# National Recommended Water Quality Criteria - Aquatic Life Criteria Table Aquatic life criteria for toxic chemicals are the highest concentration of specific pollutants or parameters in water that are not expected to pose a significant risk to the majority of species in a given environ ment or a narrative description of the desired conditions of a water body being "free from" certain negative conditions. The table below listsEPA's recommended aquatic life criteria. State and tribal governments may use these criteria or use them as guidance in developing their own. On this page:

• National Recommended Aquatic Life Criteria Table

• Appendix A - Conversion Factors for Dissolved Metals

• Appendix B - Parameters for Calculating Freshwater Dissolved Metals Criteria That Are Hardness-Dependent 

# National Recommended Aquatic Life Criteria table Aquatic Life Criteria

Pollutant (P = Priority Pollutant) CAS (Chemical

Abstracts Service) Number Freshwater

CMC (Criteria Maximum Concentration) 1 (acute) (μg/L) Freshwater

CCC (Criterion Continuous Concentration) 2 (chronic) (μg/L) Saltwater

CMC (Criteria Maximum Concentration) 1 (acute) (μg/L) Saltwater

CCC (Criterion Continuous Concentration) 2 (chronic) (μg/L) Publication

Year Notes

Acrolein (P) 107028 3ug/L 3ug/L — — 2009 Aesthetic Qualities — — — — — 1986 See Quality Criteria for Water, 1986 ("Gold Book")for narrative statement.

Aldrin (P) 309002 3.0 — 1.3 — 1980 These criteria are based on the 1980 criteria which used different Minimum Data Requirements and derivation procedures from the 1985 Guidelines . If evaluation is to be done using an averaging period, the acute criteria values given should be divided by 2 to obtain a value that is more comparable to a CMC derived using the 1985 Guidelines.

Alkalinity — — 20000 — — 1986 The CCC of 20mg/L is a minimum value except where alkalinity is naturally lower, in which case the criterion cannot be lower than 25% of the natural level. 

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...alpha-Endosulfan(P) 959988 0.22 0.056 0.034 0.0087 1980 These criteria are based on the 1980 criteria which used different Minimum Data Requirements and derivation procedures from the 1985 Guidelines . If evaluation is to be done using an averaging period, the acute criteria values given should be divided by 2 to obtain a value that is more comparable to a CMC derived using the 1985 Guidelines. This value was derived from data for endosulfan and is most appropriately appliedto the sum of alphaendosulfan and betaendosulfan.
Aluminum pH 6.5 – 9.0 7429905 750 87 — — 1988 This value for aluminum is expressed in terms of total recoverable metal in the water column.

Ammonia 7664417 — — — — 2013 (Freshwater), 1989 (Saltwater) Freshwater criteria are

ph, temperature and life-stage dependent. Saltwater criteria are pH and temperature dependent.

Arsenic 7440382 340 150 69 36 1995 This recommended water quality criterion was derived from data for arsenic (III), but is applied here to total arsenic. Freshwater and saltwater criteria for metals are expressed in terms of the dissolved metal in the water column. See Office of Water Policy and Technical Guidance on Interpretation and Implementation of Aquatic Life Metals Criteria

. Atrazine 1912249
Bacteria — — — — — 1986 See Quality Criteria for Water, 1986 ("Gold Book")for narative statement. 

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...beta-Endosulfan (P) 33213659 0.22 0.056 0.034 0.0087 1980 These criteria are based on the 1980 criteria which used different Minimum Data Requirements and derivation procedures from the 1985 Guidelines . If evaluation is to be done using an averaging period, the acute criteria values given should be divided by 2 to obtain a value that is more comparable to a CMC derived using the 1985 Guidelines. This value was derived from data for endosulfan and is most appropriately appliedto the sum of alphaendosulfan and betaendosulfan.

