ASTM E1711-20

Standard Guide for Measurement of Behavior During Fish Toxicity Tests

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Protection of a species requires the prevention of detrimental effects of chemicals on the survival, growth, reproduction, health, and uses of individuals of that species. Behavioral toxicity tests provide information concerning the sublethal effects of chemicals and signal the presence of toxic test substances.  
5.1.1 The locomotory, feeding, and social responses of fish are adaptive and essential to survival. Major changes in these responses may result in a diminished ability to survive, grow, avoid predation, or reproduce and cause significant changes in the natural population (8). Fish behavioral responses are known to be highly sensitive to environmental variables as well as toxic substances.  
5.2 Results from behavioral toxicity tests may be useful for measuring injury resulting from the release of hazardous materials (9).  
5.3 Behavioral responses can also be qualitatively assessed in a systematic manner during toxicity tests to discern trends in sublethal contaminant effects (5).  
5.4 The assessment of locomotory, feeding, and social behaviors is useful for monitoring effluents and sediments from contaminated field sites as well as for defining no-effect concentrations in the laboratory or under controlled field conditions. Such behavioral modifications provide an index of sublethal toxicity and also indicate the potential for subsequent mortality.  
5.5 Behavioral toxicity data can be used to predict the effects of exposure likely to occur in the natural environment (10).  
5.6 Results from behavioral toxicity tests might be an important consideration when assessing the hazard of materials to aquatic organisms. Such results might also be used when deriving water quality criteria for fish and aquatic invertebrate organisms.  
5.7 Results from behavioral toxicity tests can be used to compare the sensitivities of different species, the relative toxicity of different chemical substances on the same organism, or the effect of various environmental...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers some general information on methods for qualitative and quantitative assessment of the behavioral responses of fish during standard laboratory toxicity tests to measure the sublethal effects of exposure to chemical substances. This guide is meant to be an adjunct to toxicity tests and should not interfere with those test procedures.  
1.2 Behavioral toxicosis occurs when chemical or other stressful conditions, such as changes in water quality or temperature, induce a behavioral change that exceeds the normal range of variability (1). Behavior includes all of the observable, recordable, or measurable activities of a living organism and reflects genetic, neurobiological, physiological, and environmental determinants (2).  
1.3 Behavioral methods can be used in biomonitoring, in the determination of no-observed-effect and lowest-observed-effect concentrations, and in the prediction of hazardous chemical impacts on natural populations (3).  
1.4 The behavioral methods described in this guide include locomotory activity, feeding, and social responses, which are critical to the survival of fish (4).  
1.5 This guide is arranged as follows:    
Section Number  
Scope  
1  
Referenced Documents  
2  
Terminology  
3  
Summary of Guide  
4  
Significance and Use  
5  
Interferences  
6  
Safety Precautions  
7  
Responses Measured  
8  
Test Organisms  
9  
Facility  
10  
Qualitative Behavioral Assessment Method  
11  
Quantitative Behavioral Measurements  
12  
Experimental Design  
13  
Calculation of Test Results  
14  
Report  
15  
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard. For an explanation of units and symbols, refer to IEEE/ASTM SI 10.  
1.7 This standard does ...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2020
• ICS: 13.060.70 - Examination of biological properties of water
• Technical Committee: E50 - Environmental Assessment, Risk Management and Corrective Action
• Drafting Committee: E50.47 - Biological Effects and Environmental Fate

