THE TOXICITY-BASED CONSENT AND THE WIDER APPLICATION OF DIRECT TOXICITY ASSESSMENT TO PROTECT AQUATIC LIFE

This paper describes the value of, and progress towards, introducing d irect toxicity assessment procedures for use in water quality manageme nt within the UK. The capabilities and limitations of direct toxicity assessment are compared with those of the conventional substance-speci fic control and bioassessment measures. Progress towards the introduct ion of toxicity-based consents, following an agreed strategy and stand ardized procedures, is reported together with the wider application of direct toxicity assessment to monitor the receiving environment. Fina lly, the selection of suitable ecotoxicological methods and their furt her development for direct toxicity assessment, are presented.