A Compendium of working water quality guidelines for British Columbia

A Compendium of Working Water Quality Guidelines for
British Columbia

N. K. Nagpal Ph.D. P.Ag.
L. W. Pommen M.Sc. P.Eng.
L. G. Swain P.Eng.

Ministry of Environment

Updated: August 2006

Table of Contents

Introduction

Tables

Table 1: Working Guidelines for the Water Column
Table 2: Working Guidelines for the Sediment

References

Introduction

Compendium of Working Guidelines for 2006.

The following questions and answers will introduce you to the 2006 Compendium of Working Water Quality Guidelines for British Columbia. They will explain what the report is about and guide you through its use. This report is revised periodically to incorporate new information. The authors invite your comments and suggestion on any errors or omissions in the guidelines cited here.

What are water quality guidelines and why are they important?

Water quality guidelines are environmental benchmarks. They are safe levels of substances for the protection of a given water use, including drinking water, aquatic life, recreation and agriculture. They are developed in order that water quality data can be assessed and site-specific water quality objectives can be prepared.

The Ministry of Environment has recently published, under a separate cover, a report on approved water quality guidelines: British Columbia Approved Water Quality Guidelines, 2006 Edition. It lists water quality guidelines for certain priority substances and has been approved by the executive for use in B.C.

What are Working Guidelines and why do we have them?

The Working Guidelines Compendium brings together guidelines that have not yet been approved by the Province-hence, called the working guidelines. These guidelines were obtained from various Canadian (primarily the Canadian Council of the Ministers of the Environment or CCME), and other North American jurisdictions. These working guidelines provide benchmarks for those subtances that have not yet been fully assessed and formally endorsed by the Ministry. They will be reviewed by the Ministry on a priority basis for their formal approval and use in British Columbia.

When are Working Guidelines used?

Working guidelines are used when there have not been guidelines approved by the province for a substance of concern to protect a particular water use. The working guidelines provide the best guidance that the Ministry can provide, at the time of publication, about safe levels for different substances in the environment. Because these estimates can be based on historic information or different derivation protocols, and are obtained from a number of different agencies, one should use them with caution.

Who can use this report?

Traditionally, water quality professionals such as consultants have used this report. We are hoping that members of the public, especially those associated with local stewardship groups, will use this new user-friendly edition of the report to evaluate water quality data that they collect.

What are sediment quality guidelines and how should they be used?

Sediment guidelines are generally stated in two ways:

Safe levels of substances that will protect aquatic life from adverse effects of toxic substance
Levels which, if exceeded, will cause severe effects on aquatic life.

These guidelines are not based on cause-effect studies, but on levels of toxic substances found in the sediment where biological effects have been measured. Caution should be exercised in the application of these guidelines.

What are site-specific water quality guidelines or objectives?

Site-specific water quality guidelines (or objectives) are a refinement of the province-wide guidelines. They are adapted to protect the most sensitive water use at a specific location, taking local circumstances into account. As suggested above, they have their basis in the water quality guidelines plus the site characteristics that may influence the toxic action of the substance of concern. The Ministry recognizes that site-specific factors may necessitate modification of the Approved or the Working guidelines and suggests means to do this in a 1997 publication: Methods for Deriving Site-Specific Water Quality Objectives in British Columbia and Yukon.

What is the difference between the British Columbia water quality guidelines and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment or CCME guidelines?

Care must be exercised when numbers from B.C. and CCME are compared. In some instances, B.C. guidelines for a substance may be specified as two values: one to protect aquatic life from short-term, lethal effects (i.e., the maximum value or the acute criterion) and the other to protect it from long-term, sub-lethal effects (the 30-day average value or the chronic criterion). On the other hand, a CCME water quality guideline is always specified as a single maximum value to protect aquatic life from all adverse effects. CCME guidelines and B.C. chronic guidelines are generally similar in value.

How do I find the guidelines for a substance in all these tables?

The substances are arranged in alphabetical order in Table 1 and Table 2. Substances in the water column are listed in Table 1 while substances in the bottom sediments are listed in Table 2. The last column in the Tables indicates the source of the guidelines.

Which water users are included in the tables?

There are six uses of water that require protection: aquatic life, wildlife, raw drinking water prior to treatment, recreation, irrigation and livestock watering. Values to protect drinking water and recreational water uses are mostly specified in the British Columbia Water Quality Guidelines: 2006 Edition.

How do I use the tables of values?

You determine for a waterbody the water uses that you want to ensure are protected. Knowing this, you go to the table for a substance and find the corresponding guideline for each use that you want to protect. Usually the lowest guideline associated with the uses that you want to protect will determine the level that must be met to ensure that all the uses are protected.

CAUTION: The guidelines as specified in the References cited take precedence over the guidelines in this summary document, and should be consulted when using the guidelines to ensure accuracy and a full understanding of the guidelines.

I have seen other references to similar reports issued by the Ministry in the past. Are those reports still valid?

As indicated above, this report is revised periodically to incorporate new information. Sections from the earlier versions that are still useful have been included in this 2006 report. This 2006 version and the British Columbia Water Quality Guidelines (Criteria): 2006 Edition supersede the following documents:

Preliminary Working Criteria for Water Quality, October 1982.
Working Criteria for Water Quality, April 1985.
Approved and Working Criteria for Water Quality, April 1987, March 1989, May 1991, February 1994 and April 1995.
A Compendium of Working Water Quality Guidelines for British Columbia: 1998 Edition and updated August 23, 2001.
British Columbia Approved Water Quality Guidelines (Criteria) 1998 Edition and updated August 24, 2001.

Which water quality guidelines have been developed by the Ministry?

Water quality guidelines for the following substances have been approved:

Substance
_____________________________________________________________________________

Algae
Aluminum
Ammonia
Arsenic
Benthic sedimentation
Boron
Carbon (organic)
Chlorate
Chloride
Chlorine
Chlorophenols
Cobalt
Coliforms
Colour
Copper
Cyanide
Diisopropanolamine (DIPA)
Dissolved Oxygen
Ethylbenzene
Fluoride
Lead
Manganese
Mercury
Methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE)
Microbiological indicators
Molybdenum

MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether
Nitrate
Nitrite
Nitrogen (nitrate, nitrite and ammonia)
Nutrients (phosphorus) and algae
Organic Carbon
Oxygen (dissolved)
PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)
Particulate matter (suspended solids and turbidity)
PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls)
pH
Phosphorus
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Pressure (total gas pressure
Selenium
Silver
Sulphate
Sulpholane
Suspended solids
Temperature
Toluene
Total gas pressure
Turbidity
Zinc

Which water quality guidelines are currently being developed by the Ministry?

Guidelines for the following substances are being developed or reviewed for possible formal approval by the ministry:

Substance
_____________________________

Barium
Benzene
Beryllium
Chromium
Dioxins and Furans
Iron
Xylene

What guidelines have changed since the 1998 (updated in 2001) edition?

