The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
September 8, 2019
The TCEQ’s Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) Program is has released updates for two important resources. These resources should be used, as appropriate, for Texas Risk Reduction Program (TRRP) submittals with an ecological component.
Aquatic Life Surface Water Benchmark Tables
The aquatic life surface water benchmark tables have been updated and are available on the TCEQ website. These tables can be found at any of the following links:
- https://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/eco/eco.html, under “Supporting Documentation for the TCEQ’s Ecological Benchmark Tables.” See the Excel file link associated with RG-263b.
- https://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/trrp/trrppcls.html, under the subheading “Human Health and Aquatic Life Surface Water RBELs.” See the “aquatic life surface water benchmark table” link.
- https://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/trrp/guidance.html, under the subheading “Development of Human Health PCLs (TRRP-18 to TRRP-27).” See the “Aquatic Life Benchmark Table” link associated with TRRP-24.
Changes were made to surface water values for eight chemicals of concern (COCs). Please see the “Updates” tab in the Excel workbook for more detail. The benchmark tables for surface water, soil, and sediment may be updated periodically to reflect new state or federal criteria, and/or other information (e.g., toxicological data, persistence information).
Ecological Protective Concentration Levels (PCL) Database/Calculator
The Ecological PCL Database is available at the following link: https://pcl.wtamu.edu/pcl/login.jsp (Google Chrome recommended for optimal performance). The Database has been updated to include the following:
- 6 new COCs: PFOA, PFOS, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and boron.
- 5 new species: domestic chicken, domestic cattle, domestic goat, domestic horse, and domestic sheep.
- Profile updates for barium and selenium.
- Various corrections and functionality improvements. For more detail, see the updates posted at the “About” page .
For additional information on these and related resources, please contact the Remediation Division’s Technical Program Support team at TechSup@tceq.texas.gov.
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report
9/8/2019