1. Parameterisation of Biotic Ligand Models for Nickel to Australian Test Species
Adam Peters and Graham Merrington, wca
Chris Schlekat, NiPERA
Sept 2015

2. Introduction
A bioavailability-based approach is now being implemented across the EU for nickel
Uses a chronic BLM to take account of the effect of water chemistry on nickel toxicity
Exposures are expressed as “bioavailable nickel” concentrations
Sept 2015

3. Nickel toxicity to Hydra
Sept 2015

4. Optimised BLM predictions for validation data
Sept 2015

5. Conclusions
Water chemistry in Australia differs from those tested in Europe and North America, principally due to low hardness
Limitations of EU BLMs when applied to very soft waters
Increased role of Ca and Mg competition in very soft waters confirmed with H. viridissima
Optimised BLMs provide good predictions of toxicity in very soft field collected waters
Validation process provides evidence-based support for NiBLM use in Australia
Sept 2015

6. Test presentation | Frome | 18-03-2014