An Ecological Risk Assessment of Phenol in the Aquatic Environment |
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Authors: | Roger L Breton R Scott Teed Dwayne RJ Moore |
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Institution: | 1. Formerly from Existing Substances Branch, Environment Canada, Place Vincent Massey, 14th Floor, 351 St. Joseph Boulevard, Gatineau, QC, Canada K1A 0H3.;2. The Cadmus Group, Inc., Suite 204 - 411 Roosevelt Avenue, Ottawa, ON, Canada K2A 3X9;3. The Cadmus Group, Inc., Suite 204 - 411 Roosevelt Avenue, Ottawa, ON, Canada K2A 3X9 |
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Abstract: | A probabilistic ecological risk assessment of phenol was undertaken to determine the risks posed to biota as a result of phenol release to the Canadian environment. A three-tiered approach was used to estimate risks, with progressively more realistic assumptions being applied at each tier. In Canada, the major sources of phenol are municipal wastewater treatment plants, pulp, paper and wood products mills, steel and metal products facilities and refineries. Thus, the highest exposures will occur in receiving waters near these point sources, primarily due to the short half-life of phenol in the aquatic environment. Sensitive aquatic organisms include salmonids (e.g., rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss) and amphibians (e.g., leopard frog Rana pipiens). The results of the risk assessment indicate that species are exposed to elevated levels of phenol near point sources, but these levels represent only a minor risk to aquatic biota. |
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Keywords: | phenol probabilistic ecological risk assessment aquatic biota tiered approach effluents |
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