
First Concentration Maximum Value
(Author) or (ug/L)
Concentration Typel
First Concentration Type (Author) or
(ug/L)
Concentration2 Mean Op
Third Concentration Mean Operator
(Author) or (ug/L)
Concentration2 Mean
Third Concentration Mean Value (Author)
or (ug/L)
Concentration2 Min Op
Third Concentration Minimum (Author) or
(ug/L) Operator
Concentration2 Min
Third Concentration Minimum Value
Concentration2 Max Op
Third Concentration Maximum Operator
(Author) or (ug/L)
Concentration2 Max
Third Concentration Maximum Value
(Author) or (ug/L)
Concentration Type 2
Third Concentration Type (Author) or
(ug/L)
Concentrations Mean Op
Third Concentration Mean Operator
(Author) or (ug/L)
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Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Header Name Definition
Concentrations Mean
Third Concentration Mean Value (Author)
or (ug/L)
Concentrations Min Op
Third Concentration Minimum (Author) or
(ug/L) Operator
Concentrations Min
Third Concentration Minimum Value
Concentrations Max Op
Third Concentration Maximum Operator
(Author) or (ug/L)
Concentrations Max
Third Concentration Maximum Value
(Author) or (ug/L)
Concentration Type 3
Third Concentration Type (Author) or
(ug/L)
Concentration Units
Author or ug/L
Control
Control
Control
Conductiv. (7 fields)
Conductivity Mean Op
Conductivity Mean Operator
Conductivity Mean
Conductivity Mean Value
Conductivity Min Op
Conductivity Minimum Operator
Conductivity Min
Conductivity Minimum Value
Conductivity Max Op
Conductivity Maximum Operator
Conductivity Max
Conductivity Maximum Value
Conductivity Units
Conductivity Units
D.O. (7 fields)
Dissolved Oxygen Mean Op
Dissolved Oxygen Mean Operator
Dissolved Oxygen Mean
Dissolved Oxygen Mean Value
Dissolved Oxygen Min Op
Dissolved Oxygen Minimum Operator
Dissolved Oxygen Min
Dissolved Oxygen Minimum Value
Dissolved Oxygen Max Op
Dissolved Oxygen Maximum Operator
Dissolved Oxygen Max
Dissolved Oxygen Maximum Value
Dissolved Oxygen Units
Dissolved Oxygen Units
Dissolved Inorganic
Carbon (7 fields)
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon
Mean Op
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Mean
Operator
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon
Mean
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Mean Value
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon
Min Op
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Minimum
Operator
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon
Min
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Minimum
Value
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Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Header Name Definition
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon
Max Op
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Maximum
Operator
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon
Maximum
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Maximum
Value
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon
Units
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Units
Effect
Effect
Effect
Effect Meas.
Effect Measurement
Effect Measurement
Eff. Percent (6 fields)
Effect Percent Mean Op
Effect Percent Mean Value Operator
Effect Percent Mean
Effect Percent Mean Value
Effect Percent Min Op
Effect Percent Minimum Value Operator
Effect Percent Min
Effect Percent Minimum Value
Effect Percent Max Op
Effect Percent Maximum Value Operator
Effect Percent Max
Effect Percent Maximum Value
End point
End point
End point
End point Assign.
