Field assessment for endocrine disruption in invertebrates

The scope of this chapter covers approaches for evaluating potential effects of EDCs in both aquatic (marine and freshwater) and terrestrial invertebrates. It addresses what we currently know or suspect about effects in the real world (particularly those at the individual and population levels), and the techniques required for their study. The objectives of the Field Assessment Work Group were to:- 1) Evaluate data on effects of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in invertebrates under laboratory and field conditions 2) Assess the usefulness of current approaches to environmental monitoring which can be used to determine exposure to and effects of EDCs 3) consider the background variability in invertebrate populations, life histories and environmental conditions, so that it is possible to discriminate effects of EDCs above this baseline 4) Develop an approach to the detection of effects, assignment of causality, sources and sinks of potential EDCs, and the biological and chemical tools which will need to be developed or exploited for this purpose 5) Recommend suitable biomarkers and endpoints of exposure and effects for endocrine disrupting compounds in invertebrates 6) Determine possible triggers or thresholds for field monitoring strategies and identification of causality of effects seen in the field 7) Develop a framework for monitoring in terms of what background, exposure and effects information is required and how it should be collected. 8) Build on the recommendations of the EMWAT Workshop concerning appropriate environmental monitoring strategies for EDCs.