Guidelines have been added for:

Beryllium - drinking water
DDAC (didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) - freshwater aquatic life
IPBC (3-lodo-2-propynl butyl carbamate) - freshwater aquatic life
Nonyphenol and its ethoxylates - freshwater & marine aquatic life & sediment
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - Quinoline - freshwater aquatic life
Styrene - freshwater aquatic life
Thallium - freshwater aquatic life
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzo furans - freshwater & marine sediment
Toxaphene - freshwater & marine sediment

Guidelines have been revised for:

DDT (dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane) - freshwater & marine sediment
Endrin - marine sediment
Lithium - freshwater aquatic life
Diazinon - freshwater aquatic life
Potassium - freshwater aquatic life

Guidelines have been deleted for:

Acrolein - livestock
Aldrin & Dieldrin - freshwater aquatic life
Arsenic - approved B.C. guidelines adopted
Beryllium - freshwater aquatic life
Boron - approved B.C. guidelines adopted
Calcium - food processing & industrial
Chlordane - freshwater aquatic life & livestock
Chloride - approved B.C. guidelines adopted
Cobalt - freshwater aquatic life - approved B.C. guidelines adopted
DDT (dichlorodiphenyl trichlorethane) - freshwater aquatic life & livestock
Diazanon - livestock
Endrin - freshwater aquatic life & livestock
Heptachlor - freshwater aquatic life & livestock
Methylene chloride - drinking water
Phenols - aquatic life
Toluene - approved B.C. guidelines adopted

What other tools does the Ministry have to help one assess water quality?

In addition to the Guidelines, the Ministry has developed several tools that can be used to assess water quality. For instance, the Principles document and the User's Guide, (see below) outline the process that can be used to develop site-specific water quality objectives. The Status Report indicates the state of water quality for waterbodies in BC where data are available. The Ministry is also developing manuals that will help in designing and implementing monitoring programs, and interpreting water quality data. Titles of the completed reports are listed below:

Return to the Table of Contents

Tables

Table 1. Working Guidelines for the Water Column

Substance	Working Guidelines	References
Aldicarb - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, (aldicarb, aldicarb sulfoxide, aldicarb sulfone) 1, interim maximum	1
Aldicarb - marine aquatic life	µg/L, (aldicarb, aldicarb sulfoxide, aldicarb sulfone) 0.15, interim maximum	1
Aldicarb - livestock	µg/L, (aldicarb, aldicarb sulfoxide, aldicarb sulfone) 11, interim maximum	1
Aldicarb - irrigation	µg/L, (aldicarb, aldicarb sulfoxide, aldicarb sulfone) 54.9, interim maximum, other non-target crops	1
Alkalinity - food processing	mg/L, total CaCO3 30 to 250 (process dependent)	1
Alkalinity - industrial (process dependent)	mg/L, total CaCO3 0.5, iron and steel 125 to 150, chemical 130, tanning 50 to 75, textiles 1 to 1000, boilers 20 to 500, cooling 40 to 150, pulp and paper	1
Alkalinity - freshwater aquatic life	mg/L, total CaCO3 up to 10, highly sensitive to acid inputs 10 to 20, moderately sensitive over 20 low sensitivity refer to calcium regarding sensitivity to acid inputs, the more restrictive of calcium or alkalinity is applicable	2
Aniline - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 2.2, maximum	1
Antimony - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 20, proposed Ontario guideline	4
Antimony - human health concerns	µg/L, total 14, human health protection (consumption of water + organisms) 4300 human health protection (consumption of organisms only)	3
Atrazine - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, Atrazine + metabolites 1.8 maximum	1
Atrazine - marine aquatic life	µg/L, Atrazine + metabolites 10 maximum	7
Atrazine - irrigation	µg/L, Atrazine + metabolites 10 interim maximum	1
Atrazine - livestock	µg/L, Atrazine + metabolites 5 interim maximum	1

Barium - freshwater aquatic life	mg/L, total (under Ministry review) 1, 30-/day average 5, maximum	8
Barium - marine aquatic life	mg/L, total (under Ministry review) 0.5, minimal risk 1, hazard	5 (p. 244)
Barium - marine aquatic life	mg/L, total (under Ministry review) 0.2, adverse effects on a bivalve	9
Benzene - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total (under Ministry review) 370, interim maximum	1
Benzene - marine aquatic life	µg/L, total (under Ministry review) 110, interim maximum	1
Beryllium - drinking water	µg/L, total 4.0, maximum contaminant level	52
Beryllium - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total (under Ministry review) 5.3, chronic criterion	10
Beryllium - marine aquatic life	µg/L, total (under Ministry review) 100, minimal risk 1500, hazard	5 (p. 244)
Beryllium - livestock	µg/L, total (under Ministry review) 100, tentative maximum	1
Beryllium - irrigation	µg/L, total (under Ministry review) 100, maximum, continuous use, all soils	1
Beryllium - irrigation	µg/L, total (under Ministry review) 500, maximum, up to 20 years on fine-textured, neutral to alkaline soils	11 (p. 21) 12 (p. 41) 5 (p. 341)
Bromide - drinking water	µg/L 50, annual mean of monthly raw water samples for systems using ozonation less than 50 requires reduced bromate monitoring of treated water greater than 50 requires increased bromate monitoring of treated water	51 (1999)
Bromocil - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 5, maximum	1
Bromocil - livestock	µg/L, total 1100, interim maximum	1
Bromocil - irrigation	µg/L, total 0.2, interim maximum	1
Bromoxynl - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 5, maximum	1
Bromoxynl - livestock	µg/L, total 11, maximum for most sensitive animals	1
Bromoxynl - irrigation	µg/L, total 0.33, maximum for most sensitive legume species	1

