E C O T O X 

ECOTOXicology Database System 

TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

Prepared for 

 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Office of Research and Development 

National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory 

Mid-Continent Ecology Division (MED) 

Duluth, Minnesota 

 

By 

Computer Sciences Corporation 

Duluth, Minnesota 55802 

June 2009
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 i 

C. TERRETOX CODING GUIDELINES ......................................................................... 1 

Method for Prioritizing Studies for Inclusion in the ECOTOX Database .......................... 2 

1. Quality Assurance Parameters ............................................................................ 2 

Reference Number (#), Author, Year ........................................................... 2 

Total Tests ................................................................................................... 2 

Reviewer/Review Date................................................................................. 3 

QA Date/Name............................................................................................. 3 

Test Number (TID)...................................................................................... 3 

2. Test Chemical Parameters .................................................................................. 4 

Test/CAS Number/Chemical Name/ ............................................................ 6 

Chemical Grade........................................................................................... 8 

Chemical Purity............................................................................................ 8 

Chemical Formulation .................................................................................. 8 

Chemical Comment ..................................................................................... 8 

Radiolabel.................................................................................................... 8 

Chemical Abstracts Services Registry Number (CAS NUMBER) ................ 8 

3. Test Information................................................................................................... 9 

A. Test Organism Information Parameters ......................................................... 9 

Species Number/ Scientific/Common Name ................................................ 9 

Organism Source....................................................................................... 10 

Organism Lifestage/Age ............................................................................ 10 

Initial Weight (WTINT)................................................................................ 10 

Organism Comment (Org Characteristics)................................................. 10 

B. Exposure Information Parameters ............................................................... 11 

Test Location ............................................................................................. 11 

Exposure Type........................................................................................... 12 

Test Method (TMETH) ............................................................................... 12 

Study Type (STYPE).................................................................................. 12 

Control Type .............................................................................................. 13 

Number of Doses ....................................................................................... 13 

Concentrations Tested (DOSES)............................................................... 13 

Application Frequency................................................................................ 14 

Exposure and Study Durations .................................................................. 14 

Exposure Duration ..................................................................................... 14 

Study Duration ........................................................................................... 15 

Habitat Comment (HABITAT CODE)[Field parameter only]....................... 15 

Geographic Location (LOCATION)[Field parameter only].......................... 15 

Geographic Code (ST/PR/COUNTRY)[Field parameter only].................... 15 

Latitude/Longitude (LAT/LONG) [Field parameter only]............................. 16 

Application Season (AP SEAS)[Field parameter only] ............................... 16 

Application Date (AP DATE)[Field parameter only].................................... 16 

Application Rate (AP RATE) ...................................................................... 16 

Media Type ................................................................................................ 16 

C. Media Information Parameters..................................................................... 17 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 ii 

Soil Type.................................................................................................... 17 

Soil Texture (Sand, Silt and Clay).............................................................. 17 

Media pH.................................................................................................... 17 

Temperature (Temp).................................................................................. 17 

Media Organic Matter Type and Units ....................................................... 17 

Media Moisture .......................................................................................... 18 

Media Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) ................................................... 18 

Soil Concentration (CONC) Measured / Dry-Wet Weight........................... 18 

Soil Concentration (CONC) Basis of Measurement: Dry/Wet Weight ........ 18 

Media Comment......................................................................................... 18 

4. Exposure Information......................................................................................... 19 

Dose ID and Dose Number (No.)............................................................... 19 

Sample Number (N)................................................................................... 20 

Gender (Sex) ............................................................................................. 20 

Dose .......................................................................................................... 20 

Dose Statistical Method (SM)..................................................................... 21 

Dose Value ................................................................................................ 21 

Dose Unit ................................................................................................... 21 

Concentration Type (CONC TYPE) ........................................................... 21 

Concentration Types and Definitions ......................................................... 21 

Ionic Fraction ............................................................................................. 22 

Chemical Analysis Method (M/U)............................................................... 22 

Remark Number/Remarks (RN)................................................................. 23 

General Comment...................................................................................... 23 

5. Results Information............................................................................................ 23 

Dose ID & Dose No.................................................................................... 29 

Sample Number (SMP#) and / Units.......................................................... 29 

Observation Time Duration (OBSRV DUR)................................................ 29 

Effect.......................................................................................................... 31 

Effect Measurement (MEASMENT) ........................................................... 32 

Endpoint (ENDPT) ..................................................................................... 32 

Companion Endpoint(s) (COMPEP) .......................................................... 33 

Result Set (R) ............................................................................................ 34 

Significance (STAT)................................................................................... 34 

Level .......................................................................................................... 35 

Paper/Reviewer Assigned Data (P or R).................................................... 36 

Trend (TREND).......................................................................................... 38 

Effect % (EFCT %)..................................................................................... 39 

Combining Effect Percent .......................................................................... 39 

Response Site (SITE) ................................................................................ 39 

Observed Response Value/Unit:................................................................ 40 

Weight at time of result (WTAT)................................................................. 40 

Intake Rate (INTAKE) ................................................................................ 41 

Steady State (STST).................................................................................. 41 

Dry or Wet Weight (DW%)......................................................................... 41 

Percent Lipid (%LPD) ................................................................................ 41 

Rating (RANK) ........................................................................................... 41 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 iii 

Remark Number/Remarks (RN/REMARKS) .............................................. 42 

General Coding Information ............................................................................. 42 

TERRETOX References.................................................................................. 44 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 1 

C. TERRETOX CODING GUIDELINES 

The TERRETOX Coding Guidelines presented below follow the format of the TERRETOX coding 

sheets located in Section 6. Supporting Materials . The TERRETOX Coding Sheet is divided into four 

sections: Quality Assurance Parameters, Test Information, Exposure Information, and Results 

Information. The field name associated with each test parameter, as presented on the TERRETOX 

Coding Sheet, is a topic heading. Below each heading is a detailed description of how to code data 

related to the specific test parameters. With few exceptions, reviewers should code the information as 

presented by the authors. Decisions regarding which information to code and how to represent the 

information in the database are based on the terrestrial plant and wildlife toxicity testing methods 

presented in ASTM and US EPA publications, as well as the scientific literature and toxicology 

textbooks. Test method publications used for the Terrestrial Plant and Wildlife Toxicity Effects 

(TERRETOX) database are listed in Section 6. Supporting Materials. Questions related to this 

document should be directed to the EPA Database Coordinator and the Lead Reviewer on the ADP 

Support Contract. 

Note: Inclusion of publications into the TERRETOX database is determined by the test media used. If a terrestrial 

organism is exposed in an aqueous media, the paper will be placed into the AQUIRE database. Terrestrial nematodes are 

an example of an organism that may be coded either in TERRETOX or AQUIRE. If the test is conducted in soil media, then 

the data are coded in TERRETOX; if the nematode is isolated from soils and exposed using aquatic test methods, then the 

data are coded in AQUIRE. The exception to this rule is for hydroponic studies. Hydroponics is a terrestrial test method 

and is coded as such.

Note: Each publication included into the TERRETOX database must meet the five minimal criteria for acceptance (i.e. 

chemical, species, concentration, duration and effect). If the paper is missing one or more of these criteria ECOTOX does 

not search other sources to obtain the missing data piece(s). Sources such as author communications and referencing 

another work to obtain one of the five criteria is allowed for specific risk assessment/criteria projects (e.g. EcoSSL or CAD) 

and must be specified by the EPA Database Coordinator. 

Note: Only quantitative data are encoded into TERRETOX dose response encoding. If data are represented qualitatively 

(i.e., no numeric response values), the qualitative effects would be encoded as a single record by ranging all durations and 

concentrations. 

Note: Lead shot papers are not encoded into TERRETOX. Authors often report the number of pellets fed to the animals, 

but not the actual dose of lead or concentration of lead/pellet. There are also instances in which the lead pellet is actually

a mixture of two metals (i.e. Lead and tin). 

Note: If a paper reports that the organisms used for measurements were dead and it is unknown how long the organisms 

have been dead this data is not encoded, but enter Adead organisms@ in Other Effects. An author may measure the growth 

or weight of a dead organism. The weights of dead animals can be biased, especially for juveniles, depending on the time 

between death and measurement. Also, temperature may effect the measurement after death (e.g. higher brooder 

temperatures may cause rapid desiccation which would result in weight changes). 

Note: Studies involving carbon dioxide (CO2) or ozone (03) as the toxicant are not coded into the TERRETOX database. 

Note: If the author provides data from another publication, the reviewer should search the ECOTOX reference database 

(Reference Manager - ECOREF, INPROCESS, OUTPROCESS) to determine if this reference has been previously 

identified as applicable to ECOTOX. If the paper has not been identified, the reviewer should have the paper ordered by 

the literature acquisition staff. If the cited data is from a publication which is within the ECOREF file, the ECOREF number 

should be noted on the original paper. Data should only be coded from the original publication to avoid duplicate data 

within the database. 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 2 

Method for Prioritizing Studies for Inclusion in the ECOTOX Database 

$ For published Criteria Documents (Final and Draft Final), all data that appear in the tables will 

be encoded into the ECOTOX database, without exception. 