Boron — — — — — 1986 See Quality Criteria for Water, 1986 ("Gold Book")for narative statement. Carbaryl 63252 2.1 2.1 1.6 — 2012

Cadmium(P) 7440439 2.0 0.25 40 8.8 2001 The freshwater criterion for this metal is expressed as a function of hardness (mg/L). The value given here corresponds to a hardness of 100 mg/L. Freshwater and saltwater criteria for metals are expressed in terms of the dissolved metal in the water column. See Office of Water Policy and Technical Guidance on Interpretation and Implementation of Aquatic Life Metals Criteria

. 

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...Chlordane (P) 57749 2.4 0.0043 0.09 0.004 1980 These criteria are based on the 1980 criteria which used different Minimum Data Requirements and derivation procedures from the 1985 Guidelines . If evaluation is to be done using an averaging period, the acute criteria values given should be divided by 2 to obtain a value that is more comparable to a CMC derived using the 1985 Guidelines. Chloride 16887006 860000 230000 — — 1986 Chlorine 7782505 19 11 13 7.5 1986 Chloropyrifos 2921882 0.083 0.041 0.011 0.0056 1986

Chromium (III)(P) 16065831 570 74 — — 1995 Freshwater and saltwater criteria for metals are expressed in terms of the dissolved metal in the water column. See Office of Water Policy and Technical Guidance on Interpretation and Implementation of Aquatic Life Metals Criteria

. The freshwater criterion for this metal is expressed as a function of hardness (mg/L). The value given here corresponds to a hardness of 100 mg/L.

Chromium (VI)(P) 18540299 16 11 1,100 50 1995 Freshwater and saltwater criteria for metals are expressed in terms of the dissolved metal in the water column. See Office of Water Policy and Technical Guidance on Interpretation and Implementation of Aquatic Life Metals Criteria

. Color — — — — — 1986 See Quality Criteria for Water, 1986 ("Gold Book")for narative statement. 

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...Copper (P) 7440508 — — 4.8 3.1 2007 Freshwater criteria calculated using the Biotic Ligand Model. Freshwater and saltwater criteria for metals are expressed in terms of the dissolved metal in the water column. See Office of Water Policy and Technical Guidance on Interpretation and Implementation of Aquatic Life Metals Criteria

. Cyanide(P) 57125 22 5.2 1 1 1985 These recommended water quality criteria are expressed as ug free cyanide (CN/L). Demeton 8065483 — 0.1 — 0.1 1985 Diazinon 333415 0.17ug/L 0.17ug/L 0.82ug/L 0.82ug/L 2005

Dieldrin (P) 60571 0.24 0.056 0.71 0.0019 1995 The freshwater CCC criterion and both Saltwater criteria are based are based on the 1980 criteria

which used different Minimum Data Requirements and derivation procedures from the 1985 Guidelines . If evaluation is to be done using an averaging period, the acute criteria values given should be divided by 2 to obtain a value that is more comparable to a CMC derived using the 1985 Guidelines.

Endrin(P) 72208 0.086 0.036 0.037 0.0023 1995 The derivation of the CCC for this pollutant did not consider exposure through the diet, which is probably important for aquatic life occupying upper trophic levels. 

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...gamma-BHC

(Lindane) (P) 58899 0.95 — 0.16 — 1995 The Saltwater CCC criterion is based on the 1980 criteria

which used different Minimum Data Requirements and derivation procedures from the 1985 Guidelines . If evaluation is to be done using an averaging period, the acute criteria values given should be divided by 2 to obtain a value that is more comparable to a CMC derived using the 1985 Guidelines. Gases, Total Dissolved — — — — — 1986 See Quality Criteria for Water, 1986 ("Gold Book")for narative statement.

Guthion 86500 — 0.01 — 0.01 1986 The CCC of 20mg/L is a minimum value except where alkalinity is naturally lower, in which case the criterion cannot be lower than 25% of the natural level.
Hardness — — — — — 1986 See Quality Criteria for Water, 1986 ("Gold Book")for narative statement.