Cadmium - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total cadmium = 10 exp (0.86[log{hardness}]-3.2) 0.01 at 30 mg/L CaCO₃ 0.02 at 60 mg/L CaCO₃ 0.03 at 90 mg/L CaCO₃ 0.04 at 120 mg/L CaCO₃ 0.05 at 150 mg/L CaCO₃ 0.06 at 210 mg/L CaCO₃	1
Cadmium - marine aquatic life	µg/L, total 0.12, maximum	1
Cadmium - livestock	µg/L, total (under Ministry review) 80, maximum	1
Cadmium - irrigation	µg/L, total (under Ministry review) 5.1, maximum	1
Calcium - freshwater aquatic life	mg/L, dissolved up to 4, highly sensitive to acid inputs 4 to 8, moderately sensitive over 8 low sensitivity refer to alkalinity the more restrictive of calcium or alkalinity applies	2
Calcium - livestock	mg/L, dissolved 1000, maximum less if high levels of other major ions present	1
Captan - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 1.3, interim maximum	1
Captan - livestock	µg/L, total 13, interim maximum	1
Carbaryl - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 0.20 maximum	1
Carbaryl - marine aquatic life	µg/L, total 0.32, interim maximum	1
Carbaryl - livestock	µg/L, total 1100, maximum	1
Carbofuran - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 1.8, maximum	1
Carbofuran - livestock	µg/L, total 45, maximum	1
Carbon tetrachloride - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 13.3, interim maximum	1
Carbon tetrachloride - livestock	µg/L, total 5, interim maximum	1
Chlorobenzenes - livestock hexachlorobenzene	µg/L, total 0.52, interim maximum	1
Chlorobenzenes - marine aquatic life monochlorobenzene	µg/L, total 25, interim maximum	1
Chlorobenzenes -marine aquatic life 1,2-dichlorobenzene	µg/L, total 42, interim maximum	1
Chlorobenzenes - marine aquatic life 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene	µg/L, total 5.4, interim maximum	1
Chlorobenzenes - freshwater aquatic life monochlorobenzene	µg/L, total 1.3, interim maximum	1
Chlorobenzenes - freshwater aquatic life 1,2-dichlorobenzene	µg/L, total 0.7, interim maximum	1
Chlorobenzenes - freshwater aquatic life 1,3-dichlorobenzene	µg/L, total 150, interim maximum	1
Chlorobenzenes - freshwater aquatic life 1,4-dichlorobenzene	µg/L, total 26, interim maximum	1
Chlorobenzenes - freshwater aquatic life 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene	µg/L, total 8, interim maximum	1
Chlorobenzenes - freshwater aquatic life 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene	µg/L, total 24, interim maximum	1
Chlorobenzenes - freshwater aquatic life 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene	µg/L, total 1.8, interim maximum	1
Chlorobenzenes - freshwater aquatic life pentachlorobenzene	µg/L, total 6, interim maximum	1
Chloroethanes - freshwater aquatic life 1,2-dichloroethane	µg/L, total 100, interim maximum	1
Chloroethanes - freshwater aquatic life 1,2-dichloroethane	µg/L, total 5, interim maximum	1
Chloroethenes - freshwater aquatic life 1,1,2-trichloroethene (trichloroethylene, TCE)	µg/L, total 21, interim maximum	1
Chloroethenes - livestock 1,1,2-trichloroethene (trichloroethylene, TCE)	µg/L, total 50, interim maximum	1
Chloroethenes - freshwater aquatic life 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethene (tetrachloroethylene, PCE)	µg/L, total 111, interim maximum	1
Chloromethanes - freshwater aquatic life dichloromethane (Methylene chloride)	µg/L, total 98.1, interim maximum	1
Chloromethanes - livestock dichloromethane (Methylene chloride)	µg/L, total 50, interim maximum	1
Chloromethanes Chloroform -freshwater aquatic life (trichloromethane)	µg/L, total trichloromethane 1.8, interim maximum	1
Chloromethanes Chloroform - livestock (trichloromethane)	µg/L, total 100, interim maximum	1
Chloromethanes - freshwater aquatic life tetrachloromethane (carbon tetrachloride)	µg/L, total 13.3, interim maximum	1
Chloromethanes - livestock tetrachloromethane (carbon tetrachloride)	µg/L, total 5, interim maximum	1
4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy acetic acid (MCPA) - drinking water	µg/L, total 10, lifetime health advisory	15
4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy acetic acid (MCPA) - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 2.6, interim maximum	1
4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy acetic acid (MCPA) - marine aquatic life	µg/L, total 4.2, interim maximum	1
4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy acetic acid (MCPA) - livestock	µg/L, total 25, interim maximum	1
4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy acetic acid (MCPA) - irrigation	µg/L, total 0.025, maximum	1
Chlorothalonil - drinking water 2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1,3 benzenedicarbonitrile	µg/L, total 200, health advisory	15
Chlorothalonil - freshwater aquatic life 2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1,3 benzenedicarbonitrile	µg/L, total 0.18, interim maximum, chlorothalonil + 4-hydroxy transformation product	1
Chlorothalonil - marine aquatic life 2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1,3 benzenedicarbonitrile	µg/L, total 0.36, interim maximum, chlorothalonil + 4-hydroxy transformation product	1
Chlorothalonil - livestock 2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1,3 benzenedicarbonitrile	µg/L, total 170, interim maximum	1
Chlorothalonil - irrigation 2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1,3 benzenedicarbonitrile	µg/L, total 5.8, interim maximum	1
Chlorpyrifos - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 0.0035, maximum	1
Chlorpyrifos - marine aquatic life	µg/L, total 0.002, interim maximum	1
Chlorpyrifos - livestock	µg/L, total 24, interim maximum	1
Chromium - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total (under Ministry review) 1, maximum, Cr(VI) 8.9, interim maximum, Cr(III)	1
Chromium - marine aquatic life	µg/L, total (under Ministry review) 1.5, maximum, Cr(VI) 56, interim maximum, Cr(III)	1
Chromium - livestock	µg/L, total (under Ministry review) 50, maximum Cr(VI) 50, interim maximum Cr(III)	1
Chromium - irrigation	µg/L, total (under Ministry review) 8, maximum Cr(VI) 4.9, interim maximum Cr(III)	1
Cobalt - livestock	µg/L, total 1000, maximum	1
Cobalt - irrigation	µg/L, total 50, maximum (continuous use on all soils) 5000, maximum (for up to 20-year use on fine-textured neutral to alkaline soils)	1
Colour - industrial	true colour, process dependent 5, textiles and tanning 5 to 20, chemicals 25 to 100, pulp and paper	1
Conductivity (specific) - livestock	µS/cm, (see also filterable residue and salinity) 1400 to 4200, maximum, species dependent	1
Conductivity (specific) - irrigation	µS/cm, (see also filterable residue and salinity) 700 to 5000, soil and crop dependent	1
Conductivity (specific) - industrial	µS/cm, (see also filterable residue and salinity) 0.7 to 8000, boilers, process dependent 140 to 4000, cooling, process dependent	1
Cyanazine - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 2, interim maximum	1
Cyanazine - irrigation	µg/L, total 0.5, interim maximum	1
Cyanazine - livestock	µg/L, total 10, interim maximum (same as drinking water)	1

