Validation of nickel bioavailability models for algae, invertebrates, and fish in Chinese surface waters.

Nickel is used primarily in the production of alloys like stainless steel and is increasingly being used in the production of batteries for the electric vehicle market. Exposure of nickel to ecosystems is of concern because nickel can be toxic to aquatic organisms. The influence of water chemistry constituents (e.g., hardness, pH, dissolved organic carbon) on the toxicity of nickel has prompted the development and use of bioavailability models, such as Biotic Ligand Models (BLM), which have been demonstrated to accurately predict nickel toxicity in broadly different ecosystems, including Europe, North America and Australia. China, a leading producer of nickel, is considering bioavailability-based approaches for regulating nickel emissions. Adoption of bioavailability-based approaches in China requires information to demonstrate the validity of bioavailability models for the local water chemistry conditions. This study investigates the toxicity of nickel to three standard test species (Daphnia magna, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, and Danio rerio) in field collected natural waters that are broadly representative of the range of water chemistries and bioavailabilities encountered in Chinese lakes and rivers. All experimental data are within a factor of three of the BLM predicted values for all tests with all species. For D. magna, six of seven waters were predicted within a factor of two of the experimental result. Comparison of experimental data against BLM predictions shows that the existing nickel bioavailability models are able to explain the differences in toxicity that result from water chemistry conditions in China. Validation of bioavailability models to water chemistries and bioavailability ranges within China provides technical support for the derivation of site-specific nickel water quality criteria in China. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;00:0-0. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.