End point Assignment
End point Assignment
EE Comment
EE Comment
Effect Endpoint (EE) Comment
Exp. Design
Experimental Design
Experimental Design Comment
Exp. Dur. (14 fields)
(Author) or (Days)
Exposure Duration Op
Exposure Duration Operator
Exposure Duration
Exposure Duration Value
Exposure Duration Min Op
Exposure Duration Minimum Operator
Exposure Duration Min
Exposure Duration Minimum Value
Exposure Duration Max Op
Exposure Duration Maximum Operator
Exposure Duration Max
Exposure Duration Maximum Value
Exposure Duration Units
Exposure Duration Units
Exposure Sample Number
Exposure Sample Number
Exposure Sample Number
Exp. Type
Exposure Type
Exposure Type
General Comments
General Comments
General Comments
Geog. Loc
Geographic Location
Geographic Location
Geog. Term
Geographic Term
Geographic Term
Gender
Gender
Gender
Habitat
Habitat
Habitat
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Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Header Name Definition
Hardness (mg/L) (7 fields)
Hardness Mean Op
Hardness Mean Operator
Hardness Mean
Hardness Mean Value
Hardness Min Op
Hardness Minimum Operator
Hardness Min
Hardness Minimum Value
Hardness Max Op
Hardness Maximum Operator
Hardness Maximum
Hardness Maximum Value
Hardness Units
Hardness Units
HumicAcid (mg/L) (7 fields)
HumicAcid Mean Op
HumicAcid Mean Operator
HumicAcid Mean
HumicAcid Mean Value
HumicAcid Min Op
HumicAcid Minimum Operator
HumicAcid Min
HumicAcid Minimum Value
HumicAcid Max Op
HumicAcid Maximum Operator
HumicAcid Maximum
HumicAcid Maximum Value
HumicAcid Units
HumicAcid Units
Intake Rate (7 Fields)
Intake Rate Mean Op
Intake Rate Mean Operator
Intake Rate Mean
Intake Rate Mean Value
Intake Rate Min Op
Intake Rate Minimum Operator
Intake Rate Min
Intake Rate Minimum Value
Intake Rate Max Op
Intake Rate Maximum Operator
Intake Rate Maximum
Intake Rate Maximum Value
Intake Rate Units
Intake Rate Units
Ion (3 fields)
Ionic Fractionl
Ionic Fractionl
Ionic Fraction2
Ionic Fraction2
Ionic Fraction3
Ionic Fraction3
Lat/Long
Latitude/Longitude
Latitude/Longitude
Magnesium (mg/L) (7 fields)
Magnesium Mean Op
Magnesium Mean Operator
Magnesium Mean
Magnesium Mean Value
Magnesium Min Op
Magnesium Minimum Operator
Magnesium Min
Magnesium Minimum Value
Magnesium Max Op
Magnesium Maximum Operator
Magnesium Maximum
Magnesium Maximum Value
Magnesium Units
Magnesium Units
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Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Header Name Definition
Media Type
Media Type
Media Type
Number of Doses
Number of Doses
Number of Doses
Obs. Dur. (14 fields)
(Author) or (Days)
Observed Duration Op
Observed Duration Operator
Observed Duration
Observed Duration Value
Observed Duration Min Op
Observed Duration Minimum Operator
Observed Duration Min
Observed Duration Minimum Value
Observed Duration Max Op
Observed Duration Maximum Operator
Observed Duration Max
Observed Duration Maximum Value
Observed Duration Units
Observed Duration Units
Org. Carb. Type
Value (8 fields)
Organic Carbon Mean Op
Organic Carbon Mean Operator
Organic Carbon Mean
Organic Carbon Mean Value
Organic Carbon Min Op
Organic Carbon Minimum Operator
Organic Carbon Min
Organic Carbon Minimum Value
Organic Carbon Max Op
Organic Carbon Maximum Operator
Organic Carbon Maximum
Organic Carbon Maximum
Organic Carbon Units
Organic Carbon Units
Organic Carbon Type
Organic Carbon Type
Org. Age (7 fields)
Organism Age Mean Op
Organism Age Mean Operator
Organism Age Mean
Organism Age Mean
Organism Age Min Op
Organism Age Minimum Operator
Organism Age Min
Organism Age Minimum
Organism Age Max Op
Organism Age Maximum Operator
Organism Age Max
Organism Age Maximum
Organism Age Units
Organism Age Units
Org. Comment
Organism Comment
Organism Comment
Species Final Weight
Species Final Weight Mean
Op
Species Final Weight Mean Operator
Species Final Weight Mean
Species Final Weight Mean
Species Final Weight Min Op
Species Final Weight Minimum Operator
77
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Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Header Name Definition
Species Final Weight Min
Species Final Weight Minimum
Species Final Weight Max Op
Species Final Weight Maximum Operator
Species Final Weight Max
Species Final Weight Maximum
Species Final Weight Units
Species Final Weight Units
Organism Initial Weight
Organism Initial Weight Mean
Op
Organism Initial Weight Mean Operator
Organism Initial Weight Mean
Organism Initial Weight Mean
Organism Initial Weight Min
Op
Organism Initial Weight Minimum
Operator
Organism Initial Weight Min
Organism Initial Weight Minimum
Organism Initial Weight Max
Op
Organism Initial Weight Maximum
Operator
Organism Initial Weight Max
Organism Initial Weight Max
Organism Initial Weight Units
Organism Initial Weight Units
Org. Lifestg.
