We are pleased to share the poster our colleague Arno Wess presented at SETAC in 2022.
Algal toxicity testing investigates effects on biomass (yield) and the reproduction of generations of the test organisms. Therefore, acclimation and even adaptation may occur during the test period and can accordingly alter test results significantly. Consequently, and despite the precise test protocol prescriptions of the OECD Test Guidance 201, which has been updated several times, there is variability in terms of test results from different experiments. It is a generally understood fact and considered in regulation, that the effects on the growth rate, if available, should be preferred over biomass data. Additionally test ratings are proposed in the literature and used in regulatory practice in order to justify a reliability ranking of the available references. The recent OECD TG 201 states a normal test duration of 72 hours. However, shorter or longer test durations may be used provided that all validity criteria can be met.