$ For the TRV project, all papers identified appropriate for use in deriving the TRV (Scores >65), 

and having MOR, REP, or GRO data will be coded into ECOTOX, without exception. 

$ Data maintenance reported by users or EPA, will be addressed in a timely manner, without 

exception. 

$ For criteria chemicals, where the Office of Water has only published the reference list, for all 

OPP-ESA papers, and for all general ECOTOX coding, the following papers will be prioritized 

for coding: 

$ Study must be published as either a journal article, thesis or numbered government 

report. Conference Proceedings, extended abstracts, and unpublished materials will be 

marked as such and removed from the coding queue. 

$ Studies must be published in English. Non-English publications will be marked as such 

and removed from the coding queue. 

$ Papers must report the use of a valid control. Studies that do not discuss the use of 

controls, or where the authors specifically state that a control was not used (ECOTOX 

codes NR and Z) will be marked as lacking a control (ANo control@ is placed in the 

Notes field (field 6) in Reference Manager) and will be removed from the coding queue. 

$ The authors must report either a calculated endpoint, as defined by the ECOTOX 

coding guidelines, or presents statistically analyzed results. Papers presenting only 

qualitative data will be marked as such (ANo endpoint, No stats@ is placed in the Notes 

field (field 6) in Reference Manager) and removed from the coding queue. 

$ Endpoint and/or statistical results must be summarized in either the text or tables. If 

results are only presented graphically or in figures, and specific concentrations (not 

ranged or approximate values) associated with the endpoint/statistical results are not 

presented, the paper is marked as having only graphed/figure data (AGraphed data 

only@ is placed in the Notes field (field 6) in Reference Manager) , and removed from the 

coding queue. 

1. Quality Assurance Parameters 

Reference Number (#), Author, Year

Reference number is the unique number that identifies a particular publication. This number, 

automatically assigned by the data entry program, provides the link between data entered and the 

original publication. On the coding sheet, enter the reference number located in the upper right-hand 

corner of the hard copy of the publication, the last name of the first author, and the publication year in 

the data field REFERENCE #, AUTHOR, YEAR. 

Total Tests 

Total tests encoded for a publication are recorded by the reviewer in the TOTAL TESTS data field. 

The total test number equals the total number of results records coded in the RESULTS 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 3 

INFORMATION section of the coding sheet for each publication. Total tests are counted after the 

data abstraction process has been completed. 

Reviewer/Review Date

The person conducting the data abstraction enters his/her last name in the REVIEWER data field. 

The date on which the publication was reviewed is entered in the REVIEW DATE field using the 

format of month/day/year. 

QA Date/Name

Following data coding and prior to data entry, an ECOTOX staff member conducts a screening check 

of each coding sheet to ensure completeness and accuracy of data transcription. The person 

conducting this quality assurance screening check enters the date of the QA check in the QA DATE 

field, using the format of month/day/year, and their initials in the NAME data field. 

Test Number (TID)

Each unique test is coded on a separate data sheet and assigned a unique test number (TID) by the 

reviewer. A unique test design may be characterized by a new test chemical, test species, test 

location, or exposure type. Additionally, there are experimental design (EDES) parameters that will 

influence a test scenario sufficiently to warrant an independent Test TID. Such parameters include 

tests conducted at different test temperatures or conducted during different seasons. Some examples 

are found in Tables 1 & 2. 

Table 1: A study is conducted with 2 different chemicals and the exposure for 2 species is started at 3 different lifestages. 

The Test IDs would be: 

TEST ID Unique Test Design

1 Benzene, Worm, Cocoon

2 Benzene, Worm, Juvenile

3 Benzene, Worm, Adult

4 Benzene, Bird, Egg

5 Benzene, Bird, Juvenile

6 Benzene, Bird, Adult

7 Toluene, Worm, Cocoon

8 Toluene, Worm, Juvenile

9 Toluene, Worm, Adult

10 Toluene, Bird, Egg

11 Toluene, Bird, Juvenile

12 Toluene, Bird, Adult

Table 2: A study is conducted with 1 chemical and the exposure for 1 species is conducted at 3 different temperatures. 

The Test IDs would be: 

TEST ID Unique Test Design Exposure Info Remark

1 Benzene, Worm, 15C EDES/Conducted at 15C// 

2 Benzene, Worm, 20C EDES/Conducted at 20C// 

3 Benzene, Worm, 25C EDES/Conducted at 25C//
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 4 

If appropriate, include information about the Experimental Design parameters in the REMARKS data 

field for Species Information, Exposure Information or Soil Information as well as in the REMARKS 

data field for each independent Observed Response value reported. 

2. Test Chemical Parameters 

ECOTOX is catalogued by the toxicant tested using the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry 

number. If a CAS registry number is not available through standard sources the toxicity data cannot 

be included in ECOTOX. Additional toxicants not included in ECOTOX are water/soil chemistry 

effects (e.g., pH), complex effluents, and chemical mixtures. 

Chemical mixtures may be interpreted broadly. For example, a pesticide formulation is a mixture of 

two active ingredients, each ingredient may have a separate CAS number. If the formulation has a 

single unique CAS number, the chemical reported for AQUIRE is the formulation. If two different 

active ingredients are mixed together in a tank then applied as a toxicant, the data is not coded as 

this is a mixture. 

If the exposure is based on two metal compounds but the effect is based on one ion, e.g., copper 

sulfate and copper chloride and Cu is the toxicant, code copper as the test chemical and report the 

two compounds in chemical CHARACTERISTICS. 

If herbicides/fungicides are applied as standard weed/fungus control to both control and treatment 

groups prior to the application of the toxicant, the toxicant effects are coded and the application of the 

herbicide/fungicide is noted in the Experimental Design data field. If the chemicals are applied at the 

same time, this IS considered a mixture. 

Formulated or technical grade chemicals that report other chemicals as impurities are not considered 

mixtures. 

Species exposed to more than one chemical during an exposure period are not necessarily 

considered mixtures. In some cases, the first chemical applied is used to treat a deficiency, disease, 

parasite, etc. to ensure more healthy test organisms or may be used to induce a biological response 

prior to a chemical exposure. When such a treatment is described by the authors, encode the 

beneficial or inducing treatment as an experimental design comment and encode the toxic effects of 

the other chemical(s) for ECOTOX. 

For example, the authors state that AGrasses in all experimental sites were treated in the seedling 

stage of growth with bromoxynil for the control of broad-leafed weeds. No other herbicides were 

applied before the treatments with dicamba or propham@. Encode AEDES/Pretreated with bromoxynil 

in seedling stage for control of broad-leafed weeds//@ in the Exposure Information comment area. 

Encode the dicamba and propham toxicity data for ECOTOX. 

A similar example for lifestage studies occurs when the parental generation is exposed to one 

chemical prior to the gestational or post-gestational exposure of another chemical to the offspring 

produced, the parental data is coded until the second chemical exposure and the offspring data is 

coded only for the second chemical exposure. For the offspring records, it is noted in Experimental 

Design that the parents were exposed to a chemical prior to the gestational or post-gestational 

exposure. 

Another differentiation of a mixture is drawn when nutrients are added to an experimental set up. If 

the author states that a nutrient is added at a level that is needed for growth, ECOTOX does not 

consider this as a mixture. If, however, the author adds a series of nutrients and toxicants to test 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 5 

interactive effects, ECOTOX considers this a mixture. The following example illustrates how nutrients 

and toxicants are coded. 

A. Effect of copper on plant growth B. Effect of copper and nutrient on plant growth

 Nutrient 

Copper 

20 ug/l 40 ug/l Nutrient 

Copper 

0 ug/l 10 ug/l 20 ug/l 30 ug/l 40 ug/l 

0 ug/l 100% 120% 0 ug/l 100% 100% 100% 110% 120% 

10 ug/l 100% 90% 10 ug/l 100% 100% 100% 100% 90% 

20 ug/l 80% 80% 20 ug/l 95% 90% 80% 85% 80% 

30 ug/l 60% 50% 30 ug/l 60% 60% 60% 65% 50% 

40 ug/l 30% 20% 40 ug/l 20% 15% 30% 35% 30% 

A. Author states that nutrients are added for growth. All results coded. Each nutrient level is coded as 

a separate test and the nutrient level is noted in an experimental design set-up (EDES) comment. 

B. Author does not state that nutrient is added for growth. Two tests are coded, one for the nutrient 

tested alone and a second result for the copper tested alone. The shaded area is not coded. Mixture 

is noted in general remarks. 