Organism Lifestage
Organism Lifestage
Organism Source
Organism Source
Organism Source
Other Effects
Other Effects
Other Effects
pH (6 fields)
pH Mean Op
pH Mean Operator
pH Mean
pH Mean Value
pH Min Op
pH Minimum Operator
pH Min
pH Minimum Value
pH Max Op
pH Maximum Operator
pH Maximum
pH Maximum Value
Potassium (7 Fields)
Potassium Mean Op
Potassium Mean Operator
Potassium Mean
Potassium Mean Value
Potassium Min Op
Potassium Minimum Operator
Potassium Min
Potassium Minimum Value
Potassium Max Op
Potassium Maximum Operator
Potassium Maximum
Potassium Maximum Value
Potassium Unit
Potassium Unit
Pub. Year
Publication Year
Publication Year
Ref#
Reference Number
ECOTOX Reference Number
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Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Header Name Definition
Reference Citation (4
fields)
Author
Title
Publication Year
Source
Author
Title
Publication Year
Source
Resp. Site
Response Site
Response Site
Result Comment
Result Comment
Result Percent Lipid (6
Fields)
Result Percent Lipid Mean Op
Result Percent Lipid Mean Operator
Result Percent Lipid Mean
Result Percent Lipid Mean Value
Result Percent Lipid Min Op
Result Percent Lipid Minimum Operator
Result Percent Lipid Min
Result Percent Lipid Minimum Value
Result Percent Lipid Max Op
Result Percent Lipid Maximum Operator
Result Percent Lipid Maximum
Result Percent Lipid Maximum Value
Result Number
Result Number
Result Sample Number and
Unit
Result Sample Number Mean
Op
Result Sample Number Mean Operator
Result Sample Number Mean
Result Sample Number Mean Value
Result Sample Number Min
Op
Result Sample Number Minimum
Operator
Result Sample Number Min
Result Sample Number Minimum Value
Result Sample Number Max
Op
Result Sample Number Maximum
Operator
Result Sample Number
Maximum
Result Sample Number Maximum Value
Result SampleUnit
Result Sample Number Unit
Result Percent Dry/Wet
Weight (7 fields)
Result Percent Dry/Wet
Weight Mean Op
Result Percent Dry/Wet Weight Mean
Operator
Result Percent Dry/Wet
Weight Mean
Result Percent Dry/Wet Weight Mean
Value
Result Percent Dry/Wet
Weight Min Op
Result Percent Dry/Wet Weight Minimum
Operator
Result Percent Dry/Wet
Weight Min
Result Percent Dry/Wet Weight Minimum
Value
Result Percent Dry/Wet
Weight Max Op
Result Percent Dry/Wet Weight Maximum
Operator
Result Percent Dry/Wet
Weight Maximum
Result Percent Dry/Wet Weight Maximum
Value
79
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ECOTOX 5.5 User Guide
Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Header Name Definition
Dry/Wet
Denotes dry or wet weight basis for Result
Percent Dry/Wet Weight
Salin. (7 fields)
Salinity Mean Op
Salinity Mean Operator
Salinity Mean
Salinity Mean Value
Salinity Min Op
Salinity Minimum Operator
Salinity Min
Salinity Minimum Value
Salinity Max Op
Salinity Maximum Operator
Salinity Max
Salinity Maximum Value
Salinity Units
Salinity Units
Sig. Level
Significance Level Mean Op
Significance Level Mean Operator
Significance Level Mean
Significance Level Mean Value
Significance Level Min Op
Significance Level Minimum Operator
Significance Level Min
Significance Level Minimum Value
Significance Level Max Op
Significance Level Maximum Operator
Significance Level Max
Significance Level Maximum Value
Sodium
Sodium Mean Op
Sodium Mean Operator
Sodium Mean
Sodium Mean Value
Sodium Min Op
Sodium Minimum Operator
Sodium Min
Sodium Minimum Value
Sodium Max Op
Sodium Maximum Operator
Sodium Max
Sodium Maximum Value
Sodium Unit
Sodium Unit
Spec. Common Name
Species Common Name
Species Common Name
Spec. Sci. Name
Species Scientific Name
Species Scientific Name
Species Group
Species Group
Species Group
Species Taxon Info.
(10 fields)
Species Kingdom
Species Kingdom
Species Phylum/Division
Species Phylum/Division
Species Subphylum
Species Subphylum
Species Superclass
Species Superclass
Species Class
Species Class
Species Order
Species Order
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Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Header Name Definition
Species Family
Species Family
Species Genus
Species Genus
Species
Species
Variety
Variety
Spec. Eco #
Species ECOTOX Number
Species ECOTOX Number
Spec. NCBI ID
Species NCBI TaxlD
Species Taxonomy ID from NCBI
Stat. Sign if.
Statistical Significance
Statistical Significance
Steady State
Steady State
Study Duration (14 fields)
(Author) or (Days)
Study Duration Op
Study Duration Operator
Study Duration
Study Duration Value
Study Duration Min Op
Study Duration Minimum Operator
Study Duration Min
Study Duration Minimum Value
Study Duration Max Op
Study Duration Maximum Operator
Study Duration Max
Study Duration Maximum Value
Study Duration Units
Study Duration Units
Study Type
Study Type
Study Type
Sub-Habitat (3 fields)
Sub-Habitat
Sub-Habitat Term
Sub-Habitat Description
Sub-Habitat Description
Sub-Habitat Comment
Sub-Habitat Comment
Substr. Term
Substrate Term
Substrate Term
Substr. Comments
Substrate Comments
Substrate Comments
Sulfate
Sulfate Mean Op
Sulfate Mean Operator
Sulfate Mean
Sulfate Mean Value
Sulfate Min Op
Sulfate Minimum Operator
Sulfate Min
Sulfate Minimum Value
Sulfate Max Op
Sulfate Maximum Operator
Sulfate Max
Sulfate Maximum Value
Sulfate Unit
Sulfate Unit
Sulfur
Sulfur Mean Op
Sulfur Mean Operator
Sulfur Mean
Sulfur Mean Value
Sulfur Min Op
Sulfur Minimum Operator
Sulfur Min
Sulfur Minimum Value
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Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Header Name Definition
Sulfur Max Op
Sulfur Maximum Operator
Sulfur Max
Sulfur Maximum Value
Sulfur Unit
Sulfur Unit
Temperature (7 fields)
Temperature Mean Op
Temperature Mean Operator
Temperature Mean
Temperature Mean Value
Temperature Min Op
Temperature Minimum Operator
Temperature Min
Temperature Minimum Value
Temperature Max Op
Temperature Maximum Operator
Temperature Max
Temperature Maximum Value
Temperature Units
Temperature Units
Test#
Test Number
Test Number
Test Location
Test Location
Test Location
Test Method
Test Method
Test Method
Test Type
Test Type
Test Type
Title
Title
Title of the Publication
Trend
Trend
Trend
Water Depth (7 fields)
Water Depth Mean Op
Water Depth Mean Operator
Water Depth Mean
Water Depth Mean Value
Water Depth Min Op
Water Depth Minimum Operator
Water Depth Min
Water Depth Minimum Value
Water Depth Max Op
Water Depth Maximum Operator
Water Depth Max
Water Depth Maximum Value
Water Depth Units
Water Depth Units
82
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ECOTOX 5.5 User Guide
Terrestrial Delimited Report Output Fields
A forward slash (/) within a field refers to an associated comment in a separate field.
Users should review the full publication for proper interpretation.
