The concept of microcosm testing was discussed in a study entitled “Basic
Examination for Discussion on an Outdoor Testing Approach Associated with
Usage of Recombinants in Open Systems,” which was commissioned by the Planning and Coordination Bureau, Ministry of the Environment of Japan, in the 1989
fiscal year (FY), and also in a study conducted from 1992 to 1993 entitled “Research
on the Development of a New Approach for Water Quality Assessment Using
Microbial Ecosystem Microcosm (04650505)” supported by the Grants-in-Aid for
Scientific Research on Priority Areas (General Research C). On these bases, microcosm testing was listed in the 1997 Sewage Examination Method (Japan Sewage
Works Association, Volume III: Biological Examination, Chapter 1: Biological
Examination, Section 10: Ecosystem Impact Assessment Testing), and the testing
procedures were described in the study conducted during the 2009–2011 FYs in the
project entitled “Development of an Ecosystem Risk Impact Assessment System
Using Microcosm (S2-09)” supported by the Environment Research and Technology Development Fund. Furthermore, the new Long-Range Research Initiative
(LRI) of the Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA) in the 2012–2014 FYs,
entitled “Development of an Ecosystem Risk Impact Assessment System Against
Chemical Substances Using Microcosm (2012PT4-02),” assessed a broader range of
substances and conducted correlation analyses with natural ecosystems. The JCIA
highlighted the importance of the relationship of microcosm tests with the existing
toxicity data and created a database, which sought to define optimum values for
determining safety coefficients. Moreover, during the course of testing across different facilities for the purpose of generalization, a ring test that is in line with OECD
test guidelines was established and has been subsequently enhanced and revised.
Literature Cited
Beyers RJ, Odum HT. Ecological microcosms. New York: Springer; 1993. 557pp.
Graney RL, Kennedy JH, Rodjers JH Jr. Aquatic mesocosm studies in ecological risk assessment.
Boca Raton: Lewis Publishers; 1994. 723pp.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Microcosms as potential screening tools for evaluating
transport and effects of toxic substances; Athens, Athens, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency; 1980. 370pp.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Microcosms as test systems for the ecological effects of
toxic substances; an appraisal with cadmium, Athens, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency;
1981. 171pp.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Community structure, nutrient dynamics, and the degradation of diethyl phthalate in aquatic laboratory microcosms; Athens, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency; 1982. 135pp.
10
Y. Inamori and R. Inamori
Examination for Discussion on an Outdoor Testing Approach Associated with
Usage of Recombinants in Open Systems,” which was commissioned by the Planning and Coordination Bureau, Ministry of the Environment of Japan, in the 1989
fiscal year (FY), and also in a study conducted from 1992 to 1993 entitled “Research
on the Development of a New Approach for Water Quality Assessment Using
Microbial Ecosystem Microcosm (04650505)” supported by the Grants-in-Aid for
Scientific Research on Priority Areas (General Research C). On these bases, microcosm testing was listed in the 1997 Sewage Examination Method (Japan Sewage
Works Association, Volume III: Biological Examination, Chapter 1: Biological
Examination, Section 10: Ecosystem Impact Assessment Testing), and the testing
procedures were described in the study conducted during the 2009–2011 FYs in the
project entitled “Development of an Ecosystem Risk Impact Assessment System
Using Microcosm (S2-09)” supported by the Environment Research and Technology Development Fund. Furthermore, the new Long-Range Research Initiative
(LRI) of the Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA) in the 2012–2014 FYs,
entitled “Development of an Ecosystem Risk Impact Assessment System Against
Chemical Substances Using Microcosm (2012PT4-02),” assessed a broader range of
substances and conducted correlation analyses with natural ecosystems. The JCIA
highlighted the importance of the relationship of microcosm tests with the existing
toxicity data and created a database, which sought to define optimum values for
determining safety coefficients. Moreover, during the course of testing across different facilities for the purpose of generalization, a ring test that is in line with OECD
test guidelines was established and has been subsequently enhanced and revised.
Literature Cited
Beyers RJ, Odum HT. Ecological microcosms. New York: Springer; 1993. 557pp.
Graney RL, Kennedy JH, Rodjers JH Jr. Aquatic mesocosm studies in ecological risk assessment.
Boca Raton: Lewis Publishers; 1994. 723pp.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Microcosms as potential screening tools for evaluating
transport and effects of toxic substances; Athens, Athens, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency; 1980. 370pp.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Microcosms as test systems for the ecological effects of
toxic substances; an appraisal with cadmium, Athens, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency;
1981. 171pp.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Community structure, nutrient dynamics, and the degradation of diethyl phthalate in aquatic laboratory microcosms; Athens, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency; 1982. 135pp.
10
Y. Inamori and R. Inamori