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E1711 − 20
Standard Guide for
1
Measurement of Behavior During Fish Toxicity Tests
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1711; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard. For an explanation of units
1.1 This guide covers some general information on methods
and symbols, refer to IEEE/ASTM SI 10.
for qualitative and quantitative assessment of the behavioral
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
responses of fish during standard laboratory toxicity tests to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
measure the sublethal effects of exposure to chemical sub-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
stances. This guide is meant to be an adjunct to toxicity tests
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
and should not interfere with those test procedures.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2 Behavioral toxicosis occurs when chemical or other
While some safety considerations are included in this guide, it
stressful conditions, such as changes in water quality or
is beyond the scope of this guide to encompass all safety
temperature, induce a behavioral change that exceeds the
requirements necessary to conduct behavioral toxicity tests.
normal range of variability (1). Behavior includes all of the
Specific hazards statements are given in Section 7.
observable, recordable, or measurable activities of a living
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
organism and reflects genetic, neurobiological, physiological,
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
and environmental determinants (2).
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.3 Behavioralmethodscanbeusedinbiomonitoring,inthe
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
determination of no-observed-effect and lowest-observed-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
effect concentrations, and in the prediction of hazardous
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
chemical impacts on natural populations (3).
2. Referenced Documents
1.4 The behavioral methods described in this guide include
2
locomotory activity, feeding, and social responses, which are
2.1 ASTM Standards:
critical to the survival of fish (4).
E140 Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals Relationship
Among Brinell Hardness, Vickers Hardness, Rockwell
1.5 This guide is arranged as follows:
Hardness, Superficial Hardness, Knoop Hardness, Sclero-
Section Number
Scope 1 scope Hardness, and Leeb Hardness
Referenced Documents 2
E729 Guide for Conducting Acute Toxicity Tests on Test
Terminology 3
Materials with Fishes, Macroinvertebrates, and Amphib-
Summary of Guide 4
Significance and Use 5 ians
Interferences 6
E943 Terminology Relating to Biological Effects and Envi-
Safety Precautions 7
ronmental Fate
Responses Measured 8
Test Organisms 9
E1023 Guide for Assessing the Hazard of a Material to
Facility 10
Aquatic Organisms and Their Uses
Qualitative Behavioral Assessment Method 11
E1192 Guide for ConductingAcute Toxicity Tests onAque-
Quantitative Behavioral Measurements 12
Experimental Design 13 ous Ambient Samples and Effluents with Fishes,
Calculation of Test Results 14
Macroinvertebrates, and Amphibians
Report 15
E1241 GuideforConductingEarlyLife-StageToxicityTests
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
with Fishes
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
E1383 Guide for Conducting Sediment Toxicity Tests with
1
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE50onEnvironmental
Assessment, Risk Management and CorrectiveAction and is the direct responsibil-
2
ity of Subcommittee E50.47 on Biological Effects and Environmental Fate. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2020. Published January 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as E1711 – 12. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E1711-20. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ---
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1711 − 12 E1711 − 20
Standard Guide for
1
Measurement of Behavior During Fish Toxicity Tests
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1711; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide covers some general information on methods for qualitative and quantitative assessment of the behavioral responses
of fish during standard laboratory toxicity tests to measure the sublethal effects of exposure to chemical substances. This guide is
meant to be an adjunct to toxicity tests and should not interfere with those test procedures.
1.2 Behavioral toxicosis occurs when chemical or other stressful conditions, such as changes in water quality or temperature,
induce a behavioral change that exceeds the normal range of variability (1). Behavior includes all of the observable, recordable,
or measurable activities of a living organism and reflects genetic, neurobiological, physiological, and environmental determinants
(2).
1.3 Behavioral methods can be used in biomonitoring, in the determination of no-observed-effect and lowest-observed-effect
concentrations, and in the prediction of hazardous chemical impacts on natural populations (3).
1.4 The behavioral methods described in this guide include locomotory activity, feeding, and social responses, which are critical
to the survival of fish (4).
1.5 This guide is arranged as follows:
Section Number
Scope 1
Referenced Documents 2
Terminology 3
Summary of Guide 4
Significance and Use 5
Interferences 6
Safety Precautions 7
Responses Measured 8
Test Organisms 9
Facility 10
Qualitative Behavioral Assessment Method 11
Quantitative Behavioral Measurements 12
Experimental Design 13
Calculation of Test Results 14
Report 15
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E50 on Environmental Assessment, Risk Management and Corrective Action and is the direct responsibility
of Subcommittee E50.47 on Biological Effects and Environmental Fate.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2012Dec. 1, 2020. Published February 2013January 2021. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 20082012 as
E1711 – 95E1711 – 12.(2008). DOI: 10.1520/E1711-12.10.1520/E1711-20.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1711 − 20
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard. For an explanation of units and
symbols, refer to IEEE/ASTM SI 10.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. While some safety considerations are included in this guide, it is beyond the
scope of this guide to encompass all safety requirements necessary to conduct behavioral toxicity tests. Specific hazards statements
are given in Section 7.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E140 Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals Relationship Among Brinell Hardness, Vickers Hardness, Rockwell Hardness,
Superficial Hardness, Knoop Hardness, Scleroscope Hardness, and Leeb Hardness
E729 Guide for Conducting Acute Toxicity Tests on Test Materials with Fishes, Macroinvertebrates, and Amphibians
E943 Terminology Relating to Biological Effects and Environmental Fate
E1023 Guide for Assessing the Hazard of a Material to Aquatic Organisms and Their Uses
E1192 Guide for Conducting Acute Toxicity Tests on Aqueous Ambient Samples and Effluents with Fishes, Macroinvertebrates,
and Amphibians
E1241 Guide for Conducting Early Life-Stage Toxicity Tests with Fishes
3
E1383 Guide for Conducting Sediment Toxicity Tests wit
...