LRI-ECO40 : Validation of an alternative, non-vertebrate, BCF test using the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca – Deadline: 31 August 2016

Background

The ultimate decisive bioaccumulation criterion as part of the REACH regulation (Annex XIII) is the bioconcentration factor (BCF) reflecting the uptake of a test substance from the contaminated surrounding medium. Bioconcentration factors (BCF) for regulatory purposes are usually determined by fish flow-through tests according to TGD OECD 305 [1]. Alternatively, biomagnification factors (BMF) can be determined in dietary exposure tests for such groups of substances where this is considered more suitable than an aqueous exposure test. Fish bioaccumulation studies are time consuming, expensive, and use many laboratory animals. In particular, care is required to ensure test concentrations of poorly water soluble, highly hydrophobic test compounds are maintained throughout the duration of the study as well as having sufficiently sensitive analytical methods for analysis of water and tissue samples. ECHA promotes alternatives for testing on animals (vertebrates) that meet their regulatory needs so methods that replace the use of fish for BCF (BMF) testing are of particular value. An alternative approach by Fraunhofer IME which aims to replace fish as test organisms in bioaccumulation studies by a non-vertebrate species, the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca has shown promise. It has been shown that experimental BCF values from bioaccumulation studies with H. azteca are similar to those obtained from fish [2]. To date, 14 compounds of different lipophilicity (log Kow range 2.2-7.8) have been tested under flow-through conditions to determine steady-state and kinetic bioconcentration factors (BCFss and BCFk). However, a more detailed understanding of comparative metabolic profiles, metabolic activity and transformation rates when employing H. azteca, compared to fish, is needed. Comparison of metabolism of fish and invertebrates has been reviewed, though not with involving H. azteca [3,4]. Preliminary studies carried out by Fraunhofer IME with H. azteca suggest CYP450 mediated bio-transformation comparable to fish. This is in accordance with the results obtained for other crustaceans e.g. Daphnia magna [5]. When performing BCF studies with H. azteca, although these organisms are much smaller than fish, collection of ten adult amphipods is sufficient to be able to quantify tissue concentrations and to determine uptake and elimination rates for H. azteca. In comparison to fish, shorter uptake and elimination periods are required using this species. It has recently been proposed that elimination rates constants generated during such studies could be also used as an alternative parameter for bioaccumulation in aquatic and terrestrial food chains [6]. Once sufficient  comparative metabolic information has been generated, in addition to elimination rate constant data (phase 1),  an inter-laboratory comparison of the BCF test protocol will be initiated (phase 2) which will provide the basis for a new OECD Test Guideline. The initiation of a new test guideline for BCF testing with H. azteca is supported by UBA, Germany.