Note: OP = operator ( >, >=, <. =< =)
Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Delimited Header Definition
Appl. Date
Application Date
Appl. Freq. (7 fields)
Application Frequency Mean
Op
Application Frequency Mean Operator
Application Frequency Mean
Application Frequency Mean Value
Application Frequency Min Op
Application Frequency Minimum
Operator
Application Frequency Min
Application Frequency Minimum Value
Application Frequency Max
Op
Application Frequency Maximum
Operator
Application Frequency Max
Application Frequency Maximum Value
Application Frequency Units
Application Frequency Units
Appl. Rate (2 fields)
Application Rate
Application Units
Application Rate
Application Units
Appl. Seas. (2 fields)
Application Season
Application Season
Description
Application Season
Application Season Description
Author
Author
BCF/BAF (7 fields)
** BCF/BAF values are
located in "Observed
Response Mean" field in
the Excel/Delimited
reports**
Observed Response Mean Op
Bioconcentration Factor Mean Operator
Observed Response Mean
Bioconcentration Factor Mean Value
Observed Response Min Op
Bioconcentration Factor Minimum
Operator
Observed Response Min
Bioconcentration Factor Minimum Value
Observed Response Max Op
Bioconcentration Factor Maximum
Operator
Observed Response Max
Bioconcentration Factor Maximum Value
Observed Response Unit
Bioconcentration Factor Unit
83
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ECOTOX 5.5 User Guide
Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Delimited Header Definition
CAS#
CAS Number
Test Chemical Abstracts Service
Registry Number
Chem. DTXSID
Chemical DTXSID
Test Chemical DSSTox Substance
Identifier
Chemical Carrier
Carrier
Contains all carriers (up to three) and all
the associated information (CAS
#|Chemical Name|Chemical
Grade|Chemical Formulation|Chemical
Radiolabel|Chemical
Characteristics|Chemical Purity).
Chem. Anal.
Chemical Analysis Method
Chemical Analysis Method
Chem. Comment
Chemical Comment
Test Chemical Comment
Chem. Grade
Chemical Grade
Test Chemical Grade
Chem. Form.
Chemical Formulation
Test Chemical Formulation
Chemical Name
Chemical Name
Test Chemical Name
Chem. Pur.
Chemical Purity
Test Chemical Purity
Chem. Radiolabel
Chemical Radiolabel
Test Chemical Radiolabel
Chem. Half Life (7 fields)
Chemical Half Life Mean OP
Chemical Half Life Mean Operator
Chemical Half Life Mean
Chemical Half Life Mean
Chemical Half Life Min Op
Chemical Half Life Minimum Operator
Chemical Half Life Min
Chemical Half Life Minimum
Chemical Half Life Max Op
Chemical Half Life Maximum Operator
Chemical Half Life Max
Chemical Half Life Maximum
Chemical Half Life Unit
Chemical Half Life Unit
Cone (7 fields) (Author)
[Excel and Delimited only]
Cone 1 Mean Op (Author)
Concentration 1 Mean Operator
Cone 1 Mean (Author)
Concentration 1 Mean Value
Cone 1 Min Op (Author)
Concentration 1 Minimum Operator
Cone Min 1 (Author)
Concentration 1 Minimum Value
Cone 1 Max Op (Author)
Concentration 1 Maximum Operator
Cone 1 Max (Author)
Concentration 1 Maximum Value
Cone 1 Units (Author)\
Concentration 1 Units
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ECOTOX 5.5 User Guide
Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Delimited Header Definition
Dose (7 fields) [Browser
only]
Dose Mean Op
Dose Mean Operator
Dose Mean
Dose Mean Value
Dose Min Op
Dose Minimum Operator
Dose Min
Dose Minimum Value
Dose Max Op
Dose Maximum Operator
Dose Max
Dose Maximum Value
Dose Units
Dose Units
Control
Control
Control
EE Comment
EE Comment
Effect Endpoint (EE) Comment
Effect
Effect
Effect
Effect Meas.
Effect Measurement
Effect Measurement
Eff. Percent (6 fields)
Effect Percent Mean Op
Effect Percent Mean Value Operator
Effect Percent Mean
Effect Percent Mean Value
Effect Percent Min Op
Effect Percent Minimum Value Operator
Effect Percent Min
Effect Percent Minimum Value
Effect Percent Max Op
Effect Percent Maximum Value Operator
Effect Percent Max
Effect Percent Maximum Value
Endpoint
Endpoint
Endpoint
Endpoint Assign.
