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Bioavailability and risk assessment of metals in freshwaters: is global regulatory implementation keeping pace with scientific developments?

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Title: Bioavailability and risk assessment of metals in freshwaters: is global regulatory implementation keeping pace with scientific developments?
Authors: Merrington, Graham1 (AUTHOR) graham.merrington@wca-consulting.com, Gensemer, Robert W2 (AUTHOR), Gilron, Guy3 (AUTHOR), Wilson, Iain4 (AUTHOR), Peters, Adam5 (AUTHOR), van Dam, Rick6 (AUTHOR), Golding, Lisa A7 (AUTHOR), Stauber, Jenny8 (AUTHOR), Gadd, Jennifer9 (AUTHOR), Smith, Ross10 (AUTHOR), DeForest, David11 (AUTHOR), Garman, Emily12 (AUTHOR), Middleton, Ellizabeth12 (AUTHOR), Ryan, Adam13 (AUTHOR), Cooper, Christopher A14 (AUTHOR), Smith, Erin15 (AUTHOR), Baken, Stijn16 (AUTHOR)
Source: Integrated Environmental Assessment & Management. Jul2025, Vol. 21 Issue 4, p870-881. 12p.
Subject Terms: *Bioavailability, *Metals, *Fresh water, *Environmental risk, *Water quality, Standards, Risk assessment
Abstract: The scientific knowledge that enables the prediction of potential aquatic ecological risks due to exposure of metals based on freshwater chemistry data has been available for several decades. As a result, ecosystems can be protected using frameworks and procedures incorporated into regulatory approaches. Yet when evaluating how freshwater risks from metals are assessed globally, it is apparent that regulatory jurisdictions differ in their progress and approaches when accounting for bioavailability. It is entirely reasonable and appropriate for a lag in time between the development of the science and its incorporation into routine regulatory environmental protection. We openly acknowledge that this is not just a regulatory challenge and take a more holistic view of the implementation of the science that informs metal bioavailability. Implementation comprises the steps required to utilize science and knowledge to enable its practical, beneficial, and routine application in regulatory decision-making. Different regulatory jurisdictions have taken varied approaches to account for metal bioavailability. We have made specific use of frameworks that utilize limit values, such as water quality guidelines, criteria, and quality standards, to illustrate the similarities and differences in the implementation of bioavailability. Approaches taken in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and the United States were reviewed and evaluated. Although some of these approaches or parts thereof have been successful, other aspects have been less so. In this evaluation, we have identified key commonly encountered obstacles and challenges in these approaches to the implementation of metal bioavailability. Finally, we provide an evidence-driven "road map" to the successful regulatory implementation of metal bioavailability in risk assessment drawn from successful components of the approaches reviewed. The application of this framework will enable regulatory jurisdictions to readily keep pace with the science pertaining to metal bioavailability and avoid the challenges experienced by others. Key points Accounting for metal bioavailability in surface waters can deliver ecologically relevant risk assessment within regulatory frameworks. Tools and approaches are being widely implemented around the world to account for bioavailability and deliver relevant risk assessment. Successful implementation of these tools and approaches always involves academic, regulatory, and industry scientists working together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Integrated Environmental Assessment & Management is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Bioavailability%22">Bioavailability</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Metals%22">Metals</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fresh+water%22">Fresh water</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Environmental+risk%22">Environmental risk</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Water+quality%22">Water quality</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Standards%22">Standards</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Risk+assessment%22">Risk assessment</searchLink>
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  Data: The scientific knowledge that enables the prediction of potential aquatic ecological risks due to exposure of metals based on freshwater chemistry data has been available for several decades. As a result, ecosystems can be protected using frameworks and procedures incorporated into regulatory approaches. Yet when evaluating how freshwater risks from metals are assessed globally, it is apparent that regulatory jurisdictions differ in their progress and approaches when accounting for bioavailability. It is entirely reasonable and appropriate for a lag in time between the development of the science and its incorporation into routine regulatory environmental protection. We openly acknowledge that this is not just a regulatory challenge and take a more holistic view of the implementation of the science that informs metal bioavailability. Implementation comprises the steps required to utilize science and knowledge to enable its practical, beneficial, and routine application in regulatory decision-making. Different regulatory jurisdictions have taken varied approaches to account for metal bioavailability. We have made specific use of frameworks that utilize limit values, such as water quality guidelines, criteria, and quality standards, to illustrate the similarities and differences in the implementation of bioavailability. Approaches taken in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and the United States were reviewed and evaluated. Although some of these approaches or parts thereof have been successful, other aspects have been less so. In this evaluation, we have identified key commonly encountered obstacles and challenges in these approaches to the implementation of metal bioavailability. Finally, we provide an evidence-driven "road map" to the successful regulatory implementation of metal bioavailability in risk assessment drawn from successful components of the approaches reviewed. The application of this framework will enable regulatory jurisdictions to readily keep pace with the science pertaining to metal bioavailability and avoid the challenges experienced by others. Key points Accounting for metal bioavailability in surface waters can deliver ecologically relevant risk assessment within regulatory frameworks. Tools and approaches are being widely implemented around the world to account for bioavailability and deliver relevant risk assessment. Successful implementation of these tools and approaches always involves academic, regulatory, and industry scientists working together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Integrated Environmental Assessment & Management is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1093/inteam/vjaf033
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        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Bioavailability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Metals
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Fresh water
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      – SubjectFull: Environmental risk
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      – SubjectFull: Water quality
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      – SubjectFull: Risk assessment
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