Heptachlor

(P) 76448 0.52 0.0038 0.053 0.0036 1980 These criteria are based on the 1980 criteria which used different Minimum Data Requirements and derivation procedures from the 1985 Guidelines . If evaluation is to be done using an averaging period, the acute criteria values given should be divided by 2 to obtain a value that is more comparable to a CMC derived using the 1985 Guidelines. 

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...Heptachlor

Epoxide(P) 1024573 0.52 0.0038 0.053 0.0036 1981 These criteria are based on the 1980 criteria which used different Minimum Data Requirements and derivation procedures from the 1985 Guidelines . If evaluation is to be done using an averaging period, the acute criteria values given should be divided by 2 to obtain a value that is more comparable to a CMC derived using the 1985 Guidelines. This value was derived from data for heptachlor andthere was insufficient data to determine relative toxicities of heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide.

Iron 7439896 — 1000 — — 1986 The CCC of 20mg/L is a minimum value except where alkalinity is naturally lower, in which case the criterion cannot be lower than 25% of the natural level.

Lead(P) 7439921 65 2.5 210 8.1 1980 Freshwater and saltwater criteria for metals are expressed in terms of the dissolved metal in the water column. See Office of Water Policy and Technical Guidance on Interpretation and Implementation of Aquatic Life Metals Criteria

. The freshwater criterion for this metal is expressed as a function of hardness (mg/L). The value given here corresponds to a hardness of 100 mg/L.

Malathion 121755 — 0.1 — 0.1 1986 The CCC of 20mg/L is a minimum value except where alkalinity is naturally lower, in which case the criterion cannot be lower than 25% of the natural level. 

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...Mercury

Methylmercury(P) 7439976

22967926 1.4 0.77 1.8 0.94 1995 Freshwater and saltwater criteria for metals are expressed in terms of the dissolved metal in the water column. See Office of Water Policy and Technical Guidance on Interpretation and Implementation of Aquatic Life Metals Criteria

.

Methoxychlor 72435 — 0.03 — 0.03 1986 The CCC of 20mg/L is a minimum value except where alkalinity is naturally lower, in which case the criterion cannot be lower than 25% of the natural level. Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE)

Mirex 2385855 — 0.001 — 0.001 1986 The CCC of 20mg/L is a minimum value except where alkalinity is naturally lower, in which case the criterion cannot be lower than 25% of the natural level.

Nickel(P) 7440020 470 52 74 8.2 1995 Freshwater and saltwater criteria for metals are expressed in terms of the dissolved metal in the water column. See Office of Water Policy and Technical Guidance on Interpretation and Implementation of Aquatic Life Metals Criteria

. The freshwater criterion for this metal is expressed as a function of hardness (mg/L). The value given here corresponds to a hardness of 100 mg/L. Nonylphenol 84852153 28 ug/L 6.6 ug/L 7 ug/L 1.7 ug/L 2005

Nutrients

— — — — — — See EPA's Ecoregional criteria for Total Phosphorus, Total Nitrogen, Chlorophyll aand Water Clarity (Secchi depth for lakes; turbidity for streams and rivers) (& Level III Ecoregional criteria) 

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...Oil and Grease — — — — — 1986 See Quality Criteria for Water, 1986 ("Gold Book")for narative statement.

Oxygen, Dissolved Freshwater Oxygen, Dissolved Saltwater 7782447 — — — — 1986 See Quality Criteria for Water, 1986 ("Gold Book")for freshwater. For saltwater, see Aquatic Life Criteria for Dissolved Oxygen (Saltwater) Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras

. Parathion 56382 0.065 0.013 — — 1995

Pentachlorophenol(P)87865 19 15 13 7.9 1995 Freshwater aquatic life values for pentachlorophenol are expressed as a function of pH and values displayed in table correspond to a pH of 7.8.

pH — — 6.5 – 9 — 6.5 – 8.5 1986 The CCC of 20mg/L is a minimum value except where alkalinity is naturally lower, in which case the criterion cannot be lower than 25% of the natural level. For open ocean waters where the depth is substantially greater than the euphotic zone, the pH should not be changed more than 0.2 units from the naturally occurring variation or any case outside the range of 6.5 to 8.5. For shallow, highly productive coastal and estuarine areas where naturally occurring pH variations approach the lethal limits of some species, changes in pH should be avoided but in any case should not exceed the limits established for fresh water, i.e., 6.5-9.0. Phosphorus Elemental 7723140 — — — — 1986
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) (P) — — 0.014 — 0.03 — This criterion applies to total PCBs, (e.g., the sum of all congener or all isomer or homolog or Aroclor analyses.) 

