Chapter 7
Example Assessments of the Microcosm
N-System
Kazuhito Murakami, Kunihiko Kakazu, Kakeru Ruike, and
Ken-ichi Shibata
Abstract In the example assessment, not only chemicals but also metals, radiation,
and nonindigenous microorganisms were used as test materials. Estimations of the
impacts of 106 examples of test materials (6 of surfactants, 3 of germicides, 14 of
herbicides, 12 of pesticides, 2 of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, 1 of an antibiotic,
1 of an algal toxin, 6 of organic matter and solvents, 2 of nutrients, 15 of metals, 2 of
radiation, 6 of microbial pesticides, 8 of genetically modified bacteria, 13 incorporating
biomanipulation, and 2 involving climate change) are described in this chapter. It was
made clear by the results of these tests that it is sufficient to analyze the P/R ratio with a
branching-type ANOVA in the microcosm test. However, the characteristics of the
constituent organisms were also evaluated, and the analyses are explained here.
7.1 Surfactants
The stability of aquatic environments in Japan has been improved, but many
problems still remain in need of urgent resolution. One such problem is that great
quantities of surfactants flow directly into aquatic environments with gray water,
deteriorating the aquatic ecosystem, even though there is little problem in areas with
waste management facilities because sewage is effectively treated. To assess the
environmental effects of surfactants at the ecosystem level, it is necessary to analyze
the mechanisms of community stability under the natural conditions present in
aquatic environments because natural ecosystems are extremely complex and are
K. Murakami (*)
Chiba Institute of Technology, Narashino, Chiba, Japan
e-mail: kazuhito.murakami@p.chibakoudai.jp
K. Kakazu · K. Ruike
University of Tsukuba/Foundation for Advancement of International Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki,
Japan
e-mail: kakazu@fais.or.jp; ruike@fais.or.jp
K. Shibata
Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
e-mail: shibata-kenichi-ym@ynu.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
Y. Inamori (ed.), Microcosm Manual for Environmental Impact Risk Assessment,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-6798-4_7
69
Example Assessments of the Microcosm
N-System
Kazuhito Murakami, Kunihiko Kakazu, Kakeru Ruike, and
Ken-ichi Shibata
Abstract In the example assessment, not only chemicals but also metals, radiation,
and nonindigenous microorganisms were used as test materials. Estimations of the
impacts of 106 examples of test materials (6 of surfactants, 3 of germicides, 14 of
herbicides, 12 of pesticides, 2 of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, 1 of an antibiotic,
1 of an algal toxin, 6 of organic matter and solvents, 2 of nutrients, 15 of metals, 2 of
radiation, 6 of microbial pesticides, 8 of genetically modified bacteria, 13 incorporating
biomanipulation, and 2 involving climate change) are described in this chapter. It was
made clear by the results of these tests that it is sufficient to analyze the P/R ratio with a
branching-type ANOVA in the microcosm test. However, the characteristics of the
constituent organisms were also evaluated, and the analyses are explained here.
7.1 Surfactants
The stability of aquatic environments in Japan has been improved, but many
problems still remain in need of urgent resolution. One such problem is that great
quantities of surfactants flow directly into aquatic environments with gray water,
deteriorating the aquatic ecosystem, even though there is little problem in areas with
waste management facilities because sewage is effectively treated. To assess the
environmental effects of surfactants at the ecosystem level, it is necessary to analyze
the mechanisms of community stability under the natural conditions present in
aquatic environments because natural ecosystems are extremely complex and are
K. Murakami (*)
Chiba Institute of Technology, Narashino, Chiba, Japan
e-mail: kazuhito.murakami@p.chibakoudai.jp
K. Kakazu · K. Ruike
University of Tsukuba/Foundation for Advancement of International Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki,
Japan
e-mail: kakazu@fais.or.jp; ruike@fais.or.jp
K. Shibata
Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
e-mail: shibata-kenichi-ym@ynu.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
Y. Inamori (ed.), Microcosm Manual for Environmental Impact Risk Assessment,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-6798-4_7
69