If the author does not document the basal level value, a determination may be possible for deficient, 

basal and toxic dose levels. The suggested guideline for making this determination would be 

interpreting dose response results for mortality, growth and reproduction to determine the deficient, 

basal (or basal range) and toxic levels. This could be accomplished by interpreting the trends for 

these effects. The deficient results would be excluded and basal level are coded as the control. If 

multiple basal values are reported, the most optimal dose for mortality, growth, reproduction would be 

considered the control value. 

If the toxicant added does not produce a toxicity test result (i.e., only deficient and/or basal levels), 

then the paper would be rejected as nutrient study. 

For in situ exposures where the exposure is by default an exposure to a chemical mixture; code 

residue measurements or endpoints (BCF) only. No other effects or endpoints are strictly attributable 

to a single chemical in the same way as a residue concentration. Data for chemicals in the mixture 

with reported media concentrations and residue effects should be coded. 

If the author reports that a precipitate was formed during the addition of the chemical or during the 

exposure period, code Aprecipitate formed@ the EXP DESIGN field. 

A standardized identification number and name for each chemical is recorded in the database to 

ensure quality and consistency. Toxicants, carriers and positive control chemicals reported in 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 6 

ECOTOX are assigned a Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) Registry number and are referred to by 

the Collective Index (CI) standard nomenclature. The CAS number and CI name are stored in a 

chemical card file and an online index file (EcoChem). EcoChem is available for screening CAS 

numbers and chemical names used in ECOTOX. Chemical name synonyms are stored 

electronically, but are also available from the chemical card file. 

Test/CAS Number/Chemical Name/ 

Record the test, carrier and/or positive control chemical name as it is reported in the publication. The 

test chemical, as presented by the author, is reported on line number one (TEST). The CAS number 

is assigned by locating the chemical name in the ECOTOX chemical card file or in the ECOCHEM 

database. If the chemical name is not in the chemical card file, record a >no= in the CAS number field 

and the coding sheet will be referred to ECOTOX staff for CAS number verification following 

completion of the coding and screening quality assurance checks. 

In certain instances the author may modify the test chemical by neutralizing or by adding a salt. The 

chemical that is introduced into the organism is what should be coded as the Test Chemical. 

Example: Author reports purchasing hydrogen selenite CAS#7783008 

which is neutralized with NaOH 

Author reports administering sodium selenite CAS#10102188 

to organism. 

Code: Test Sodium selenite 

CAS Number: 10102188 

To assign a CAS Number from a chemical name: 

Check EcoChem for the chemical name. 

$ If one CAS Number is found - assign CAS Number 

$ If more than one CAS Number is retrieved, check the molecular formula 

o If molecular formula is presented, match the molecular formula to a formula in EcoChem 

for the given name. [Note: Check the abstract, methods, footnotes, table footnotes, and 

the Acknowledgments section for this information] 

o If molecular formula is not presented, do one of the following: 

o If a generic CAS number is available for the chemical, assign the CAS number. 

o If a generic CAS number is not available, check to see if the metal has a 

common valence (see following table), e.g. copper chloride (the +2 valence is 

most common), assign the CAS Number for the most common valence for that 

chemical name. 

o For metal compounds that do not have a more common valence (see following 

table) and a generic CAS number is not available for the chemical name, assign 

the parent metal form, e.g. Arsenic if arsenate is the chemical reported by the 

authors. 

o For metal or nonmetal chemicals that do not fit these rules, refer the chemical to 

the Chemical verification staff for further investigation. 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 7 

Elements and Common Valences 

(from Periodic Table of the Elements, Sargent-Welch, 1980 cat. # S-18806) 

Element Symbol Common 

Valence Element Symbol Common Valence 

Actinium Ac 3 Molybdenum Mo 6 

Aluminum Al 3 Neodymium Nd 3 

Americium Am 3 Neptunium Np 5 

Antimony Sb 3 Nickel Ni 2 

Arsenic As 3 Niobium Nb 5 

Astatine At -1 Nitrogen N 3 

Barium Ba 2 Osmium Os 4 

Berkelium Bk 3 Oxygen O -2 

Beryllium Be 2 Palladium Pd 2 

Bismuth Bi 3 Phosphorus P 5 

Boron Be 3 Platinum Pt 4 

Bromine Br -1 Plutonium Pu 4 

Cadmium Cd 2 Polonium Po 4 

Calcium Ca 2 Potassium K 1 

Californium Cf 3 Praseodymium Pr 3,4 

Carbon C 4 Promethium Pm 3 

Cerium Ce 3 Protactinium Pa 5 

Cesium Cs 1 Radium Ra 2 

Chlorine Cl -1 Rhenium Re 7 

Chromium Cr 3 Rhodium Rh 3 

Cobalt Co 2 Rubidium Rb 1 

Copper Cu 2 Ruthenium Ru 3,4 

Curium Cm 3 Samarium Sm 3 

Dysprosium Dy 3 Scandium Sc 3 

Erbium Er 3 Selenium Se -4 

Europium Eu 3 Silicon Si 4 

Fluorine F -1 Silver Ag 1 

Francium Fr 1 Sodium Na 1 

Gadolinium Gd 3 Strontium Sr 2 

Gallium Ga 3 Sulfur S 6 

Germanium Ge 4 Tantalum Ta 5 

Gold Au 3 Technetium Tc 7 

Hafnium Hf 4 Tellurium Te -4 

Holmium Ho 3 Terbium Tb 3 

Hydrogen H 1 Thallium Ti 1 

Indium In 3 Thorium Th 4 

Iodine I -1 Thulium Tm 3 

Iridium Ir 4 Tin Sn 4 

Iron Fe 3 Titanium Ti 4 

Lanthanum La 3 Tungsten W 6 

Lead Pb 2 Uranium U 6 

Lithium Li 1 Vanadium V 5 

Lutetium Lu 3 Ytterbium Yb 3 

Magnesium Mg 2 Yttrium Y 3 

Manganese Mn 2 Zinc Zn 2 

Mercury Hg 2 Zirconium Zr 4 

For the remaining chemical information lines, record the chemical name as reported by the author 

regarding any carriers, solvents or positive controls used for the test. If neither a carrier/solvent nor a 

positive control was used, report as 'NR'. If a carrier/solvent or positive control was used, circle 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 8 

ACarrier@ or APositive Control@ as applicable. Frequently used carrier/solvent CAS numbers are listed 

in Appendix A. The CAS numbers for positive control chemicals are assigned by locating the chemical 

name in the ECOTOX chemical on-line or card file. If the chemical name is not in the chemical card 

file, record a >no= in the CAS number field and the coding sheet will be referred to ECOTOX staff for 

CAS number verification following completion of the coding and screening quality assurance checks. 

Note: Water should not be coded as a solvent. A solvent is defined as an agent (other than water) in which the test 

chemical is mixed to make it miscible with dilution water before distribution to test chambers. Solvents or carriers are used 

in toxicity tests where the concentrations of the test chemical are extremely low and a very small amount of test material 

must be added to the test chambers. (Rand, 1995) 

Note: Exposure and observation data for carrier and positive control chemicals are reported in the Exposure and Results 

sections. Refer to these sections for specific instructions.

Chemical Grade 

Record the chemical grade information for each chemical reported in the GRADE data field (refer to 

Appendix B for the applicable codes). 

Chemical Purity

Record the numeric percentage information about the purity or active ingredient of the chemical in the 

PURITY data field (e.g., if the author reports 97% purity, 97 would be entered into this data field. PU 

for purity would be entered into the FORMULATION data field (see CHEMICAL FORMULATION). 

Chemical Formulation

Record the chemical formulation code for each chemical reported in the FORMULATION data field 

(refer to Appendix C for the applicable codes). 

The chemical formulation FORM is only coded when explicitly identified by the authors as the form 

(e.g., commercial) or when presented in a standard format (e.g., 25EC). 

Chemical Comment 

Supplemental information about the test chemical is entered into the CHEMICAL COMMENT field. If 

a mixture of labeled and unlabeled chemical is used, remark Alabeled and unlabeled@ in this field. 

Record additional relevant chemical information such as trade names, common names, or isomers in 

this field. 

Radiolabel 

If a radiolabeled chemical is tested, record the isotope in the RADIOLABEL field (see Appendix D for 

codes). When the specific isotope is not reported or when multiple isotopes are reported, the field is 

marked with an asterisk (*). In REMARKS, note either RADIO/no isotope reported// or RADIO/isotope 

xx and isotope yy//. When both radiolabeled and unlabeled test chemicals are used in a test, report 

the radiolabeled isotope and code Alabeled and unlabeled@ in the CHEMICAL COMMENT field. 

Note: Any REMARKS made for fields in this section will be recorded according to the instructions set forth in Test 

Information.