Endpoint Assignment
Endpoint Assignment
Experimental Design
Experimental Design
Experimental Design Comment
Exp. Type
Exposure Type
Exposure Type
85
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ECOTOX 5.5 User Guide
Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Delimited Header Definition
Exposure Comment
Exposure Comment
Exposure Comment
Exp. Dur (Author or Days)
Exposure Mean Op
Exposure Duration Mean Operator
(Author) or (Days)
Exposure Mean
Exposure Duration Mean Value (Author)
or (Days)
Exposure Min Op
Exposure Duration Minimum Operator
(Author) or (Days)
Exposure Min
Exposure Duration Minimum Value
(Author) or (Days)
Exposure Max Op
Exposure Duration Maximum Operator
(Author) or (Days)
Exposure Max
Exposure Duration Maximum Value
(Author) or (Days)
Exposure Duration Units
(Author) or (Days)
Exp. Sample Number (6
fields)
Exposure Sample Number
Mean Op
Exposure Sample Number Mean
Operator (Author) or (Days)
Exposure Sample Number
Mean
Exposure Sample Number Mean Value
(Author) or (Days)
Exposure Sample Number
Min Op
Exposure Sample Number Minimum
Operator (Author) or (Days)
Exposure Sample Number
Min
Exposure Sample Number Minimum
Value (Author) or (Days)
Exposure Sample Number
Max Op
Exposure Sample Number Maximum
Operator (Author) or (Days)
Exposure Sample Number
Max
Exposure Sample Number Maximum
Value (Author) or (Days)
Gender
Gender
Gender
Gen. Comments
General Comments
General Comments
Geog.Loc
Geographic Location
Geographic Location
Geog. Term
Geographic Term
Geographic Term
Habitat
Habitat
Habitat
Intake Rate (7 Fields)
Intake Rate Mean Op
Intake Rate Mean Operator
Intake Rate Mean
Intake Rate Mean Value
Intake Rate Min Op
Intake Rate Minimum Operator
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Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Delimited Header Definition
Intake Rate Min
Intake Rate Minimum Value
Intake Rate Max Op
Intake Rate Maximum Operator
Intake Rate Maximum
Intake Rate Maximum Value
Intake Rate Units
Intake Rate Units
Ion
Ionic Fraction
Ionic Fraction
Lat/Long
Latitude/Longitude
Latitude/Longitude
Media CEC (7 fields)
Media CEC Mean Op
Media Cation Exchange Capacity Mean
Operator
Media CEC Mean
Media Cation Exchange Capacity Mean
Value
Media CEC Min Op
Media Cation Exchange Capacity
Minimum Operator
Media CEC Min
Media Cation Exchange Capacity
Minimum Value
Media CEC Max Op
Media Cation Exchange Capacity
Maximum Operator
Media CEC Max
Media Cation Exchange Capacity
Maximum Value
Media CEC Units
Media Cation Exchange Capacity Units
Media Moist. (6 fields)
Media Moisture Mean Op
Media Moisture Mean Operator
Media Moisture Mean
Media Moisture Mean Value
Media Moisture Min Op
Media Moisture Minimum Operator
Media Moisture Min
Media Moisture Minimum Value
Media Moisture Max Op
Media Moisture Maximum Operator
Media Moisture Max
Media Moisture Maximum Value
Media Orgnc. Mat. (7
fields)
Media Organic Matter Mean
Op
Media Organic Matter Mean Operator
Media Organic Matter Mean
Media Organic Matter Mean Value
Media Organic Matter Min Op
Media Organic Matter Minimum Operator
Media Organic Matter Min
Media Organic Matter Minimum Value
Media Organic Matter Max Op
Media Organic Matter Maximum
Operator
Media Organic Matter Max
Media Organic Matter Maximum Value
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ECOTOX 5.5 User Guide
Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Delimited Header Definition
Media Organic Matter Units
Media Organic Matter Units
Media Type
Media Type
Media Type
Obs. Dur. (Author), (Days)
Observation Duration Mean
Op
Observation Duration Mean Operator
(Author) or (Days)
Observation Duration Mean
Observation Duration Mean Value
(Author) or (Days)
Observation Duration Min Op
Observation Duration Minimum Operator
(Author) or (Days)
Observation Duration Min
Observation Duration Minimum Value
(Author) or (Days))
Observation Duration Max Op
Observation Duration Maximum (Author)
or (Days)
Observation Duration Max
Observation Duration Maximum Value
(Author) or (Days)
Observation Duration Unit
(Author) or (Days)
Observed Response
* Includes Terrestrial
bioconcentration factor
(BCF) and bioaccumulation
factor data (BAF)
(7 Fields)
Observed Response Mean Op
Observed Response Mean Operator
Observed Response Mean
Observed Response Mean Value
Observed Response Min Op
Observed Response Minimum Operator
Observed Response Min
Observed Response Minimum Value
Observed Response Max Op
Observed Response Maximum Operator
Observed Response Max
Observed Response Maximum Value
Observed Response Units
Observed Response Units
Number of Doses
Number of Doses
Number of Doses
Org. Comment
Organism Comment
Organism Comment
Org. Age (7 fields)
Organism Age Mean OP
Organism Age Mean Operator
Organism Age Mean
Organism Age Mean
Organism Age Min OP
Organism Age Minimum Operator
Organism Age Min
Organism Age Minimum
Organism Age Max OP
Organism Age Maximum Operator
Organism Age Max
Organism Age Maximum
Organism Age Units
Organism Age Units
Org. Comment
Organism Comment
Organism Comment
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Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Delimited Header Definition
Org. In it. Wt.
