Environmental Residue Effects Database (ERED)

Helps Evaluate Suitability of Dredged Sediment for Disposal at Ocean Sites

Published July 8, 2016
The ERDC-EL Environmental Residue-Effects Database website (https://ered.el.erdc.dren.mil/) allows users to search BSAF data by chemical and species. ERED references may also be searched and viewed for data.

The ERDC-EL Environmental Residue-Effects Database website (https://ered.el.erdc.dren.mil/) allows users to search BSAF data by chemical and species. ERED references may also be searched and viewed for data.

The ERED is a collection of residue-effects data obtained from peer-reviewed literature and reports.  The database was developed by researchers at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Environmental Laboratory (EL) through support provided by the Dredging Operations Technical Support program.  The ERED is accessible via a public website where users can build simple queries to view and download data.

Problem

Prior to disposing of dredged sediment in ocean waters, the sediment must be evaluated to determine whether contaminants are present and whether the contaminant level could adversely impact the ecosystem at the ocean site.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has used bioaccumulation tests since the 1970s to make regulatory decisions regarding the management of dredged sediment.  Only after a sediment evaluation is completed can sediment be permitted for disposal at ocean sites.  Evaluating the environmental consequences of bioaccumulation during a sediment evaluation is challenging.  To help interpret data from these bioaccumulation tests, many researchers use published empirical data from experiments in which tissue contaminant concentrations and resulting effects have been measured in the same organism.  To meet the need for this data, ERED was developed in the 1990s to create a centralized repository of residue-effects data obtained from peer-reviewed literature and reports.

Technology

ERED is a compilation of residue-effects data, providing information about the effects of chemical stressors on aquatic and terrestrial species.  The source of ERED data is primarily the peer-reviewed literature and reports submitted by U.S. government agencies.  The database is updated annually with new records and is accessible via a public website.  The website contains dropdown boxes and data tables for parameter searching and downloading.  Data can be queried by chemical name, CAS registry number, chemical class, and species name and class.  Pertinent information on species, chemicals, general test methods, and test results are presented, including concentration of chemical, exposure route, test fraction, effect, and type of toxicity (e.g., NOEC, LD50) as well as the source reference. 

Benefit

The ERED is an organized collection of information that can easily be accessed, managed, and updated.  The data are useful for comparing measured tissue concentrations from a bioaccumulation test such as those performed to evaluate dredged sediments to published information that describes the relationship between contaminant tissue concentration and the likelihood of an adverse effect.

System Requirements

The database is accessible to anyone with a browser (such as Firefox, Google Chrome, or Windows Explorer).

Status

As of January 2016, the ERED contains more than 15,000 test records, summarizing data for over 400 aquatic and terrestrial species and 400 chemicals.  The database is updated annually with new records.

ERDC Points of Contact

Questions about the ERED?

Contact: Justin Wilkens
Email: Justin.L.Wilkens@usace.army.mil
Phone: 601-634-2421
Updated 25 August 2020


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