ILCD Handbook: Framework and requirements for LCIA models and ...

ILCD Handbook: Framework and requirements for LCIA models and indicators First edition
CFj,i,x = Fj,i,x ·Ej,x
where CFj,i,x is the ecotoxicological characterisation factor of chemical x emitted to
compartment i and transported to environment j. Fate factors F can be calculated by means
of fate and exposure models, while effect factors E can be derived from toxicity data based
on laboratory experiments. The fate factor accounts for bioaccumulation/magnification.
The requirements must consider the extent to which the method distinguishes the
emission compartments such as urban and rural air, freshwater versus sea water, and
agricultural versus industrial soils. It must equally distinguish endpoints representing the
terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments for example.
Note that the framework specifically focuses on damage to the Natural Environment, i.e.
species diversity, and not on the damage to ecosystem services. NB: Ecosystem services
are defined as the products of ecosystem functions or processes that directly or indirectly
contribute to human well-being or have the potential to do so in the future (see e.g. Costanza
et al., 1997; Boyd and Banzhaf, 2007).
As ecosystem services are defined in terms of contribution to human well-being, this
aspect is of high interest for the Area of Protection ‗Human Health‘, but not as a starting point
to address ecotoxicological impacts on ecosystems.
4.9.2 Criteria for Evaluation of this impact category
Next to the general criteria described in Chapter 2, the main criteria ‗Environmental
relevance‘ and ‗scientific robustness‘ have been specified by the following sub criteria:
Environmental relevance: The following critical parts of the environmental mechanism
describing the cause-effect chain, are included with acceptable quality:
Advection out of a region or continent , for example, is not considered a final loss.
Influential fate processes are considered (e.g. degradation, volatilization,
deposition/sedimentation, intermittent rain).
Effect factors are available for all environmental compartments.
Marine environment and coastal zones are differentiated for aquatic ecotoxicological
effects.
The effect factors are derived from the average toxicity over all species instead of the
most sensitive species.
Direct effects on species diversity are included in the endpoint assessment.
Indirect effects on species diversity via food web changes are included in the endpoint
assessment.
Chronic toxicity data are preferable to acute data as a basis for toxicity effect factors.
EC50 22 data are preferable to LOEC/NOEC 23 data as a basis for toxicity effect factor
Scientific robustness: The model reflects the latest research for the cause-effect chain
and the following critical links are covered:
Fate
Bioavailability
22 EC50 = Concentration at which 50% of the exposed population is affected
23 L/NOEC = Low/No Observed Effect Concentration
4 Requirements for specific impact categories 69