Organism Initial Weight Mean
OP
Organism Initial Weight Mean Operator
Organism Initial Weight Mean
Organism Initial Weight Mean
Organism Initial Weight Min
OP
Organism Initial Weight Minimum
Operator
Organism Initial Weight Min
Organism Initial Weight Minimum
Organism Initial Weight Max
OP
Organism Initial Weight Maximum
Operator
Organism Initial Weight Max
Organism Initial Weight Maximum
Organism Initial Weight Units
Organism Initial Weight Units
Org. Lifestg.
Organism Lifestage
Organism Lifestage
Org. Source
Organism Source
Organism Source
Other Effects
Other Effects
Other Effects
Ref. #
Reference Number
ECOTOX Reference Number
Reference Citation (4
fields)
Click on "References"
to obtain full citation
Author
Title Year
Source
Author
Title
Year
Source
Resp. Site
Response Site
Response Site
Result Comment
Result Comment
Result Comment
Result % Dry/Wet Weight
(7 fields)
Result Percent Dry/Wet
Weight Mean OP
Result Percent Dry/Wet Weight Mean
Operator
Result Percent Dry/Wet
Weight Mean
Result Percent Dry/Wet Weight Mean
Result Percent Dry/Wet
Weight Min OP
Result Percent Dry/Wet Weight Minimum
Operator
Result Percent Dry/Wet
Weight Min
Result Percent Dry/Wet Weight Minimum
Result Percent Dry/Wet
Weight Max OP
Result Percent Dry/Wet Weight Maximum
Operator
Result Percent Dry/Wet
Weight Max
Result Percent Dry/Wet Weight Maximum
Media Measurement (wet/
dry)
Denotes dry or wet weight basis for Result
% Dry/Wet Weight
Result % Lipid
Result Percent Lipid
Result Percent Lipid
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Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Delimited Header Definition
Result Rec. Num.
Result Record Number
Result (Record) Number
Result Sample Number
and Unit
Result Sample Number Mean
Op
Result Sample Number Mean Operator
Result Sample Number Mean
Result Sample Number Mean Value
Result Sample Number Min
Op
Result Sample Number Minimum
Operator
Result Sample Number Min
Result Sample Number Minimum Value
Result Sample Number Max
Op
Result Sample Number Maximum
Operator
Result Sample Number
Maximum
Result Sample Number Maximum Value
Result Sample Unit
Result Sample Number Unit
Sig. Level
Significance Level
Significance Level
Soil Dose Meas.