2,4-D - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) 4, maximum (ester formulation)	1
2,4-D - livestock	µg/L, total (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) 100, maximum	1
DDAC (didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 1.5, maximum	1
Dehydroabietic Acid - freshwater aquatic life	See Resin Acids	38
Deltamethrin -freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 0.0004, maximum	1
Deltamethrin -livestock	µg/L, total 2.5, maximum	1
Diazinon - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 0.08, Ontario’s objective 0.043, secondary chronic value	24 14
Dibutylphthalate (DBP) Phthalate ester - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 19, interim maximum	1
Dicamba - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 10, interim maximum	1
Dicamba - livestock	µg/L, total 122, maximum	1
Dicamba - irrigation	µg/L, total 0.006, maximum	1
1,2-dichloroethane - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 100, interim maximum, protection and maintenance	1
1,2-dichloroethane - livestock	µg/L, total 5, interim maximum (same as drinking water)	1
2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 2,4-D acid 4, maximum (ester formulation)	1
2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid - livestock	µg/L, total 2,4-D acid 100, maximum	1
Diclofop-methyl - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 6.1, maximum	1
Diclofop-methyl - livestock	µg/L, total 9, interim maximum	1
Diclofop-methyl - irrigation	µg/L, total 0.18, maximum	1
Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) Phthalate ester - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 16, interim maximum	1
Dimethoate - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 6.2, interim maximum	1
Dimethoate - livestock	µg/L, total 3, interim maximum	1
Di-n-butyl tin - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 0.08, Ontario objective	25
Dinoseb - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 0.05, maximum	1
Dinoseb - livestock	µg/L, total 150, maximum, protects lactating dairy cows	1
Dinoseb - irrigation	µg/L, total 93, maximum for legumes 46, maximum for cereals and hay 16, maximum for all other crops	1
Dissolved Solids (residue, filterable) - food processing	mg/L, total dissolved 50 to 850, process dependent	1
Dissolved Solids (residue, filterable) - livestock	mg/L, total dissolved 1000, maximum, sensitive species 3000, maximum, other species	1
Dissolved Solids (residue, filterable) - irrigation	mg/L, total dissolved 500 to 3500, maximum, crop and soil dependent	1
Dissolved Solids (residue, filterable) - industrial	mg/L, total dissolved, process dependent 0.5, boilers 100, textiles 750, petroleum 1000, iron and steel 200, chemical 200 to 500, pulp and paper 500 to 35000, cooling	1

Endosulfan
- freshwater aquatic life

µ/L, total
0.02, maximum

Ethylene glycol
- freshwater aquatic life

mg/L, total
192, interim maximum

Floatable Solids
- industrial

mg/L, total
0, iron and steel

Glyphosate
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
65, interim maximum

Glyphosate
- livestock

µg/L, total
280, maximum, same as drinking water

Halogenated methanes (see also Choloromethanes) tribromomethane (Bromoform)
- livestock

µg/L, total
100, maximum

Halogenated methanes
dichlorobromomethane
- livestock

µg/L, total
100, maximum

Halogenated methanes
dibromochloromethane
- livestock

µg/L, total
100, maximum

Hardness
- food processing

µg/L, total dissolved
10 to 250, process dependent

Hardness
- industrial process dependent

µg/L, total dissolved
0.07 to 1, boilers
0 to 150, tanning
8 to 55, textiles
0.1 to 100, iron and steel
130 to 6250, cooling
low to 350, chemical
350, petroleum
100, pulp and paper

Hexachloro-1,3-butadiene (HCBD)
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
1.3, interim maximum

Hexachlorocyclohexane

see Lindane

—

IPBC (3-lodo-2-propynl butyl carbamate)
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
1.9, interim maximum

Lead
- freshwater aquatic life
tetra-ethyl lead

µg/L, total organic
0.0007, maximum, Ontario objective

Lead
- freshwater aquatic life
tri-ethyl lead

µg/L, total organic
0.4, maximum, Ontario objective

Lead
- freshwater aquatic life
tetra-methyl lead

µg/L, total organic
0.006, maximum, Ontario objective

Lindane
- freshwater aquatic life
hexachlorocyclohexane

µg/L, total
0.01, maximum

Lindane
- livestock
hexachlorocyclohexane

µg/L, total
4, maximum

Linuron
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
7, interim maximum

Linuron
- irrigation

µg/L, total
3.3, maximum, cereals, hay, pastures
0.071, interim maximum, other crops

Lithium
- freshwater aquatic life

mg/L, total
0.014, secondary chronic value
0.096 Final chronic value
0.870 Aquatic maximum value

14
16
16

Lithium
- irrigation

mg/L, total
2.5, maximum, continuous use on all soils
(this may be too high for cereals since
1 mg/L suppressed barley growth)

1, 5

Magnesium - food processing	mg/L, total 10 to 30, process dependent	1
Magnesium - industrial	mg/L, total, process dependent 0.01, boilers 2 to 35, chemicals 12, pulp and paper 25, petroleum	1
Malathion - freshwater aquatic life - marine aquatic life	µg/L, total 0.1, maximum	10
Manganese - food processing	µg/L, total 30 to 200, process dependent	1
Manganese - marine aquatic life	µg/L, total 100, to protect consumers of shellfish	10
Manganese - irrigation	µg/L, total 200, maximum, continuous use on all soils 10000, maximum for up to 20 years on neutral to alkaline fine-textured soils	1
Manganese - industrial	µg/L 10, boilers 10 to 50, textiles 100 to 500, pulp and paper 10 to 200, tanning 20 to 100, chemical 20 to 50, cooling water	1
MCPA (4-chloro-2-methyl phenoxy acetic acid; 2-methyl-4-chloro phenoxy acetic acid) - drinking water	µg/L, total 10, lifetime health advisory	15
MCPA (4-chloro-2-methyl phenoxy acetic acid; 2-methyl-4-chloro phenoxy acetic acid) - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 2.6, interim maximum	1
MCPA (4-chloro-2-methyl phenoxy acetic acid; 2-methyl-4-chloro phenoxy acetic acid) - marine aquatic life	µg/L, total 4.2, interim maximum	1
MCPA (4-chloro-2-methyl phenoxy acetic acid; 2-methyl-4-chloro phenoxy acetic acid) - livestock	µg/L, total 25, interim maximum	1
MCPA (4-chloro-2-methyl phenoxy acetic acid; 2-methyl-4-chloro phenoxy acetic acid) - irrigation	µg/L, total 0.16, cereals, hay and pastures 0.025, other crops	1
Methylene Chloride - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 98.1, interim maximum	1
Methylene Chloride - livestock	µg/L, total 50, interim maximum	1
Metolachlor - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 7.8, interim maximum	1
Metolachlor - irrigation	µg/L, total 28, interim maximum, crops	1
Metolachlor - livestock	µg/L, total 50, interim maximum, same as drinking water	1
Metribuzin - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 1, interim maximum	1
Metribuzin - irrigation	µg/L, total 0.5, interim maximum, non-target crop species	1
Metribuzin - livestock	µg/L, total 80, interim maximum, same as drinking water	1
Nickel - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 25, maximum at hardness of 0 to 60 mg/L as CaCO3 65, maximum at hardness of 60 to 120 mg/L as CaCO3 110, maximum at hardness of 120 to 180 mg/L as CaCO3 150, maximum at hardness greater than 180 mg/L as CaCO3	1
Nickel - marine aquatic life	µg/L, total 8.3, 4-day average 75, 1-hour average	10
Nickel - livestock	µg/L, total 1000, maximum	1
Nickel - irrigation	µg/L, total 200, maximum, continuous use on all soils 2000 maximum, 20-year use on neutral to alkaline fine-textured soils	1
Nonylphenol (NP) and its ethoxylates - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 1.0, interim maximum, expressed on a toxic equivalency (TEQ) basis using NP toxic equivalency factors (TEFs). See reference.	1
Nonylphenol (NP) and its ethoxylates - marine aquatic life	µg/L, total 0.7, interim maximum, expressed on a toxic equivalency (TEQ) basis using NP toxic equivalency factors (TEFs). See reference.	1
Oil and Grease - freshwater aquatic life	mg/L, total the surface water should be virtually free of petroleum, animal or vegetable oils	22
Oil and Grease - industrial	mg/L, total, process dependent 0, iron and steel 0.2 to 1, boilers	1
Organotins	See Tin.
pH - industrial	pH, process dependent 2.5 to 10.5, textiles 7 to 10.5, boilers 6 to 9, petroleum 6 to 8, tanning 5 to 8.3, cooling 5 to 8.7, chemical 5 to 9, iron and steel 6 to 8, pulp and paper	1
Phthalate esters (DBP) Dibutylphthalate - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 19, interim maximum	1
Phthalate esters (DEHP) Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 16, interim maximum	1
Picloram - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 29, interim maximum	1
Picloram - livestock	µg/L, total 190, interim maximum, same as drinking water	1
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) Quinoline - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 3.4 , interim maximum (See Approved B.C. guidelines for other PAHs.)	1
Potassium - freshwater aquatic life	mg/L, as KCl 373 - 432, threshold for Daphnia magna immobilization	17