Chemical Abstracts Services Registry Number (CAS NUMBER)

The CAS Number of the toxicant is recorded in the CAS NUMBER field. A standardized identification 

number and name for each chemical recorded in the database is used for consistency. Toxicants 

included in the ECOTOX database are assigned a CAS registry number and are referred to by the 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 9 

Ninth Collective Index (CI) standard nomenclature. The CAS number and CI name are stored in a 

chemical card file and in an online index file (ECOCHEM) which is available electronically for 

screening CAS numbers and chemical names used in ECOTOX. If a hydrated form of a chemical is 

used in the paper, record the hydrated form as reported by the author in the TEST field. However, 

record the CAS Number for the non-hydrated form of the chemical in the CAS NUMBER field. 

3. Test Information 

This section is used to report general information describing the test scenario. If any of the following 

information changes, a new Test ID is assigned and a new coding sheet is required. Specifically, the 

Test Information section describes the test organism, the test location and exposure type, information 

about the type of controls used, the total number of doses, and the application frequency. Refer to 

Table 3 for coding examples. 

A. Test Organism Information Parameters 

Species Number/ Scientific/Common Name

The test organism is identified by the current scientific name as verified in the taxonomic literature. 

Enter the species name, as presented by the author in the SPECIES SCIENTIFIC/COMMON NAME 

field. Each unique test organism is assigned a species number which is stored in the CRITTERS 

database. Locate the number for the species in the CRITTERS database and enter it in the SPECIES 

NUMBER field. If the species is not in the CRITTERS database enter 'no' in the SPECIES NUMBER 

field, and the coding sheet will be referred to ECOTOX staff for species verification following 

completion of the coding and screening quality assurance checks. For each species number, the 

verified name, taxonomic hierarchy, nomenclature history, and verification sources are kept on file for 

quality assurance documentation. 

Generally, when coding effects in ECOTOX, the data are reported for each individual species. Field 

studies may report results for a target community (e.g., beneficial and non-beneficial insects) or for an 

entire enclosed ecosystem (e.g. system-level primary productivity or respiration). Assign a community 

to the most specific taxonomic level possible (e. g. Aearthworms@ would be classified as 

AOligochaeta,@ Aweedy plant species@ would be classified as AMagnoliophyta.@). If you are not sure 

about the classification of a community, enter >no= in the SPECIES NUMBER field, and it will be sent 

to ECOTOX staff for verification. 

Decisions regarding the inclusion of species in TERRETOX are based on published terrestrial 

ecotoxicology standard methods and procedures documentation (eg., Menzer et al 1994; US EPA 

testing series; ASTM testing series). The focus for TERRETOX is to collect publications with data for 

soil invertebrate and microbial species, plant species (agricultural and native), wildlife avian species 

(e.g. mallard, pheasant or bobwhite), wild mammalian species (e.g., meadow vole, deer mouse or 

mink), terrestrial lifestages of amphibians and reptiles, and beneficial invertebrate species (e.g., 

honey bee, leafcutter bee or alkali bee). If data for other species including laboratory, domestic or 

non-beneficial organisms are reported in a publication, data for all test species are coded for entry 

into TERRETOX. Publications focusing primarily, or solely, on laboratory, domestic or non-beneficial 

organisms are not actively acquired or coded at this time.
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 10 

Organism Source 

Report the source of the test organism in the ORGANISM SOURCE data field (see Appendix E for 

codes). The source explicitly includes the strain of the organism, e.g. laboratory strain versus wild 

strain.

Organism Lifestage/Age 

The LIFESTAGE/AGE data field records the specific lifestage and/or age for each test organism at 

beginning of exposure, as reported in the paper (see Appendix F for lifestage codes and Appendix I 

for time units associated with the age of the organism). Record the lifestage information in the first 

box and age information in the second box on the coding sheet. Record as 'NR' if the information is 

not reported in the publication. 

Initial Weight (WTINT)

Report the weight and weight unit for each test organism at beginning of exposure, as reported in the 

paper as a Remark in the following format: WTINT/mean(min-max) unit//. 

Organism Comment (Org Characteristics) 

Report any general information provided about the test organism. Characteristics may include 

information such as specific strain name, cultivar, variety, length, developmental stage, hybrids or 

taxonomic groupings used to describe the organism being tested. 

Note: Information regarding the sex of the test organism is coded in the Sex field, see Exposure Information. The sex of 

the organism is often directly linked to the exposure and subsequent response observations; for example, specific 

reproductive responses are unique to males or females. 

Note: When reporting a cultivar, include >cv.= before the name of the cultivar. Include >var.= for variety in a similar manner. 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 11 

Table 3. Test Information Coding Sheet Example

SPECIES SCIENTIFIC/COMMON NAME __Aphis sp.__________________ ORGANISM INFORMATION

SPECIES NUMBER 5519 

ORGANISM SOURCE WLD 

LIFESTAGE/AGE NR 1-2 d 

CHARACTERISTICS A. mellifera and A. ligustica 

TEST LOCATION LAB EXPOSURE INFORMATION 

EXPOSURE TYPE FD 

plants sprayed outdoors in evening; moved 

to lab next day; bees exposed to plants in 

lab 

EXPOSURE DURATION 6 D 

STUDY DURATION 2 WK 

CONTROL TYPE B 

NUMBER OF DOSES 3 

APPLICATION FREQUENCY ADL 

MEDIA TYPE NAT SOIL INFORMATION 

SOIL TYPE Pedozioic Clay -silt 

SOIL TEXTURE % SA 79 SI 15 CL 6 

MEDIA PH 5.6 

MEDIA ORGANIC MATTER 5 % 

MEDIAMOISTURE (%) 31 

MEDIA CEC NR 

SOIL CONC MEASURED)/ 

 DRY-WET WEIGHT

M DRY 

B. Exposure Information Parameters 

Test Location

Report the location or setting in which the experiment was conducted in the TEST LOCATION data 

field (see Appendix H). For example, a natural field study (FieldN) is an experiment conducted 

outdoors in a natural setting. The test organisms are sampled in the wild, e.g. population counts. 

Outdoor studies conducted in a simulated environment are coded as an artificial field study (FieldA). 

Artificial field studies include organisms isolated from their natural environment via an enclosure of 

some type, e.g. cages or fencing. If the publication does not provide enough information to distinguish 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 12 

between FieldA and FieldN, then use the code FieldU to indicate that the field test type is unknown. 

Laboratory tests (LAB) are conducted indoors under controlled laboratory conditions. If the location or 

setting cannot be identified as laboratory or field from the publication, code as Not Reported (NR). 

Exposure Type 

For the TERRETOX database, the term >exposure= is used to refer to the mechanism by which the 

toxicant was applied. Organisms are typically exposed to toxicants through diet, injection, topical or 

environmental routes. On occasion, an exposure may be through multiple routes (e.g., such as topical 

and oral). 

Some exposures could be coded a variety of ways. For example, exposure as an aerial spray to a 

field plot could be coded either as a spray application or as exposure through multiple routes, eg. 

topical (through skin) and diet (from consumption of exposed vegetation) for animals, or topical 

(through leaves) and environmental (root uptake) for plants. Within the TERRETOX database, this 

instance is coded as a spray application. Multiple exposure route coding is applicable when the 

organism is exposed through two independent applications, for example, a contaminated diet and

topical application for animals or contaminated soil and leaf spray for plants. In this scenario, >MU=

would be entered into the EXPOSURE TYPE data field and a remark (TYPE/=FD= and TP// or 

TYPE/=PR= and >FS=//) would be noted in the Exposure Info comments section.

When coding, report the specific exposure type, e. g., for an intercutaneous injection, code as IC 

(intercutaneous) not I (injection). For an environmental exposure, code as HS (hand spray) not V 

(environmental). If an exposure type is not reported, code as Not Reported (NR). Refer to Appendix J 

for exposure type codes. 

TERRETOX does not include in vitro assays [i.e. an experimental trial, involving biological matter, 

which is exposed to a toxicant in an artificial apparatus rather than within a living organism] in the 

database. Studies in which the living organism is exposed as a whole, but an effect on an internal 

process is examined outside the body after the exposure, are coded (e.g. enzyme functions). The 

database contains some studies using excised organs and cell cultures from plants, however these 

types of studies are not actively coded at this time. Future coding of these studies is under 

discussion. 

TERRETOX does not include ‘inhalation’ studies or intratracheal instillation studies (placing chemical 

directly into lungs). These types of studies are rejected by using the keyword inhale. 

Test Method (TMETH)

Report the name of the testing method used for conducting the toxicity experiment (e.g. ASTM 

(American Society for Testing and Materials) or OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and 

Development) in the following format: TMETH/text//. See ECOTOX Appendix II for the codes and 

definitions. 

Study Type (STYPE)

Report the type of test set up for the toxicity study as reported by the author (e.g. ACUTE, CHRONIC, 

ELS (Early Life Stage), FLC (Full Life Cycle), Generational) in the following format: STYPE/text//. 