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...Selenium(P) 7782492 — 5.0 290 71 1999 The CMC = 1/ [(f1/CMC1) + (f2/CMC2)] where f1 and f2 are the fractions of total selenium that are treated as selenite and selenate, respectively, and CMC1 and CMC2 are 185.9 ug/l and 12.82 ug/l, respectively. However, based on findings from a February 2009 SETAC Pellston Workshop on Ecological Assessment of Selenium in the Aquatic Environment , diet is the primary pathway of selenium exposure to aquatic life, and traditional methods for predicting toxicity on the basis of exposure to dissolved concentrations are not appropriate for selenium. Silver (P) 7440224 3.2 — 1.9 — 1980 Solids Suspended and Turbidity — — — — — 1986 See Quality Criteria for Water, 1986 ("Gold Book")for narative statement. Sulfide-Hydrogen Sulfide 7783064 — 2.0 — 2.0 1986 Tainting Substances — — — — — 1986 See Quality Criteria for Water, 1986 ("Gold Book")for narative statement. Temperature — — — — — 1986 Criteria is species dependant. See Quality Criteria for Water, 1986 ("Gold Book")

. Toxaphene(P) 8001352 0.73 0.0002 0.21 0.0002 1986 Tributyltin (TBT) — 0.46 0.072 0.42 0.0074 2004 Zinc(P) 7440666 120 120 90 81 1995 4,4'-DDT(P) 50293 1.1 0.001 0.13 0.001 1980 

# Appendix A Conversion Factors for Dissolved Metals Metal Freshwater CMC Freshwater CCC Saltwater CMCSaltwater CCC Arsenic 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 Cadmium 1.136672-[(ln hardness)(0.041838)]1.101672-[(ln hardness)(0.041838)]0.994 0.994 Chromium III 0.316 0.860 — — Chromium VI0.982 0.962 0.993 0.993 Copper 0.960 0.960 0.83 0.83 Lead 1.46203-[(ln hardness)(0.145712)] 1.46203-[(ln hardness)(0.145712)] 0.951 0.951 Mercury 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 Nickel 0.998 0.997 0.990 0.990 Selenium — — 0.998 0.998 Silver 0.85 — 0.85 — Zinc 0.978 0.986 0.946 0.946 

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# Appendix B Parameters for Calculating Freshwater Dissolved Metals Criteria Tha t Are Hardness-Dependent Chemical mA bA mC bC Freshwater Conversion Factors (CF) CMC CCC Cadmium 1.0166-3.924 0.7409-4.719 1.136672-[( lnhardness)(0.041838)]1.101672-[( lnhardness)(0.041838)] Chromium III0.81903.72560.81900.68480.316 0.860 Copper 0.9422-1.700 0.8545-1.702 0.960 0.960 Lead 1.273 -1.460 1.273 -4.705 1.46203-[( ln hardness)(0.145712)] 1.46203-[( ln hardness)(0.145712)] Nickel 0.84602.255 0.84600.05840.998 0.997 Silver 1.72 -6.59 — — 0.85 — Zinc 0.84730.884 0.84730.884 0.978 0.986 Hardness-dependant metals' criteria may be calculated from the f ollowing: CMC (dissolved) = exp{mA [ln (hardness)]+ bA} (CF) CCC (dissolved) = exp{mC [ ln (hardness)]+ bC} (CF)
1/ CMC: Criterion Maximum Concentration 2/ CCC: Criterion Continuous Concentration 

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