1,2-propylene glycol - freshwater aquatic life	mg/L, total 500, interim maximum	1
Residue, filterable (dissolved solids) - food processing	mg/L, total dissolved 50 to 850, process dependent	1
Residue, filterable (dissolved solids) - livestock	mg/L, total dissolved 1000, maximum, sensitive species 3000, maximum, other species	1
Residue, filterable (dissolved solids) - irrigation	mg/L, total dissolved 500 to 3500, maximum, crop and soil dependent	1
Residue, filterable (dissolved solids) - industrial	mg/L, total dissolved, process dependent 0.5, boilers 100, textiles 750, petroleum 1000, iron and steel 200, chemical 200 to 500, pulp and paper 500 to 35000, cooling	1
Residue, filterable (suspended solids) - food processing	mg/L, total 0 to 500	1
Residue, filterable (suspended solids) - industrial	mg/L, total, process dependent 0.05, boilers 5, textiles 10, petroleum 0 to 25, iron and steel 5 to 10, chemical 10, pulp and paper 100 to 5000, cooling	1
Resin Acids dehydroabietic acid (DHA) - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 1 at pH 5.0 2 at pH 5.5 2 at pH 6.0 4 at pH 6.5 8 at pH 7.0 12 at pH 7.5 13 at pH 8.0 14 at pH 8.5 14 at pH 9.0	38
Resin Acids (total) abietic acid neoabietic acid pimaric acid isopimaric acid sandaracopimaric acid - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 1 at pH 5.0 3 at pH 5.5 4 at pH 6.0 9 at pH 6.5 25 at pH 7.0 45 at pH 7.5 52 at pH 8.0 60 at pH 8.5 62 at pH 9.0	38
Salinity - freshwater aquatic life - terrestrial wildlife	g/L of NaCl or equivalent (the sea is about 35 g/L or 3.5%) 1.5, maximum	24 (p.32)
Salinity - marine aquatic life - estuarine aquatic life	g/L of NaCl or equivalent (the sea is about 35 g/L or 3.5%) + or - 10%, maximum change	24 (p.68)
Salinity - marine aquatic life - estuarine aquatic life - estuarine wildlife	g/L of NaCl or equivalent (the sea is about 35 g/L or 3.5%) 6, maximum for waterfowl marshes to protect vegetation For natural communities the maximum 24-hour change should not exceed 1 if natural salinity is 0 to 3.5 2 if natural salinity is 3.5 to 13.5 4 if natural salinity is 13.5 to 35	24 (p.53)
Salinity - recreation	g/L of NaCl or equivalent (the sea is about 35 g/L or 3.5%) 9, ideal 5 to 20, acceptable range this is isotonic to blood and tears	24 (p.18)
Settleable Solids - industrial	mg/L, total 0 to 100, iron and steel	1
Silica - food processing	mg/L, total 0 to 50, process dependent	1
Silica - industrial	mg/L, total, process dependent 0.01 to 150, boilers 25 to 200, cooling 20 to 100, pulp and paper 25, textiles	1
Simazine - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 10, interim maximum	1
Simazine - irrigation	µg/L, total 0.5, interim maximum protection of non-target crops	1
Simazine - livestock	µg/L, total 10, interim maximum same as drinking water	1
Sodium - irrigation	mg/L, dissolved crop, soil and water regime dependent	1
Solids, Floatable - industrial	mg/L, total 0, iron and steel	1
Solids, Settleable - industrial	mg/L, total 0 to 100, iron and steel	1
Solids, Suspended (residue, non-filterable) - food processing	mg/L, total 0 to 500	1
Solids, Suspended (residue, non-filterable) - industrial	mg/L, total, process dependent 0.05, boilers 5, textiles 10, petroleum 0 to 25, iron and steel 5 to 10, chemical 10, pulp and paper 100 to 5000, cooling	1
Styrene - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 72, interim maximum	1
Sulphate - livestock	mg/L, dissolved 1000, maximum	1
Sulphate - industrial	mg/L, dissolved process dependent 175 to 200, iron and steel 250, tanning 200 to 2700, cooling	1
Sulphide - food processing	µg/L, as H2S 200, detected by smell in air at 2 ppb and in water at 0.025 to 0.25 µg/L	1
Sulphide - industrial	µg/L, as total sulphide 5000, cooling water	1
Sulphide - freshwater aquatic life - marine aquatic life	µg/L, as H2S 2, detected by smell in air at 2 ppb and in water at 0.025 to 0.25 µg/L	11 (p. 213) 12, 15
Surfactant, LAS - drinking water	µg/L, total 500	5 (p. 67)
Surfactant - freshwater aquatic life	µg/L, total 200 Linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LAS); 65 LAS -99% level of protection 340 Alcohol ethoxylated sulphate (AES) - 99% level of protection; 50 Alcohol ethoxylated surfactants (AE) - 99% level of protection	5 (p. 191) 19 (p. 3.4-10)
Suspended Solids (residue, non-filterable) - food processing	mg/L, total 0 to 500	1
Suspended Solids (residue, non-filterable) - industrial	mg/L, total, process dependent 0.05, boilers 5, textiles 10, petroleum 0 to 25, iron and steel 5 to 10, chemical 10, pulp and paper 100 to 5000, cooling	1

