Division 8.2.5.4 Sediment dwelling organisms

When accumulation of an active substance in aquatic sediment is indicated or predicted by environmental fate studies, the impact on a sediment-dwelling organism shall be assessed. The chronic risk to Chironomus riparius or Lumbriculus spp. shall be determined. An appropriate alternative test species may be used where a recognised guideline is available. The active substance shall be applied to either the water or the sediment phase of a water/sediment system and the test shall take account of the major route of exposure. The key endpoint from the study shall be presented in terms of mg substance/kg dry sediment and mg substance/L water and the EC₁₀ and EC₂₀ shall be reported together with the NOEC.