Use of species sensitivity distributions to predict no-effect concentrations of an antifouling biocide, pyridine triphenylborane, for marine organisms

We used species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) and a Bayesian statistical model to carry out a primary risk assessment for pyridine triphenylborane (PTPB) in Hiroshima Bay, Japan. We used SSDs derived from toxicity values, such as EC50 and LC50, obtained from this study and previous work to calculate hazardous concentrations that should protect 95% and 99% of species (HC5 and HC1) and demonstrated that the medians of the HC5 and HC1 were 0.78 and 0.17 μg/L, respectively. We also used liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry to investigate the occurrence of PTPB in seawater from several coastal sites of Hiroshima Bay and detected PTPB at concentrations of 4.8-21 pg/L. Comparison of environmental concentrations to the HC values suggests that the current ecological risk posed by PTPB in Hiroshima Bay is low. This is the first report of the detection of PTPB in the natural marine environment.

► We carried out primary risk analysis of pyridine triphenylborane to marine organisms. ► We used a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) approach to estimate PNEC. ► We assessed uncertainty of the SSD using a Bayesian statistical inference. ► Pyridine triphenylborane was detected from seawater sample (max. 21 pg/L).