Tannins and Lignins
- drinking water

µg/L, total
400, taste and odour threshold

Tebuthiuron
1-(5-tert-butyl-1,3,4-
thiadiazol-2-yl)-1,3-dimethylurea
- drinking water

µg/L, total
490, lifetime health advisory

Tebuthiuron
1-(5-tert-butyl-1,3,4-
thiadiazol-2-yl)-1,3-dimethylurea
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
1.6, interim maximum

Tebuthiuron
1-(5-tert-butyl-1,3,4-
thiadiazol-2-yl)-1,3-dimethylurea
- livestock

µg/L, total
130, interim maximum

Tebuthiuron
1-(5-tert-butyl-1,3,4-
thiadiazol-2-yl)-1,3-dimethylurea
- irrigation

µg/L, total
0.27, interim maximum for cereals, hay and pasture

Tetrachloroethylene
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
111, interim maximum

Thallium
- drinking water

µg/L, total
2, maximum
0.5, maximum contaminant level goal

Thallium
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
1.7, human health, consumption of
water + organism
6.3, human health, consumption of
organism only

Thallium
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
0.8, 30-day average, site-specific objective for the lower Columbia River, B.C.

Thallium
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
0.3, water quality objective for Ontario

Tin, Organic
Di-n-butyl tin
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
0.08, Ontario objective

Tin, Organic
Tributyl tin
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
0.008, interim maximum

Tin, Organic
Tributyl tin
- marine aquatic life

µg/L, total
0.001, interim maximum

Tin, Organic
Tributyl tin
- livestock

µg/L, total
250, maximum, especially dairy cattle

Tin, Organic
Tricyclohexyl tin
- livestock

µg/L, total
250, interim maximum, especially dairy cattle

Tin, Organic
Triethyl tin
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
0.4, Ontario objective

Tin, Organic
Triphenyl tin
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
0.022, interim maximum

Tin, Organic
Triphenyl tin
- marine aquatic life

µg/L, total
96-hour LC50 = 34 to 48.9

Tin, Organic
Triphenyl tin
- livestock

µg/L, total
820, maximum, especially dairy cattle

Titanium
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
2000,median threshold level: Scenedesmus
4600,median threshold level : Daphnia

17 (page 286)

Triallate
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
0.24, interim maximum

Triallate
- livestock

µg/L, total
230, interim maximum, same as drinking water

Tributyl tin
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
0.008, interim maximum

Tributyl tin
- marine aquatic life

µg/L, total
0.001, interim maximum

Tributyl tin
- livestock

µg/L, total
250, maximum, especially dairy cattle

1,1,1-trichloroethane
- drinking water

µg/L, total
200, maximum acceptable concentration

10, 26

1,1,1-trichloroethane
- freshwater aquatic life

mg/L, total
11.1, 96-hour EC50 for P. promelas
(loss of equilibrium, narcosis, etc.)

Trichloroethylene
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
21, interim maximum

Trichloroethylene
- livestock

µg/L, total
50, interim maximum

Trichloromethane
- aquatic life (chloroform)

µg/L, total
1.8, interim maximum

Tricyclohexyl tin
- livestock

µg/L, total
250, interim maximum, especially dairy cattle

Triethyl tin
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
0.4, Ontario objective

Trifluralin
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
0.2, maximum

Trifluralin
- livestock

µg/L, total
45, interim, same as drinking water

Triphenyl tin
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
0.022, interim maximum

Triphenyl tin
- marine aquatic life

µg/L, total
96-hour LC50 = 34 to 48.9

Triphenyl tin
- livestock

µg/L, total
820, interim maximum, especially dairy cattle

Turbidity
- food processing

NTU, process dependent
1 to 10

Turbidity
- industrial

NTU, process dependent
0, tanning
0.3 to 15, textiles
10 to 100, pulp and paper
1 to 2, chemical

Uranium
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
300, maximum
500, Ontario’s water quality objectives

27
24

Uranium
- marine aquatic life

µg/L, total
100, minimal risk
500, hazardous

5 (p. 257)

Uranium
- livestock

µg/L, total
200, maximum

Uranium
- irrigation

µg/L, total
10, interim maximum, continuous or intermittent use on all soils
100, maximum for up to 20-years use
on fine-textured soils
with pH greater than or equal to 7

Vanadium
- freshwater aquatic life

µg/L, total
6, Ontario’s water quality objective
20, secondary chronic value

24
14

Vanadium
- marine aquatic life

µg/L, total
50, trigger value for 99% level of protection

Vanadium
- livestock

µg/L, total
100, maximum

Vanadium
- irrigation

µg/L, total
100, maximum, continuous use on all soils
1000, maximum for 20-year use
on fine-textured soils
with pH less than or equal to 7

Zinc
- industrial

mg/L, total
0.01, boilers

1. Colour — One TCU (true colour unit) is theoretically equal to 2 TAC (total absorbance colour) unit, but correlation between the two methods is poor.

2. Conductivity — Livestock and Irrigation values are derived from reference #1 assuming 1 mg/L filterable residue is about equal to 1.4 µS/cm.

3. Iron — Dissolved iron and iron precipitates are the important forms to consider. Total iron is often high due to iron content of suspended sediment and this is not important.

4. Manganese — Dissolved manganese and manganese precipitates are the important forms to consider. Total manganese is often high due to manganese content of suspended sediment and thus is not important.

5. Nickel — For freshwater aquatic life nickel was lethal (7-day test) to C. dubia at 7 µg/L (hardness = 40 mg/L CaCO₃) and 15 µg/L (hardness = 177 mg/L CaCO₃). See reference 21.

6. Resin Acids — Total resin acids include abietic acid, neoabietic acid, pimaric acid, isopimaric acid, and sandaracopimaric acid but not dehydroabietic acid.

7. Sulphide — Total sulphide = dissolved H₂S + HS + acid-soluble metal sulphides present in suspended matter. Dissolved sulphide is that remaining after suspended solids have been removed after flocculation or settling. In aquatic environments, H₂S and HS are in equilibrium as H₂S = H+ + HS-. The un-ionized H₂S can be calculated from dissolved sulphide, the sample pH and the ionization constant (which is dependent on the sample water temperature) of H₂S.

8. X. (app. y) in the references refers to appendix y in reference X.

Return to the Table of Contents

Table 2. Working Guidelines for the Sediments

Substance

Working Guidelines (dry-weight basis)

References

Aldrin
- freshwater

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.002 lowest effect level based on SLC
0.08 severe effect level based on SLC

Aldrin
- marine

µg/g
0.005 EPA chronic marine EqP threshold
0.0001 significantly toxic to R. abronius based on CoA

Arsenic (total)
- freshwater

µg/g
5.9 ISQG
17 PEL

Arsenic (total
- marine

µg/g
7.24 ISQG
42 PEL

Benzene hexachloride

This is a conserved misleading name for
Hexachlorocyclohexane, it is not an aromatic compound. This is not the same compound as Hexachlorobenzene.

