EPA-OW: Test Method 2021.0:  Acute Toxicity Tests with Effluents and Receiving Waters using Daphnia

  • Summary
  • Analytes
  • Revision
  • Data and Sites
Official Method Name
Test Method 2021.0, Daphnia pulex and D. magna Acute Toxicity Tests with Effluents and Receiving Waters
Current Revision
Fifth Edition, October 2002
Media
WATER
Instrumentation
Toxicity
Method Subcategory
Acute Toxicity
Method Source
  EPA-OW
Citation
Methods for Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater and Marine Organisms. Fifth Edition, October 2002. EPA Volume 821-R-02-012
Brief Method Summary
Test type can be either static-renewal, static non-renewal, or flow-through. The selection of test type will depend on the NPDES permit requirements, the objectives of the test, the available resources, the requirements of the test organisms, and effluent characteristics such as fluctuations in effluent toxicity. Effluent acute toxicity is generally measured using a multi-concentration, or definitive test, consisting of a control and a minimum of five effluent concentrations.
Scope and Application
This manual describes acute toxicity tests for use in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits Program to identify effluents and receiving waters containing toxic materials in acutely toxic concentrations. With the exception of the Holmesimysis costata Acute test, the methods included in this manual are referenced in Table 1A, 40 CFR Part 136 regulations and, therefore, constitute approved methods for acute toxicity tests. They are also suitable for determining the toxicity of specific compounds contained in discharges. The tests may be conducted in a central laboratory or on-site, by the regulatory agency or the permittee.
Applicable Concentration Range
Effluents: 5 and a control

Receiving waters: 100% receiving water and a control (recommended)
Interferences
None provided
Quality Control Requirements
Reference toxicant testing with control charts for each combination of toxicant, test species, test condition, and endpoint.
Sample Handling
It is reccommended that samples be held at 0 - 6degC until used.
Maximum Holding Time
36h
Relative Cost
Unknown
Sample Preparation Methods
Filtration, dechlorination