1. Stefano Polesello CNR-IRSA, Italy
Sharing Italian approach for the implementation of bioavailability concept in the Ni, Pb classification
Stefano Polesello
CNR-IRSA, Italy

2. Requirements from Italian legislation
DLgs 175/2015, art 78 requires that:
The national reference institutes will make available within March 22nd, 2016 a Guideline including:
practical information for the use of alternative biota taxa for chemical classification
Physico-chemical criteria for the evaluation of site-specific bioavailable concentrations of lead and nickel in internal waters

3. Classification Investigation Program of measure
Tier 1 Comparison with EQSbioavailable
Pass
Exceedance
Classification
Tier 2: use of simplified models for site specific EQS
No action or measure
Exceedance
Pass
Investigation
Tier 3: Local conditions
(comparison with background concentrations)
Pass
Exceedance
Program of measure
Tier 4: Remediation Measures

4. Directive 2013/39/EU
EQSbioavailable: under conditions of maximum bioavailability
Ni: 4 µg L-1
Pb 1.2 µg L-1
BioF = EQSbioavailable / EQSSite Specific
“Available metal” = “Dissolved metal * BioF

5. Nickel General agreement in Europe on the use of simplified BLM models
Suggestions for freely available models:
BioMetTool (
M-BAT (UKTAG) (
PNEC-Pro, DELTARES, NL, (
Are there substantial differences in the models?
Are there other free models available?
Criteria of choice?
How to harmonise this issue in EU?

6. Additional variables for monitoring and their applicability rangespH
Calcium
[mg L-1]
DOC
Nickel
2-90
1-20
Lead -
1- 20

7. Lead BioF = 1.2 /(1.2 + 1.2 x (DOC - 1)).
G. Merrington sent me a «beta» version of BioMetTool for Pb
German approach, using DOC as only variable:
Simplified equation for BioF, considering maximum availability at DOC= 1.0 mg l–1
BioF = EQSreference / EQSsite-specific
BioF = EQSreference (1.0 mg l–1 DOC)/EQSsite-specific (normalised to the site-specific mg l–1 DOC)
BioF = 1.2 /( x (DOC - 1)).
Catchment DOC monitoring data, expressed as the 25th, percentile of available data, from EQS dossier Pb (EC 2011 )

8. What we have done… Italian Guideline has been prepared
We are waiting for the comments of Environmental Ministry and Local Environmental Agencies
We are going to organise a National Meeting for the presentation of the guideline
We are planning to prepare a tutorial in Italian language to promote the use of these tools in people who do not read English