—

Benzene hexachloride-total
BHC-total
Hexachlorocyclohexane
see also Lindane (gamma isomer)
- freshwater

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.003 lowest effect level based on SLC
0.12 severe effect level based on SLC

Benzene hexachloride-alpha
BHC-alpha
Hexachlorocyclohexane
see also Lindane (gamma isomer)
- freshwater

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.006 lowest effect level based on SLC
0.10 severe effect level based on SLC

Benzene hexachloride-beta
BHC-beta
Hexachlorocyclohexane
see also Lindane (gamma isomer)
- freshwater

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.005 lowest effect level based on SLC
0.21 severe effect level based on SLC

Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
- marine

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.47 no adverse effect on biota
0.78 minor adverse effects

Butyl benzyl phthalate
- marine

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.049 no adverse effect on biota
0.64 minor adverse effects

Cadmium (total)
- freshwater

µg/g
0.6, ISQG
3.5 PEL

Cadmium (total)
- marine

µg/g
0.7 ISQG
4.2 PEL

Chlordane (total)
- freshwater

µg/g
0.0045 ISQG
0.00887 PEL

Chlordane (total)
- marine

µg/g
0.00226 ISQG
0.00479 PEL

Chromium (total)
- freshwater

µg/g
37.3 ISQG
90 PEL

Chromium (total)
- marine

µg/g
52.3 ISQG
160 PEL

Copper (total)
- freshwater

µg/g
35.7 ISQG
197 PEL

Copper (total)
- marine

µg/g
18.7 ISQG
108 PEL

Dibenzofuran
- marine

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.15 no adverse effect on biota
0.58 minor adverse effects

1,2-Dichlorobenzene

µg/g, (sediment containing 1% organic carbon)
0.023 no adverse effects on biota

1,4-Dichlorobenzene

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.031 no adverse effects on biota
0.09 minor adverse effects

Dichloro diphenyl dichloroethane
1,1-Dichloro 2,2-bis
(p-chloro-phenyl) ethane
- freshwater
p,p'-DDD

µg/g
0.00354 ISQG
0.00851 PEL

Dichloro diphenyl dichloroethane
1,1-Dichloro 2,2-bis
(p-chloro-phenyl) ethane
- marine
p,p'-DDD

µg/g
0.00122 ISQG
0.00781 PEL

Dichloro diphenyl dichloroethene
1,1-Dichloro 2,2-bis
(p-chloro-phenyl) ethene
- freshwater
p,p'-DDE

µg/g
0.00142 ISQG
0.00675 PEL

Dichloro diphenyl dichloroethene
1,1-Dichloro 2,2-bis
(p-chloro-phenyl) ethene
- marine
p,p'-DDE

µg/g
0.00207 ISQG
0.374 PEL

Dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane
1,1,1-Trichloro 2,2-bis
(p-chloro-phenyl) ethane
- freshwater & marine
total DDT

µg/g
0.00119 ISQG
0.00477 PEL

Dieldrin
- freshwater

µg/g
0.00285 ISQG
0.00667 PEL

Dieldrin
- marine

µg/g
0.00071 ISQG
0.0043 PEL

Diethyl phthalate
- marine

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.61 no adverse effect on biota
1.10 minor adverse effects

Diethyl phthalate
- marine

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.61 lowest AET benthic community composition

Dimetyl phthalate
- marine

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.53 no adverse effects on biota

Di-n-butyl phthalate
- marine

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
2.2 no adverse effect on biota
17 minor adverse effects

Di-N-octyl phthalate
- marine

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.58 no adverse effects on biota
45 minor adverse effects

Endrin
- freshwater & marine

µg/g
0.00267 ISQG
0.0624 PEL

Heptachlor (Heptachlor epoxide)
- freshwater & marine

µg/g
0.0006 ISQG
0.00274 PEL

Hexachlorobenzene
- freshwater

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.01 no effect level based on EqP
0.02 lowest effect level based on SLC
0.24 severe effect level

Hexachlorobenzene
- marine

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.0038 no adverse effects on biota
0.023 minor adverse effects

Hexachlorobenzene
- marine

µg/g
0.23 maximum level for drege disposal based on AET

Hexachlorobutadiene
- marine

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.039 no adverse effects on biota
0.062 minor adverse effects

Hexachlorocyclohexane

see Benzene hexachloride (a conserved misleading name)
see Lindane (gamma isomer only)

—

Iron (total)
- freshwater

µg/g
21,200 (about 2%) lowest effect level based on SLC
43,766 (about 4%) severe effects level based on SLC

Lead (total)
- freshwater

µg/g
35 ISQG
91 PEL

Lead (total)
- marine

µg/g
30 ISQG
112 PEL

Lindane-gamma BHC
(Hexachlorocyclohexane)
- freshwater

µg/g
0.00094 ISQG
0.00138 PEL

Lindane-gamma BHC
(Hexachlorocyclohexane)
- marine

µg/g
0.00032 ISQG
0.00099 PEL

Mercury (total)
- freshwater

µg/g
0.170 ISQG
0.486 PEL

Mercury (total)
- marine

µg/g
0.130 ISQG
0.70 PEL

Mirex
- freshwater

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.007 lowest effect level based on SLC
1.30 severe effect level based on SLC

Nickel (total)
- freshwater

µg/g
16 lowest effect level based on SLC
75 severe effect level based on SLC

Nickel (total)
- marine

µg/g
30 effects range low based on NSTPA
50 effects range median based on NSTPA

N-Nitrosodiphenylamine
- marine

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.11 no adverse effect on biota

Nonylphenol (NP) and its ethoxylates
- freshwater

µg/g dry weight, assuming 1% total organic carbon
1.4, provisional maximum using equilibrium partitioning approach, expressed on a toxic equivalency basis using NP toxic equivalency factors. See reference.

