ASTM E1711-12

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 environmenta...
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.  
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, asso...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2012
• 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)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E1711 − 12
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.
1.1 This guide covers some general information on methods
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
for qualitative and quantitative assessment of the behavioral
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responses of fish during standard laboratory toxicity tests to
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
measure the sublethal effects of exposure to chemical sub-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
stances. This guide is meant to be an adjunct to toxicity tests
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. While some safety
and should not interfere with those test procedures.
considerationsareincludedinthisguide,itisbeyondthescope
1.2 Behavioral toxicosis occurs when chemical or other
of this guide to encompass all safety requirements necessary to
stressful conditions, such as changes in water quality or
conduct behavioral toxicity tests. Specific hazards statements
temperature, induce a behavioral change that exceeds the
are given in Section 7.
normal range of variability (1). Behavior includes all of the
observable, recordable, or measurable activities of a living
2. Referenced Documents
organism and reflects genetic, neurobiological, physiological,
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
and environmental determinants (2).
E140 Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals Relationship
1.3 Behavioralmethodscanbeusedinbiomonitoring,inthe
Among Brinell Hardness, Vickers Hardness, Rockwell
determination of no-observed-effect and lowest-observed-
Hardness, Superficial Hardness, Knoop Hardness, Sclero-
effect concentrations, and in the prediction of hazardous
scope Hardness, and Leeb Hardness
chemical impacts on natural populations (3).
E729 Guide for Conducting Acute Toxicity Tests on Test
1.4 The behavioral methods described in this guide include Materials with Fishes, Macroinvertebrates, and Amphib-
locomotory activity, feeding, and social responses, which are ians
critical to the survival of fish (4). E1023 Guide for Assessing the Hazard of a Material to
Aquatic Organisms and Their Uses
1.5 This guide is arranged as follows:
E1241 GuideforConductingEarlyLife-StageToxicityTests
Section Number
with Fishes
Scope 1
Referenced Documents 2 E1383 Guide for Conducting Sediment Toxicity Tests with
3
Terminology 3
Freshwater Invertebrates
Summary of Guide 4
E1604 Guide for Behavioral Testing in Aquatic Toxicology
Significance and Use 5
Interferences 6
Safety Precautions 7
3. Terminology
Responses Measured 8
3.1 Definitions—The words “must,” “should,” “may,”
Test Organisms 9
Facility 10
“can,” and “might” have very specific meanings. “Must” is
Qualitative Behavioral Assessment Method 11
usedtoexpressanabsoluterequirement,thatis,tostatethatthe
Quantitative Behavioral Measurements 12
test ought to be designed to satisfy the specified condition,
Experimental Design 13
Calculation of Test Results 14
unless the purpose of the test requires a different design.
Report 15
“Must” is used only in connection with the factors that relate
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
directlytotheacceptabilityofthetest.“Should”isusedtostate
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
that the specified condition is recommended and ought to be
1
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE50onEnvironmental
2
Assessment, Risk Management and CorrectiveAction and is the direct responsibil- For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
ity of Subcommittee E50.47 on Biological Effects and Environmental Fate. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2012. Published February 2013. Originally Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as E1711 – 95(2008). the ASTM website.
3
DOI: 10.1520/E1711-12. Withdrawn.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1711 − 12
metifpossible.Althoughtheviolationofone“should”israrely laboratory exposures, including static, flow-through, sediment,
a serious matter, violation of several will often rend
...

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 − 95 (Reapproved 2008) E1711 − 12
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
1.6 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are
for information only.mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
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 and health 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E47 on Biological Effects and Environmental Fateand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E47.01 on
Aquatic Assessment and Toxicology.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2008Dec. 1, 2012. Published September 2003February 2013. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 20032008
ε1
as E1711 – 95(2003)(2008). . DOI: 10.1520/E1711-95R08.10.1520/E1711-13.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1711 − 12
E140 Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals Relationship Among Brinell Hardness, Vickers Hardness, Rockwell Hardness,
Superficial Hardness, Knoop Hardness, and Scleroscope Hardness
E729 Guide for Conducting Acute Toxicity Tests on Test Materials with Fishes, Macroinvertebrates, and Amphibians
E1023 Guide for Assessing the Hazard of a Material to Aquatic Organisms and Their Uses
E1241 Guide for Conducting Early Life-Stage Toxicity Tests with Fishes
3
E1383 Guide for Conducting Sediment Toxicity Tests with Freshwater Invertebrates (Withdrawn 1995)
E1604 Guide for Behavioral Testing in Aquatic Toxicology
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—The words “must,” “should,” “may,” “can,” and “might” have very specific meanings. “Must” is used to
express an absolute requirement, that is, to state that the test ought to be designed to satisfy the specified condition, unless the
pur
...