See ECOTOX Appendix HH for codes and definitions. 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 13 

Control Type 

Effects of toxicant exposure are evaluated by comparing the exposed organisms to untreated 

organisms - the controls. All toxicity tests should include a concurrent control where the test 

conditions are identical except for the absence of the toxicant. Some toxicity tests will also include a 

control for other test conditions such as the use of a solvent, feeding or acclimation requirements, 

historical or pre-exposure conditions and for establishing reproducibility by use of a reference 

toxicant. (Doull et.al. 1980) 

Report the type of test control(s) used in the study (Appendix M) by recording the applicable code in 

the CONTROL TYPE field. If more than one type of control is used in the study, e.g., a dilution water 

and carrier control, code >M= for multiple controls. Often comparisons are made that do not meet the 

criteria for a control; these types of comparisons include starvation studies and acclimation periods. 

Report the studies that complement the toxicity test, e.g. a starvation study used in a feeding 

behavior or avoidance test, as a comment in the REMARKS data field in the Test Information section 

of the coding sheet. Sometimes a paper will report a table of baseline or historical control values. Do 

not code these values unless there is a direct correlation to a measurement or endpoint; code only 

control values which complement response values. 

When data for the control are reported only in graphical format, interpret the data as accurately as 

possible and remark that the control data were obtained from a graph in the results information 

section. Data points derived from a graph are most typically represented as an approximation of the 

data point, a range around the specific data point or as a range for all of the represented values. 

If a control is identified for the test but no exposure or results data are reported, record the 

appropriate control type code in the Control Type field. No data will be coded in Exposure or Result 

Information fields. 

Number of Doses

Report the total number of exposure doses, including the controls, for each independent test design 

in the NUMBER OF DOSES data field. If number of exposures is not reported, e.g. in a publication 

reporting only calculated endpoints such as LD50s, code the field as 'NR'. Do not include endpoint or 

ranged doses or number of replicates in the total number of doses. 

Concentrations Tested (DOSES)

Report the concentrations and the units used for the toxicity test in the following format: 

DOSES/value/value/value unit//. If a concentration range is reported use the following format 

DOSES/min-max unit// 

Occasionally an author will report a concentration as a % or fraction of an LD50 value; e.g., either the 

sublethal concentration used was 10% of the 96-h LD50" or 1/10, 1/15 and 1/20 of the LD50". Such 

concentrations may be recalculated and used as the concentration tested if the original LD50 

concentration is provided in the publication. Flag the recalculation in the paper so that the calculation 

may be QAed and document the recalculation in the margin or on a blank page of the publication. Put 

a comma after the concentration unit and remark "Recalculated" (e.g. DOSES/3/6/15 mg/kg, 

recalculated//)Occasionally an author will report a concentration as a % or fraction of an LD50 value; 

e.g., either the sublethal concentration used was 10% of the 96-h LD50" or 1/10, 1/15 and 1/20 of the 

LD50". Such concentrations may be recalculated and used as the concentration tested if the original 

LD50 concentration is provided in the publication. Flag the recalculation in the paper so that the 

calculation may be QAed and document the recalculation in the margin or on a blank page of the 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 14 

publication. Put a comma after the concentration unit and remark "Recalculated" (e.g. DOSES/3/6/15 

mg/kg, recalculated//) 

Application Frequency 

Report the frequency of the dose application in the APPLICATION FREQUENCY data field. Refer to 

Appendix K for application frequency codes and units. 

Exposure and Study Durations

A toxicity test may range in duration from a pre-treatment period through the actual toxicant exposure 

and conclude with observations of the organisms post-exposure. Duration information is coded using 

the units reported in the publication (see Appendix I for valid units). Refer to Table 4 for a coding 

example. Exposure and study durations are reported with the Test Information. Observation Duration 

is reported with the Results Information. 

Table 4. Example 17-day experimental period with 2-day pre-treatment, 5-day exposure, and 10-day observation. Note: 

Pre-treatment days are not included in the study duration.

DURATION OF EXPERIMENT 

Pre-Trt Exposure Observation 

Calendar 

Days 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11* 12 13 14 15 16 17 

Test 

Periods 

1 2 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

Reported 

Days 

(Study 

Duration) 

-2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

Note: In test scenarios where incubation times are reported, i.e. enzyme fixation assays, be careful to report the toxicant 

exposure time not the assay incubation time.

Exposure Duration

The exposure duration is a mandatory field for inclusion in the TERRETOX database. In cases where 

the observation time is the only duration reported, it is assumed that the exposure duration is 

equivalent to the observation time. If the exposure duration is not reported, the paper is rejected. The 

period of time recorded in the EXPOSURE DURATION data field is the time of actual exposure to the 

chemical. For example, in Table 4 the exposure duration equals 5D. 

In some cases a biological time is used, such as an exposure time reported as Auntil hatch@, Agrowing 

season@ or Aafter the nth egg has been laid@. Use the code from Appendix I that best describes the 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 15 

author's words in duration units data field. >NA= will be coded as the duration mean value for all 

biological time durations (e.g. EXPOSURE MEAN: NA, EXPOSURE UNIT: HT; corresponds to an 

until hatch duration), unless a numeric value is substituted (e.g. EXPOSURE MEAN: 2, EXPOSURE 

DOSE: HV; corresponds to a 2 harvests duration). However, references to time such as Aobserved at 

end of the study period@ are not coded; such papers are rejected as having no exposure duration. 

For injection, diet, topical and environmental exposures where the actual exposure is dependent on 

biological and environmental conditions, the exposure time is recorded as equivalent to the study 

time. This assumption is made to ensure consistency in data representation; it is not necessarily a 

true reflection of the exposure time. 

When exposure duration values are extrapolated from a graph the values can be approximated even 

when the mark does not appear on the graph. For example, if the value on the graph is in the middle 

of two marks namely 10 and 14 days, the EXPOSURE DURATION can be coded as A12 d@ with a remark 

that it is from the graph: ETIME/from graph// 

Study Duration

The study duration is the total time of the study excluding pre-treatment times. In the example in 

Table 4, the study duration is equal to 15D (5D exposure plus a 10D observation). In cases where the 

observation time is the only duration reported, it is assumed that the study duration is equivalent to 

the observation time. The study duration will be reported as 'NR' if no observation or study time is 

reported. 

Note: for most field studies the exposure and study duration are identical because it is difficult to determine when the 

exposure ends. It is difficult to know when the application has completely dissipated in the environment. For lab studies the 

exposure and study duration may be different. This difference will be seen when there is a recovery period from exposure 

duration. For lab studies when the treatment is some type of injection or diet (intraperitoneally or by gavage), study 

duration and exposure duration are the same. 

When study duration values are extrapolated from a graph the values can be approximated even 

when the mark does not appear on the graph. For example, if the value on the graph is in the middle 

of two marks namely 10 and 14 days, the STUDY DURATION can be coded as A12 d@ with a remark that 

it is from the graph: STIME/from graph// 

Habitat Comment (HABITAT CODE)[Field parameter only]

A one-letter code based on the ecoregions derived from Bailey and UC Berkley (see ECOTOX 

Appendix X) is used to describe the habitat (e.g., Desert or Grassland) is coded as a remark 

HABCODE/code//. The descriptor field is used to record the author's description of the environment, 

e.g. mountain, agricultural. This information is coded as a remark in the format HAB/text//. If the 

author does not provide any information about the habitat, both fields are coded as NR (not reported). 

Geographic Location (LOCATION)[Field parameter only]

Water body, city, county or relevant site information is coded. (see ECOTOX Appendix AA for field 

location abbreviations.) . This information is coded as a remark in the format LOC/text// 

Geographic Code (ST/PR/COUNTRY)[Field parameter only]

Code the state, province or country name of the test site along with the Geo code as a remark in the 

format GEO/text, code//. If the test site is not reported, an "NR" is coded. (ECOTOX Appendix BB 

contains a listing of country, region, province names and associated Geo code.) 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 16 

Latitude/Longitude (LAT/LONG) [Field parameter only]

If reported by the author the latitude and longitude are recorded as a remark in the format LAT/text// 

or LONG/text//. The "~" sign replaces the "E" sign in data entry. If the Lat/Long are reported in 

decimal degrees write out the units; see example below. If not reported, NR is recorded. 

An example of a latitude/longitude location (MED, Duluth, MN) is listed below: 

Latitude: 46~50'51" N 

Longitude: 92~11'12" W

An example of a ranged latitude/longitude location is listed below: 

Latitude: 52~30'-53~30' N 

Longitude: 107~30'-106~30' W 

An example of a latitude/longitude reported in decimal degrees is listed below: 

 Latitude: N36.8 decimal degrees 

 Longitude: E115.7 decimal degrees 

Application Season (AP SEAS)[Field parameter only]

Is coded as a remark in the format AP SEAS/code//, ONLY if no application date is given by the 

author but the author does specify a season. This field contains the season of initial application of the 

chemical. A list of application seasons with dates and AQUIRE codes is presented below:

Code Season 

WI Jan-March 

SP April-June 

SU July-Sept 

AU Oct-Dec 

NR Not Reported 

Application Date (AP DATE)[Field parameter only]

The application date is the time of initial exposure. Code the application date as a remark in the 

format AP DATE/date//. The format is mm-dd-yyyy, e.g. 12-01-1993. If one or more parts of the date 

is not reported, code the letter of the date that is missing (e.g. 12-dd-1993, mm-dd-1993, 06-15-yyyy). 

