HW 4

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American Public University *

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594

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Chemistry

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Apr 3, 2024

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Homework 4: Part 1 The Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) may sound complicated, but basically it looks at the toxicity of metals to specific organisms with an additional variable of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The program runs in a spreadsheet like format. Parts of the output are CMC and CCC values. We will use only part of the capability of the model. It is also set up for researchers trying to investigate their own toxicity limits for various organisms and various metals. We have used the data in the spreadsheet as input, and you will review the provided model output for each sample. Use this output spreadsheet to enter into the cells of the Excel worksheet you have been developing with each homework assignment in class. You will complete Column U and then calculate Hazard Quotients and put them in Column V. Next, repeat the exercise with the data in rows 24-26 to investigate the role of variations in DOC. All of the data are the same, except the DOC of sample SB1 will change to 50 and 200% of its original value (the DOC values are already entered in cells F24 and F26). You have already calculated the values for 100%. Only fill in the colored cells. You can read more on the BLM from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): https://www.epa.gov/wqs-tech/copper-biotic-ligand-model. Keep reading the instructions for Part 2 of the quiz for further guidance. While you will not run the model yourself for this assignment, you will review the model output. Question 1 (10 points) Briefly describe one field and one laboratory based approach for assessing the biological and ecological effects of toxic substances. Include advantages and limitations. Question 1 options: Question 2 (10 points) Now that you have calculated the variation of copper toxicity with DOC concentration with the Biotic Ligand Model, discuss how important DOC is to determining copper toxicity. Question 2 options: Question 3 (10 points) Briefly describe the uses of modeling in environmental toxicology. Question 3 options: Question 4 (10 points) After completing the calculations and analyzing the results, describe how the hardness-based CMCs and the Biotic Ligand Model (hardness & DOC based) CMCs (or hazard quotients) compare in terms of reaches of streams where the water-quality criteria are exceeded. In other words, which criteria delineate the most restricted area of impairment and which one delineates the most extensive? Question 4 options: Homework 4: Part 2
You can read more on the BLM from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): https://www.epa.gov/wqs-tech/copper-biotic-ligand-model. If you actually were to download the BLM and work through the calculations here is how the steps would go. Data Entry: You should see a blank spreadsheet. Enter “Ely Mine” in the Site Label Column. Enter the sample number in the Sample Label Column. Assume a temperature of 15 °C. Enter 15 in the Temp. column. Enter the rest of the data from the spreadsheet for each sample. For HA (Humic Acid) %, enter 10 as described in the user’s guide. The program does not like zeroes. Therefore, for anything with a “<”, enter a small number like 0.01. Even though the program does not use S (sulfide) data, it wants you to enter a non-zero number; enter 0.01. Do not leave any blank spaces in your input matrix. Setting Up & Running:Once you have entered your data, the spreadsheet can check to see if your input parameters fit within the ranges for which the model was calibrated. Click the “Check Mark” on the tool bar on the upper left. It will highlight anything outside of the calibrated range (but it will run anyhow). To get the output that you need for this assignment, there are a few extra steps that you would need to do: Click the "Cu" button near the top left. You will get a pop up screen. On the pop up screen, click the "Cu WQC Calculation" button. Click OK. Click the "Run" button (the guy running). You will get another pop up saying some files have been created. When you click OK there, you will get another pop up of a spreadsheet that has the output that you are actually looking for. You can cut and paste the information to a spreadsheet. The value you are looking for is the ”CMC,” which you will want to enter into your class homework spreadsheet (the one we have been working through since week one). Note: the “Acute toxicity unit” is basically a hazard quotient. Instead of actually running the model, the output spreadsheet is provided for you. Be sure you review that spreadsheet and work through Columns U and V in your spreadsheet. Question 5 (5 points) Surface-water sample SB-1 has a DOC concentration of 1.2 mg/L and you calculated the corresponding CMC above. The CMC for a DOC that is twice this concentration (2.4 mg/L) is___ug/L. Provide your answer to one decimal place (X.X).___ Your Answer: Question 5 options: Answer Question 6 (5 points) The hazard quotient for the surface-water concentration at site SB-5 relative to the acute surface-water toxicity limit (CMC) for copper at that site is___. Provide your answer to one decimal place (X.X).___
Your Answer: Question 6 options: Answer Question 7 (5 points) The hazard quotient for the surface-water concentration at site OR-2 relative to the acute surface-water toxicity limit (CMC) for copper at that site is___. Provide your answer to one decimal place (X.X).___ Your Answer: Question 7 options: Answer Question 8 (5 points) The hazard quotient for the surface-water concentration at site SB-4 relative to the acute surface-water toxicity limit (CMC) for copper at that site is___. Provide your answer to one decimal place (X.X).___ Your Answer: Question 8 options: Answer Question 9 (5 points) The hazard quotient for the surface-water concentration at site OR-1 relative to the acute surface-water toxicity limit (CMC) for copper at that site is___. Provide your answer to one decimal place (X.X).___ Your Answer: Question 9 options: Answer Question 10 (5 points) The hazard quotient for the surface-water concentration at site SB-1 relative to the acute surface-water toxicity limit (CMC) for copper at that site is___. Provide your answer to one decimal place (X.X).___ Your Answer: Question 10 options: Answer Question 11 (5 points) The hazard quotient for the surface-water concentration at site EB-3 relative to the acute surface-water toxicity limit (CMC) for copper at that site is___. Provide your answer to one decimal place (X.X).___ Your Answer: Question 11 options: Answer
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Question 12 (5 points) The hazard quotient for the surface-water concentration at site SB-2 relative to the acute surface-water toxicity limit (CMC) for copper at that site is___. Provide your answer to one decimal place (X.X).___ Your Answer: Question 12 options: Answer Question 13 (5 points) Consider how toxicity varies with DOC concentration. Surface-water sample SB-1 has a DOC concentration of 1.2 mg/L and you calculated the corresponding CMC above. The CMC for a DOC concentration of half of this concentration (0.6 mg/L) is___ug/L. Provide your answer to one decimal place (X.X).___ Your Answer: Question 13 options: Answer Question 14 (5 points) The hazard quotient for the surface-water concentration at site EB-1 relative to the acute surface-water toxicity limit (CMC) for copper at that site is___. Provide your answer to one decimal place (X.X).___ Your Answer: Question 14 options: Answer Question 15 (5 points) The hazard quotient for the surface-water concentration at site OR-3 relative to the acute surface-water toxicity limit (CMC) for copper at that site is___. Provide your answer to one decimal place (X.X).___ Your Answer: Question 15 options: Answer Question 16 (5 points) The hazard quotient for the surface-water concentration at site SB-3 relative to the acute surface-water toxicity limit (CMC) for copper at that site is___. Provide your answer to one decimal place (X.X).___ Your Answer: