Developing experimental data for multi-metal biotic ligand model framework - back to basics

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Metal mining and smelting plays a key role in the Canadian economy comprising 5% of the national GDP, providing 320,000 jobs, and generating $76.5 bn in exports which represents 22% of total Canadian exports. Canada is a major producer of Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn, and a minor producer of Cd, all of which are sold primarily for export. All of these metals may be hazardous to the environment and regulatory pressures, particularly in Europe and the US, are threatening these markets. Currently these and other metals are regulated individually, but there is increasing pressure to regulate them as mixtures in foreign markets. In the absence of reliable data on the effects of metal mixtures in the aquatic environment, regulators in Europe and other jurisdictions will rely on the Precautionary Principle rather than sound science and impose undue burdens on the metals industry. There is an urgent need for the development of science-based tools to regulate metal mixtures in aquatic environments. Our team consists of two aquatic toxicologists with expertise in the accumulation and effects of metals on aquatic organisms. This team contributed to the development of the Biotic Ligand Model, a predictive tool for risk assessment of single metals that has found widespread acceptance by government and industry. We have now recruited by four industry-supported metal research organizations (Copper Development Association, International Copper Association, International Zinc Association, and Nickel Producers Environmental Research Associaton) all with many Canadian industrial members, and one international mining company (Rio Tinto) with operations in Canada, to generate experimental data for development of metal mixture BLMs. The research will focus on organisms that are particularly sensitive to metals (rainbow trout and snails), and will examine the interactions of five metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn) on metal accumulation, metal speciation within tissues, mechanisms of action, and toxicity. The ultimate products will be new science-based Biotic Ligand Models for metal mixtures that can be used in risk assessment and as regulatory tools by government and industry on a worldwide basis.