Variability of aquatic model ecosystem‐derived data

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to determine the bioaccutnulation potential of several pesticides in aquatic model ecosystems and the variability of these results. Bioaccumulation ratios were low for four herbicides (10 to 290), intermediate (320 to 3740) for hexachlorobenzene and high (2580 to 14,550) for mirex. Coefficients of variation (CV) averaged 30 to 40 percent with a range of one to 75 percent. This model ecosystem derived data was about twice as variable as microcosm metabolism measurements and single species experiments, but one half to one fourth as variable as microcosm population responses.