1.1 This guide covers an approach to identification, selection and use of ecological endpoints (both assessment and measurement endpoints) (1-8) that are susceptible to the direct and indirect effects of both chemical and nonchemical stressors or agents associated with wastes and contaminated media at specific sites under current and future land uses. It does not address assessment and measurement endpoints for non-site specific studies (for example, chemical-specific or regional risk assessments) or measurements in abiotic media (soil, water, or air).

1.2 This guide addresses only the identification, selection and use of assessment and measurement endpoints, not the full range of activities that occur in an ecological assessment or ecological risk assessment at a contaminated site (1,3-8). These activities are addressed in other ASTM guides and references provided at the end of this guide.

1.3 This guide is intended to identify assessment and measurement endpoints to be used for screening, preliminary, focused, detailed and quanitative ecological risk assessments conducted in a linear or iterative fashion (3,8). This is a partial, not complete listing of possible levels of assessment. In a tiered ecological risk assessment, it may be necessary to redefine ecological endpoints when planning to collect more data or when additional site data are obtained and evaluated.

1.4 This guide is intended to be used by trained biologists, ecologists and ecotoxicologists familiar with risk assessment, ecological and ecotoxicological concepts.

1.5 This guide (including Appendix X1) consists of a series of options or instructions and does not recommend a specific course of action or provide detailed guidelines to be followed at all sites. See 2.2.2 of Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.