If more than one initial date is reported (e.g. more than one field exposed), record the dates with a 

comma as a separator. If one field is exposed multiple times, only report the first application date and 

note #x in frequency. If the application date is not reported, NR is recorded. 

Application Rate (AP RATE)

Report the application rate value and the units that the author reports as a remark in the format AP 

RATE/value unit//. If an application rate is not reported by the author, record as NR. If an exposure 

concentration is not reported by author, the application rate must be reported. (See ECOTOX 

Appendix N for application units) 

Media Type 

Report the type of exposure media, (e.g., natural or artificial soil, aqueous (hydroponic), filter paper), 

in the EXPOSURE MEDIA data field using codes presented in Appendix L. Report as 'NR' if you 

cannot determine the exposure media from the paper. If an aqueous exposure is conducted in pore 

water from a specific soil, report the soil parameters in the soil characteristics fields (pH, CEC, OM, 

etc.). If the bottom of the experimental chamber is covered with sand and then topped with filter 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 17 

paper, an Experimental Design (EDES) remark should be made that sand was used in the chamber, 

but MEDIA should be FLT. 

C. Media Information Parameters 

Soil Type

Report the scientific name of the natural soil or commercial name of the artificial soil used in the study 

in the SOIL TYPE data field. If the scientific name is not included report the type of soil using the 

author's terminology, e.g., forest soil, sandy loam soil, arboreal coniferous soil. 

Soil Texture (Sand, Silt and Clay)

Report the texture of the soil as stated by the authors in the SOIL TEXTURE data field using 

percentages of sand (SA), silt (SI) or clay (CL). 

Note: Clay may be reported as bentonite, kaolinite or montmorillonite. 

Media pH

Report the pH of the test media used in the MEDIA pH data field. If the pH of the treated media is not 

presented, but the pH value is stated for the untreated or acclimation media, code the untreated 

media pH and add an asterisk to the end of the value. If the author specifies a measurement method 

for the pH value (e.g., that the pH value is measured by pHKCl or pHCaCl2), code the pH value and 

identify the measurement method in the REMARKS field. If the authors report that a standard (see 

Attachment G for list of standard soils) or commercially available artificial soil is used, but do not 

present pH, use the pH reported in the standard test method referenced by the author. If pH is 

reported for the untreated or acclimation media, code this pH value in the same way as outlined 

previously and denote with an asterisk. If the pH of a specific soil type is not given in the publication, 

a search of the USDA/NRCS National Cooperative Soil Survey (USA) online site, at the following web 

address: http://www.statlab.iastate.edu/cgi-bin/osd/osdname.cgi or the United States Department of 

Agriculture=s Natural Resources Conservation Service National Soil Survey Center site at the 

following web address: http://vmhost.cdp.state.ne.us:96 can be conducted for the specific soil series. 

If the pH is found, range the pH values for all soil depths in the pH data field and remark in the 

comments section pH/from USDA web source//. Attach a printout of the pH information from this site 

to the publication. 

Temperature (Temp)

Report the temperature of the test media used in the following format: TEMP/mean(min-max) unit// If 

the temperature of the treated media is not presented, but the temperature value is stated for the 

untreated or acclimation media, code the untreated media temperature and add an asterisk to the end 

of the value. When temperatures are reported for incubation chambers, these temperatures are 

acceptable for reporting as test temperatures. Do not code temperatures noted as Aroom 

temperature@. 

Media Organic Matter Type and Units

Report information about the test media organic matter as presented by the author. Use the 

measurement value, organic matter type, and units reported by the author. Refer to Appendix FF for 

organic matter type codes and units. If carbon and/or nitrogen content of the soils are reported, 

record these values in the Soil Information Remarks section; organic matter content may be 

estimated from these values. If the authors report that a standard ( see Attachment G for list of 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 18 

standard soils) or commercially available artificial soil is used, but do not present organic matter 

content, use the organic matter content reported in the standard test method referenced by the 

author. If organic matter is reported for the untreated or acclimation media, code this organic matter 

value in the same way as outlined previously and denote with an asterisk. If the organic matter of a 

specific soil type is not given in the publication, a search of the USDA/NRCS National Cooperative 

Soil Survey (USA) online site, at the following web address: http://www.statlab.iastate.edu/cgibin/osd/osdname.cgi or the United States Department of Agriculture=s Natural Resources 

Conservation Service National Soil Survey Center site at the following web address: 

http://vmhost.cdp.state.ne.us:96 can be conducted for the specific soil series. If the organic matter is 

found, range the organic matter values for all soil depths in the OM data field and remark in the 

comments section OM/from USDA web source. Attach a printout of the organic matter information 

from this site to the publication. 

Media Moisture 

Report percentage of moisture in the test media in the MEDIA MOISTURE data field. If moisture is 

reported for the untreated or acclimation media, code this moisture percentage and denote it with an 

asterisk. 

Media Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)

Report cation exchange capacity and units (Refer to Appendix FF for organic matter type units) of the 

test media in the MEDIA CEC data field. If the cation exchange capacity is reported for the untreated 

or acclimation media, code this value and denote with an asterisk. 

Soil Concentration (CONC) Measured / Dry-Wet Weight 

If soil was the exposure media, use the first data field to report if the toxicant concentration was 

measured in the soil. If measured, code as 'M' in the SOIL CONC MEASURED data field. If not 

measured or no information is provided, code as 'U' or 'NR' respectively in the SOIL CONC 

MEASURED data field. 

For instances where some treatment levels are measured and some are unmeasured/nominal, 

denote the SOIL CONC MEASURED as >X,= signifying that a mixture of measured and unmeasured 

values was reported in the publication, but ECOTOX reports the nominal concentrations. 

Soil Concentration (CONC) Basis of Measurement: Dry/Wet Weight 

Record whether soil concentration was reported based on dry or wet weight in the DRY - WET 

WEIGHT data field. 

Media Comment 

Test Information REMARKS sections are used to include additional information necessary for 

interpreting any of the specific test information fields as well as for providing information concerning 

the test in general. When additional information is necessary for a given field write 'FIELD 

NAME/remark text//' (refer to Appendix EE for applicable field name abbreviations). For general 

information that is not associated with a specific field, label the Remark as Other Effects (OEF). The 

Experimental Design (EDES) notation is used to identify information that differentiates between 

exposure scenarios but does not directly implement changes in the data fields. Information that may 

make a significant change in test design includes varying exposure substrates or seasonal exposure 

scenarios. 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 19 

4. Exposure Information 

This section is used to record the exposure parameters for each specific test. A specific test is 

identified by the Test ID (TID) number as previously described. If the paper is a benchmark study 

that has been approved by EPA for dose-response coding, within each specific test, information is 

recorded for every treatment level including test controls, positive controls, carrier controls, and 

toxicant exposures. Such information includes the sample number and sex, the exposure dose, 

whether the dose is reported in ionic form, the chemical analysis method, and any pertinent remarks 

(see Table 5). If it is not approved for dose-response coding ,within each test, two exposure records 

could be coded, a ranged >R= and/or endpoint =E= exposure. These exposures report the range of 

exposure concentrations. 

Dose ID and Dose Number (No.)

Each treatment in a test is assigned a Dose ID and a Dose Number. Controls are always reported 

first and identified by the appropriate letter code from Appendix M in the DOSE ID field. Exposure 

doses are identified by the letter 'D'. A link is created to calculated endpoints that are dependent on 

multiple exposure doses by coding a line identified by the letter 'E' (the linkage 'E' is not used for BAF, 

TKNO or LTxx/Etxx data. These are linked to a specific dose). Information taken from a graph 

(responses that DO NOT have endpoints or statistics) may be coded using a ranged dose 'R' that 

encompasses all of the exposure concentrations excluding the control(s). If more than one type of 

control is used in the study, e.g. a dilution water and carrier control, code two lines for control, ('C' for 

the dilution water control and 'V' for the carrier control) in the DOSE ID field. If more than one control 

of a specific type is used, number each control in the set as a replicate, e.g. 1V,. 2V If a control or 

treatment is identified for the test but no exposure data are reported, there will not be any data to 

code for Exposure Information or Result Information. See Tables 3, 4 and 5 for coding examples. 

