Development of a Biotic Ligand Model for Nickel: Phase I

In this report, the project team describes Phase 1 of the development of a Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) for nickel. A BLM characterizes the bioavailability and toxicity of a metal in water, and can be used to predict the effects of this metal on aquatic organisms over a range of water quality conditions. The team reviewed chemical and toxicological information from the scientific literature, to develop a preliminary BLM and to identify data gaps that should be addressed in subsequent BLM research. The report summarizes the process of BLM calibration and development, including a review of preliminary BLM analyses of accumulation and toxicity data for Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow), and a discussion of the development of a calibrated model for Daphnia magna and Ceriodaphnia dubia, two relatively sensitive invertebrates. Published by WERF. Online PDF only.

Originally funded as WERF project 01-ECO-10-T.