Procedure to select test organisms for environmental risk assessment of genetically modified crops in aquatic systems. (20th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hilbeck, Angelika; Bundschuh, Rebecca; Bundschuh, Mirco; Hofmann, Frieder; Oehen, Bernadette; Otto, Mathias; Schulz, Ralf; Trtikova, Miluse
• Is Part Of: Integrated environmental assessment and management. Volume 13:Number 6(2017)
• Page Start: 974
• Page End: 979
• Publication Date: 2017-09-20
• Subjects: Bt maize -- Genetically modified crops -- Nontarget organisms -- Environmental risk assessment -- Aquatic species; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Periodicals; Environmental toxicology -- Periodicals; Environmental risk assessment -- Periodicals; Environmental impact analysis -- Periodicals; 628
• DOI: 10.1002/ieam.1965
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1551-3777

Abstract

ABSTRACT: For a long time, the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of genetically modified (GM) crops focused mainly on terrestrial ecosystems. This changed when it was scientifically established that aquatic ecosystems are exposed to GM crop residues that may negatively affect aquatic species. To assist the risk assessment process, we present a tool to identify ecologically relevant species usable in tiered testing prior to authorization or for biological monitoring in the field. The tool is derived from a selection procedure for terrestrial ecosystems with substantial but necessary changes to adequately consider the differences in the type of ecosystems. By using available information from the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), the procedure can draw upon existing biological data on aquatic systems. The proposed procedure for aquatic ecosystems was tested for the first time during an expert workshop in 2013, using the cultivation of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize as the GM crop and 1 stream type as the receiving environment in the model system. During this workshop, species executing important ecological functions in aquatic environments were identified in a stepwise procedure according to predefined ecological criteria. By doing so, we demonstrated that the procedure is practicable with regard to its goal: From the initial long list of 141 potentially exposed aquatic species, 7 species and 1 genus were identified as the most suitable candidates for nontarget testing programs. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2017;13:974–979. © 2017 SETAC Key Points: A species selection procedure is described to identify potential test species that are likely exposed in the field and may be at risk to suffer from the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops. Thereby this procedure could support the environmental risk assessment of GM crops. Potential improvements for the selection procedure are discussed.