When replicates are used and the results are reported separately for each replicate, code a separate 

line for each replicate. When the publication notes that replicates were run but the author only reports 

the results as the mean of the replicate values, do not code individual lines for the replicates but 

instead note this information in General Remarks, ie. Ax replicates;=> see also the Observed Response 

Value section in Results Information for additional instructions. 

When dose data are reported only in a graphical format, interpret the data as accurately as possible 

and remark that the data were obtained from a graph. Data points derived from a graph are most 

typically represented as an approximation of the data point, a range around the specific data point or 

as a range for all of the represented values. 

Note: For the example in Table 5 , the Number of Doses reported in Test Information would be six (6) to represent the two 

control levels and four treatment levels; all doses tested are recorded in this field regardless of whether responses are 

reported. Endpoint (E) and range (R) "doses" and replicate concentrations DO NOT get counted in the total number of 

doses. 

Table 5. Exposure Information 

DOSE NO DOSE 

ID N SEX DOSE SM VALUE UNIT ION M/U RN

1 C 10 F 0 - - ppm - U 1 

2 C A A A - - A - A NR 

3 V A A 1 - - ug/l - M NR 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 20 

DOSE NO DOSE 

ID N SEX DOSE SM VALUE UNIT ION M/U RN

4 D A A 3 SE 0.01 ppm Cu A 2 

5 D A A A A 0.15 A A A A

6 D A A 9 A 0.02 A A A A

7 D A A A A 0.15 A A A A

8 E NR A NR NR NR NR A A NR 

GENERAL REMARKS

1. CONTR/Control for first generation only// 

2. DOSE/Conc reported as flower residues// 

DATA CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE

Note: On occasion, when coding data for the Exposure Information section, the number of test exposures and/or replicates 

will exceed the allotted coding space. If this should occur, continue coding on a second sheet. Note at the bottom of the 

exposure information section on the first page that the data continues on a second page.

Note: When concentrations are not reported for soil and pore water doses, but endpoints are reported, code exposure 

information as >E-dose# = NR=, then code two separate endpoints for the soil and pore water endpoints in the results 

section. Add a remark RVALUE/soil conc// or RVALUE/pore water conc// respectively.

Sample Number (N) 

Sample number, denoted by an 'N' on the coding sheet, reflects the sample size at each exposure 

dose, i.e., the number of test organisms per treatment. Code as 'NR' if not reported. 

Gender (Sex)

This field identifies the sex of the organism (male (M), female (F) or both (B) at each exposure level. The 

importance of this field becomes apparent where organisms of both sexes are exposed at a given 

treatment level, but the observations are conducted on either the male or female. In this instance, the 

SEX field would be coded as B in Exposure Information, with individual results reported for M and F in 

Results Information in the Sample Number Unit field. See Results Information and Table 5 for coding 

examples. Code 'NR' if not reported. 

Dose 

Report the exposure dose as reported in the publication. Report the approximation (~), minus (-), 

greater than (>), or less than (<) symbols used by the author(s) to describe the exposure dose. The 

mean and/or range is coded in the DOSE data field and the unit in the UNIT field, see below. If the 

range values are confidence interval (CI), confidence limits (CL) or fiducial interval (FI) code the 

abbreviation in the SM data field. See the coding example presented in Table 5 . 

For instances where some treatment (dose) levels are measured and some are unmeasured/nominal, 

and all unmeasured/nominal concentrations are reported, report the unmeasured/nominal 

concentrations for each treatment level so that the range of concentrations is consistent and 

monotonical. Denote all of the concentration analysis methods as >X,= signifying that a mixture of 

measured and unmeasured values was reported. 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 21 

When coding dose response data and the author reports both dose/concentration and application 

rate, the dose/concentration is reported instead of the application rate. Report the application rate in 

the Exposure Remarks section in the following format AP Rate/XXXX//. 

Note: If chemical concentrations (especially metals) are reported in terms of Total, Exchangeable, Water Soluble and 

Pore Water concentrations, Total is the concentration selected for entry into the dose data field. The other concentrations 

are reported as remarks.

Note: If a background concentration is reported for the chemical being applied, report the background value in the control 

dose in the DOSE field. 

Occasionally an author will report a concentration as a % or fraction of an LD50 value; e.g., either the 

sublethal concentration used was 10% of the 96-h LD50" or 1/10, 1/15 and 1/20 of the LD50". Such 

concentrations may be recalculated and used as the effect concentration if the original LD50 

concentration is provided in the publication. Flag the recalculation in the paper so that the calculation 

may be QAd and document the recalculation in the margin or on a blank page of the publication. In the 

Remark Number/Remarks (RN) make a remark of "Recalculated". 

Dose Statistical Method (SM) 

Report the method used to determine the range around the Dose in the SM data field, if reported by 

the author(s). Use standard codes for the methods, i.e., standard deviation (SD), standard error (SE), 

confidence interval (CI), confidence limits (CL) or fiducial interval (FI) or range (R). If the interval 

around a value is not identified in the paper as SD, SE, CI, CL, FI or R, then code as not reported 

(NR). 

Dose Value

Report the numeric value of the standard deviation or standard error around the Dose in the VALUE 

data field, as reported by the author(s). 

Dose Unit

Report the measurement unit that corresponds to Dose in the UNIT data field (see Appendix N for 

standard units). If the author reports that the concentration is based on active ingredient or acid 

equivalent choose the unit preceded by AI or ae from the dropdown menu (e.g. AI mg/kg or ae mg/kg). 

Concentration Type (CONC TYPE)

The three forms of toxicants evaluated in ECOTOX are organic compounds, metals and inorganic nonmetals. Each form can be identified as a concentration type code using the single letter abbreviation. 

Organic compounds are defined by the pesticidal terms, formulation (F) and active ingredient (A). 

Publications that do not specify the compound by the definition criteria for active ingredients are by 

default coded in the formulation (F) category. 

Metals are defined by the concentration types, total (T), dissolved (D), and labile/free (L); while 

ammonia or hydrogen sulfide compounds may have total concentrations (T) and/or un-ionized (U) 

concentrations. Organometals are coded as total (T) concentrations. 

Concentration Type is also linked to the Chemical Analysis Method (METHOD) field.(see discussion 

below on Active Ingredient). 

Concentration Types and Definitions

Organic: 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 22 

FORMULATION (F): Way in which basic pesticide (toxicant) is prepared for practical use (Ware, 1978). Generally 

reserved for commercial preparation prior to actual use and does not include the final dilution (Insect-Pest 

Management and Control, 1971) (e.g.; Baythroid, 2,4-D). Also included in this category are organic compounds 

with no pesticidal activity (e.g.; PCB, dioxin). 

ACTIVE INGREDIENT (A): Chemical substance in a product that is responsible for the pesticidal (toxic) effect 

(Ware, 1978). Reported as "A" when the author refers to the concentration as active ingredient, active principle , 

active substance (A.S.), acid equivalent or various grades of reagents (ie., Analytical, Reagent or Technical). 

When coding, a value in the publication may be reported as AAI kg/ha@, "AE kg/ha", or Akg AI/ha@; in AQUIRE this 

type of value is reported as >A == for CONC TYPE, with units as kg/ha. For example, 100 kg AI/ha is reported as A 

= 100 kg/ha. 

Note: Information reported in the PURITY field does not necessarily determine whether concentration is A or F. In 

addition to the description above, using AA@ as the concentration type occurs in situations such as the following: 

1) Author states concentration of pesticide as AAI@. 

2) Author states %AI (PURITY) and reports measured concentration. 

3) Author states measured concentration of a pesticide. 

Metal/Organometals:

TOTAL (T): The concentration of metals determined on an unfiltered sample after vigorous digestion, or the sum of 

the concentrations of metals in both dissolved and suspended fractions ( APHA et.al. 1992). Heavy metals and 

single elements (e.g. Na, Cl, Br) are coded as T. 

DISSOLVED (D): Those constituents of an unacidified sample that pass through a 0.45 um membrane filter (e.g. 

soluble metal) (APHA et.al. 1992). 

LABILE (L): The labile or free ion metal concentration determined by various analytical methods. When coding, the 

specific labile forms or complexes are not differentiated. 

Inorganic non-metals: 

Concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide are reported in the literature in either the total or unionized form. 

Code the form as specified by the author. Ammonia may be reported as a variety of different forms, eg., NH3, 

NH4

+

, NH3-N, NH4OH, or NH4Cl. ( US EPA 1979) The author must state whether the form is Total or Unionized; T

is the default for ammonia and hydrogen sulfide papers that do not state whether total or unionized concentrations 

are reported. 

TOTAL (T): The dissociated, charged form of nitrogen or hydrogen related chemicals. This can take on numerous 

forms, e.g.; ammonium (NH+

4), nitrite (NO2), etc. (Rand and Petrocelli, 1985).T is the default for publications that 

do not state whether Total or Unionized concentrations are reported. 