Soil Dose
Soil Does Measured
Soil Clay % (6 fields)
Soil Clay Percent Mean Op
Soil Clay Percent Mean Operator
Soil Clay Percent Mean
Soil Clay Percent Mean Value
Soil Clay Percent Min Op
Soil Clay Percent Minimum Operator
Soil Clay Percent Min
Soil Clay Percent Minimum Value
Soil Clay Percent Max Op
Soil Clay Percent Maximum Operator
Soil Clay Percent Maximum
Soil Clay Percent Maximum Value
Soil Sand % (6 fields)
Soil Sand Percent Mean Op
Soil Sand Percent Mean Operator
Soil Sand Percent Mean
Soil Sand Percent Mean Value
Soil Sand Percent Min Op
Soil Sand Percent Minimum Operator
Soil Sand Percent Min
Soil Sand Percent Minimum Value
Soil Sand Percent Max Op
Soil Sand Percent Maximum Operator
Soil Sand Percent Max
Soil Sand Percent Maximum Value
Soil Silt % (6 fields)
Soil Silt Percent Mean Op
Soil Silt Percent Mean Operator
Soil Silt Percent Mean
Soil Silt Percent Mean Value
Soil Silt Percent Min Op
Soil Silt Percent Minimum Operator
Soil Silt Percent Min
Soil Silt Percent Minimum Value
Soil Silt Percent Max Op
Soil Silt Percent Maximum Operator
Soil Silt Percent Max
Soil Silt Percent Maximum Value
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ECOTOX 5.5 User Guide
Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Delimited Header Definition
Soil pH (6 fields)
Soil pH Mean Op
Soil pH Mean Operator
Soil pH Mean
Soil pH Mean Value
Soil pH Min Op
Soil pH Minimum Operator
Soil pH Min
Soil pH Minimum Value
Soil pH Max Op
Soil pH Maximum Operator
Soil pH Max
Soil pH Maximum Value
Soil Type
Soil Type
Soil Type
Source
Source
Bibliographic Source
Spec. Common Name
Species Common Name
Study Type
Study Type
Study Type
Org. Final Wt
Species Final Weight Mean
Op
Species Final Weight Mean Operator
Species Final Weight Mean
Species Final Weight Mean
Species Final Weight Min Op
Species Final Weight Minimum Operator
Species Final Weight Min
Species Final Weight Minimum
Species Final Weight Max Op
Species Final Weight Maximum Operator
Species Final Weight Max
Species Final Weight Maximum
Species Final Weight Units
Species Final Weight Units
Species Group
Species Group
Species Group
Species Taxon Info.
Species Kingdom
Species Kingdom
(10 fields)
Species Phylum/Division
Species Phylum/Division
Species Subphylum
Species Subphylum
Species Superclass
Species Superclass
Species Class
Species Class
Species Order
Species Order
Species Family
Species Family
Species Genus
Species Genus
Species
Species
Variety
Variety
Spec. Eco #
Species ECOTOX Number
Species ECOTOX Number
Spec. NCBI ID
Species NCBI TaxlD
Species Taxonomy ID from NCBI
Spec. Sci. Name
Species Scientific Name
Species Scientific Name
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Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Delimited Header Definition
Sign if.
Statistical Significance
Statistical Significance
Steady State
Steady State
Steady State
Study Duration (14 fields)
(Author) or (Days)
Study Mean Op
Study Duration Mean Operator
Study Mean
Study Duration Mean Value
Study Min Op
Study Duration Minimum Operator
Study Min
Study Duration Minimum Value
Study Max Op
Study Duration Maximum Operator
Study Max
Study Duration Maximum Value
Study Duration Unit
Study Duration Units
Sub-Habitat (3 fields)
Sub-Habitat
Sub-Habitat Term
Sub-Habitat Description
Sub-Habitat Description
Sub-Habitat Comment
Sub-Habitat Comment
Substr. Term
Substrate Term
Substrate Term
Substr. Comments
Substrate Comments
Substrate Comments
Temperature (7 fields)
Temperature Mean Op
Temperature Mean Operator
Temperature Mean
Temperature Mean Value
Temperature Min Op
Temperature Minimum Operator
Temperature Min
Temperature Minimum Value
Temperature Max Op
Temperature Maximum Operator
Temperature Max
Temperature Maximum Value
Temperature Units
Temperature Units
Test Comments
Test Comment
Test Comment
Test Loc.
Test Location
Test Location
Test#
Test Number
Test Number
Test Method
Test Method
Test Method
Test Type
Test Type
Test Type
Trend
Trend
Trend
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Report Header
Delimited File Header Name
Delimited Header Definition
Title
Title
Title of Publication
Pub. Year
Year
Publication Year
93
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