ETOX: Informationssystem Ökotoxikologie und Umweltqualitätsziele - Ein Werkzeug zur Entwicklung von Umweltqualitätsanforderungen

Abstract

Abstract The information system ETOX http://webetox.uba.de/webETOX is used as a tool in the process developing science based reference values (quality criteria) for the protection of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems as well as an instrument for the assessment of substances. ETOX enables effective documentation of evaluated effects data and environmental quality requirements for the media water, soil, sediment and biota. A quick retrieval of this information provides a basis for the assessment of measured data within the scope of environmental monitoring and the further development of quality criteria. The documentation of quality requirements for these media is a fundmental basis for the development of environmental quality criteria across media and objects of protection, which establish a basis for the determination (definition) of mandatory environmental quality standards. ETOX is mainly used in the Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt UBA) for the development of environmental quality standards for the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive 60/2000/EC. The exchange of information about effect data and proposals for environmental quality criteria on a European level is important for this process. ETOX offers project orientated data input and is open for a participation of other institutions. ETOX can be used as a site for the exchange of information about effect data and quality requirements on national and international levels. Further, a data exchange with the GSBL http://www.gsbl.de exists via an interface formate.