Nonylphenol (NP) and its ethoxylates
- marine

µg/g dry weight, assuming 1% total organic carbon
1.0, provisional maximum using equilibrium partitioning approach, expressed on a toxic equivalency basis using NP toxic equivalency factors. See reference.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
- freshwater
total PCBs

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.02 no effect level, approved provincial guideline

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
- freshwater
total PCBs

µg/g
0.0341 ISQG
0.277 PEL

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
- freshwater
Arochlor 1254

µg/g
0.060 ISQG
0.340 PEL
Provisional, assuming 1% total organic carbon

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
- freshwater
Arochlor 1254

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.34 severe effect level based on SLC 90th percentile

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
- freshwater
Arochlor 1016

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.007 lowest effect level based on SLC 10th percentile
0.53 severe effect level based on SLC 90th percentile

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
- freshwater
Arochlor 1248

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.03 lowest effect level based on SLC 10th percentile
1.50 severe effect level based on SLC 90th percentile

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
- freshwater
Arochlor 1260

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.005 lowest effect level based on SLC 10th percentile
0.24 severe effect level based on SLC 90th percentile

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
- marine
total PCBs

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
0.02 no effect level, approved provincial guideline

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
- marine
total PCBs

µg/g
0.0215 ISQG
0.189 PEL

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
- marine
Arochlor 1254

µg/g
0.06333 ISQG
0.709 PEL
Provisional, assuming 1% total organic carbon

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzo furans (PCDD/Fs)
- freshwater & marine

µg/g dry weight
0.85 ISQG
21.5 PEL
Provisional maximum expressed on a toxic equivalency basis using toxic equivalent factors for fish. See reference.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) total
- freshwater

µg/g
4 effects range low based on NSTPA
35 effects range medium

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) total
- freshwater

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
100 severe effect level

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) LPAH
lower molecular weight
- freshwater

µg/g
0.1 no effects threshold based on BA

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) HPAH
higher molecular weight
- freshwater

µg/g
1.0 no effects threshold based on BA

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Acenaphthene
- freshwater

µg/g
0.00671 ISQG
0.0889 PEL

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Acenaphthylene
- freshwater

µg/g
0.00587 ISQG
0.128 PEL

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Anthracene
- freshwater

µg/g
0.0469 ISQG
0.245 PEL

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Benzo(a)anthracene
- freshwater

µg/g
0.0317 ISQG
0.385 PEL

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Benzofluoranthene
- freshwater

µg/g
0.3 no effect threshold based on BA

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Benzo(k)fluoranthene
- freshwater

µg/g
0.24 lowest effect level based on SLC

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Benzo(k)fluoranthene
- freshwater

µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon)
13.4 severe effect level based on SLC

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Benzo(g,h,i)perylene
- freshwater

µg/g
0.1 no effect threshold based on BA

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Benzo(g,h,i)perylene
- freshwater

µg/g
0.17 lowest effect level based on SLC

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Benzo(g,h,i)perylene - freshwater	µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon) 3.2 severe effect level based on SLC	39
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Benzo(a)pyrene - freshwater	µg/g 0.0319 ISQG 0.782 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Chrysene - freshwater	µg/g 0.0571 ISQG 0.862 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Dibenzo(a,h) anthracene - freshwater	µg/g 0.00622 ISQG 0.135 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Fluoranthene - freshwater	µg/g 0.111 ISQG 2.355 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Fluorene - freshwater	µg/g 0.0212 ISQG 0.144 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Indeno (1,2,3,c,d) pyrene - freshwater	µg/g 0.07 no effect threshold based on BA	32
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Indeno (1,2,3,c,d) pyrene - freshwater	µg/g 0.2 lowest effect level based on SLC	39
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Indeno (1,2,3,c,d) pyrene - freshwater	µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon) 3.2 severe effect level based on SLC	39
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) 2-methylnaphthalene - freshwater	µg/g 0.0202 ISQG 0.201 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Naphthalene - freshwater	µg/g 0.0346 ISQG 0.391 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Phenanthrene - freshwater	µg/g 0.0419 ISQG 0.515 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Pyrene - freshwater	µg/g 0.053 ISQG 0.875 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) LPAH lower molecular weight - marine	µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon) 3.7 no adverse effects on biota 7.8 minor adverse effects on biota	29
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) HPAH higher molecular weight - marine	µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon) 9.6 no adverse effects on biota 53 minor adverse effects on biota	29
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Acenaphthene - marine	µg/g 0.00671 ISQG 0.0889 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Acenaphthylene - marine	µg/g 0.00587 ISQG 0.128 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Anthracene - marine	µg/g 0.0469 ISQG 0.245 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Benzo(a)anthracene - marine	µg/g 0.0748 ISQG 0.693 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Benzofluroanthenes (all) - marine	µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon) 2.3 no adverse effect on biota 4.5 minor adverse effects on biota	29
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Benzo(g,h,i)perylene - marine	µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon) 0.31 no adverse effect on biota 0.78 minor adverse effects on biota	29
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Benzo(g,h,i)perylene - marine	µg/g 0.17 lowest effect level based on SLC	39
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Benzo(g,h,i)perylene - marine	µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon) 3.2 severe effect level based on SLC	39
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Benzo(a)pyrene - marine	µg/g 0.0888 ISQG 0.763 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Chrysene - marine	µg/g 0.108 ISQG 0.846 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Dibenzo(a,h) anthracene - marine	µg/g 0.00622 ISQG 0.135 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Fluoranthene - marine	µg/g 0.113 ISQG 1.494 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Fluorene - marine	µg/g 0.0212 ISQG 0.144 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Indeno (1,2,3,c,d) pyrene - marine	µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon) 0.34 no adverse effect on biota 0.88 minor adverse effect on biota	29
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) 2-methylnaphthalene - marine	µg/g 0.020 ISQG 0.202 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Naphthalene - marine	µg/g 0.0346 ISQG 0.391 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Phenanthrene - marine	µg/g 0.0867 ISQG 0.544 PEL	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Pyrene - marine	µg/g 0.153 ISQG 1.398 PEL	1
Selenium (total) -freshwater	µg/g 5	37 (p. 3)
Silver (total - freshwater	µg/g 0.5 Ontario sediment quality guideline	36
Silver (total) - marine	µg/g 1.0 effects range low based on NSTPA 2.2 effects range median based on NSTPA	30
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene - marine	µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon) 0.0081 no adverse effects on biota 0.018 minor adverse effects 0.064 maximum level for dredge disposal	29
Toxaphpene - freshwater & marine	µg/g, (when sediment contains 1% organic carbon) 0.0001, provisional maximum	1
Zinc (total) - freshwater	µg/g 123 ISQG 315 PEL	1
Zinc (total) - marine	µg/g 124 ISQG 271 PEL	1

1. Concentrations are expressed as µg/g or µg/g sediment containing 1% organic carbon. A guideline expressed as µg/g is based on the sediment as a whole and does not require adjustment for organic carbon content. Adjustments to guidelines are required when they are expressed in terms of the sediment containing 1% organic carbon. For sediments with organic carbon other than 1%, an adjustment in guidelines should be made by multiplying the guideline by the % organic carbon content of the sediment.

2. SLC = Screening Level Concentration

3. CoA = Co-Occurrence analyses

4. AET = Apparent Effects Threshold

5. EqP = Equilibrium Partitioning

6. NSTPA = National Status and Trends Program Approach

7. BA = Background Approach

8. PEL = Probable Effect Level

9. ISQG = Interim Sediment Quality Guideline

10. EPA = United States Environmental Protection Agency

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