UN-IONIZED (U): The undissociated, uncharged form of ammonia or hydrogen sulfide. The ammonia molecule, 

NH3, is the unionized form. (In aqueous solution, ammonia assumes an equilibrium between NH3 and NH+

4.) The 

NH3 is the toxic entity of the ammonia compound (Rand and Petrocelli, 1985). 

Ionic Fraction

For ionizing substances (e.g., metals, ammonia), report the dose as the ion if the concentration 

presented by the authors is reported as based on the ionic form of the compound (e.g., organotin as 

Sn ). Code the appropriate ionic symbol in the ION data field (see Appendix O for ion codes). If 

concentration is based on the total compound, code 'NR' in this field. For non-ionizing substances, 

code 'NR' in this field. 

Chemical Analysis Method (M/U)

The M/U data field identifies whether nominal or quantified exposure dose values were reported by 

the author(s). For the specific exposure level, report whether toxicant and/or carrier concentration 

was measured (M) or calculated/nominal/unmeasured (U) (see Appendix P for codes and 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 23 

definitions). When it is not clear whether reported concentrations are measured, calculated or 

unmeasured, record as Not Reported (NR). 

For instances where some treatment (dose) levels are measured and some are 

unmeasured/nominal, and all unmeasured/nominal concentrations are reported, report the 

unmeasured/nominal concentrations for each treatment level so that the range of concentrations is 

consistent and monotonical. Denote all of the concentration analysis methods as >X,= signifying that a 

mixture of measured and unmeasured values was reported. 

Measured concentration data are selected over nominal concentration results, except when the 

presentation of the results is more complete with the nominal concentration data vs the measured 

data (i.e., lumping records vs. separate test results). 

Remark Number/Remarks (RN) 

When there are remarks for a specific test, the REMARKS field as well as the Remark Number RN 

(remarks number) data field, will be coded. Remarks are identified by the coding field abbreviation 

listed in Appendix EE. The Remark Number (RN) field is used to link the remarks associated with 

each specific test. Each unique Remark is assigned a Remark Number, and only one Remark 

Number is used per result entry. Use an independent unique Remark Number for each section of the 

database, i.e., do not carry over Remarks or Remark Numbers from the Exposure section to the 

Results section. Refer to Tables 3 and 5 for coding examples. 

General Comment

General information about the exposure such as any specific methodology or techniques used is 

recorded in the REMARKS data field with the Other Effect (OEF) identifier. General information about 

the test may include names of other chemicals that were tested but were not coded for TERRETOX, 

results are not provided, effects that have been reported but are not linked to a dose, effects that are 

reported but are not applicable to TERRETOX (e.g. in vitro studies, selectivity ratios, acute to chronic 

ratios), or effect modifiers such as changes in soil pH, temperature or humidity. 

5. Results Information 

This section is used to record observed effects for each control and dose level reported for the 

specific test. The Dose ID and Dose No. is carried forward from Exposure Information. Information 

specific to the observed response includes the sample number and sample unit, exposure duration, 

descriptors of the effect observed, the response site, and a quantitative measure of the response. 

Refer to Table 6 for specific fields included in this section of the TERRETOX Coding Sheet. 

Terrestrial data will be encoded in the following manner (Dose-Response data will only be coding for 

benchmark studies agreed upon by EPA): 

1. All author reported endpoints (from graphs, text and/or tables) will be encoded 

2. NOEC/LOEC data points from statistically analyzed data at all measurements (i.e., author 

does not clearly identify these as NOEC/LOEC, but sig/nosig designations have been made), 

durations and response sites will be coded. These will be noted as "Reviewer Assigned" 

[NOTE:Positive/beneficial effects (e.g. increase in growth over control, decrease in injury over control, 

increase in abundance over control) that are statistically significant are coded as NOEL/NOECs. A 

remark in the EE REMARK field should state that the effect was a statistically significant increase or 

decrease over control, which ever is applicable.] 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 24 

3. NR-ZERO and NR-LETH will be coded for aquatic and terrestrial studies following 

procedures outlined in the current AQUIRE coding guidelines 

4. Data that is not statistically analyzed will be coded as a one line data marker, ranging all 

concentrations, durations and response sites per effect. 

5. Data that is graphed and not statistically analyzed or data that is qualitative will be coded as 

a one line data marker, ranging all concentrations, durations and response sites per effect. 

6. If the data encoded by a special project is not encompassed by the rules listed above (e.g. 

data from special projects that used the 10% change to assign endpoints), the data will be coded as 

follows: 

For data reviewed by a special project prior to ECOTOX coding, not currently in the special 

projects database, the special project coder will note that a 10% endpoint was coded. 

For data already in a Special project database, CSC will extract a file of endpoints (noted by 

10% text) in the endpoint comments (TRV) or statistic field (PCB) and examine the data 

encoded by the special project 

For both of these cases, CSC will add an entry (non-endpoint) to the database noting that a of 

10% change occurred at the specific duration or concentration in the remarks field (e.g., 10% 

TRV). 

If data is reported for a Terrestrial MAMMAL or AVIAN receptor OR if the Reference has 

passed the Acceptability criteria for TRV or EcoSSL data (plant, invert, bird, mammal) CSC will 

encode all dose response data, in addition to the above rules 

General Information on Results Coding:

Coding Data Similarly Presented 

Often data are reported as individual measurements as well as a mean or range for these values. Report individual test 

results only. However, if both raw data and percentages, e.g. number survived and % survival, are reported, both values 

are coded. An exception to this coding procedure occurs when data reported for individual endpoints are graphed and 

mean/median data are explicitly reported. For example, when replicate LC50s are reported on graphs and the mean and 

median LC50s are reported in the text, code both the graphed and textual data (remark on data points taken from the 

graph, and also note mean LC50 or Median LC50 in the comments). 

Graphed Data 

Data points derived from a graph are represented in TERRETOX as an approximate value, a range around the specific 

data point or as a range for all of the represented values. The values taken from the graph must be ranged using the 

author= s X- and Y- axis values. Do not interpolate values that lie between axis values. A result remark is added to the 

observed response field denoting that the data were extracted from a graph. 

Graphed data are coding one of the following ways: 

1. Calculated endpoints (e.g. LC50s, BAFs) are always coded separately. 

2. Statistically analyzed graphed data that is graphed is coded as denoted in Example 1a & b. For Example 1a (coding 

dose response data for papers from the TRV/EcoSSL documents), Data trends should be examined (i.e. areas where the 

exposure changes from not significantly different to significantly different from the control values) and coded. The 

maximum number of result records that can be coded from statistically analyzed graphed data is 2n-1, where n is the 

number of concentrations including the control. If all data points for a single dose are significant, non-significant or have 

multiple significance (i.e. no clear response) combine all durations into a single record (see Example 1, doses 2D, 4D and 

7D). If a dose presents a clear trend (e.g. non-significant for the first three weeks and significant for the last two weeks) 

code two results for the dose. Combine the durations for the first three weeks and code the Statistical Significance as 

Anosig@ for the first result and combine the durations for the second two weeks and code the Statistical Significance as 

Asig@. Code records similarly if part of the dose is significant or not significant and the other part has multiple significance 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 25 

(See Example 1, doses 3D, 5D and 6D. For Example 1b (General ECOTOX coding) reviewer assigned endpoints should 

be coded at each duration, no dose response data encoded unless the paper is from the TRV/EcoSSL documents. 

3. For data that is not statistically analyzed, two lines are coded, one line for the control and a second line for all doses. For 

the ranged doses, the exposure number would be coded as #R (# representing the next dose level) and the exposure 

concentrations would be ranged in the Dose data field. See Example 2 for the coding of non-analyzed data. 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 26 

Example 1. Statistically Analyzed Data 

Rat weight (g)

800

700 0 ppm

600 1 ppm

Terretox Results Coding for Example 1a (For dose response coding, i.e. data from the 

TRV/EcoSSL documents) 

OBSERVED RESPONSE VALUE/UNIT ID SMP # 

UNITS 

OBSERV 

 DUR 

EFFECT MEAS 

MENT 

END 

PNT 

 

R STAT LEVEL P

R

SITE 

MEAN RANGE SM VALUE UNIT 

D 

W 

% 

REMARK 

 

1C NR 

OR 

1-5 w GRO WGHT NR -1 NR NR P W

O 

NR ~100/ - 

~700/ 

NR NR g NR 1. RVALUE/ 

FROM GRAPH// 

2D NR 

OR 

1-5 w GRO WGHT NR -1 nosig p<0.05 P W

O 

NR ~100/ - 

~700/ 

NR NR g NR 1. RVALUE/ 

FROM GRAPH// 

3D NR 

OR 

1-3 w GRO WGHT NR -1 nosig p<0.05 P W

O 

NR >100/ - 

<500/ 

NR NR g NR 1. RVALUE/ 

FROM GRAPH// 

3D NR 

OR 

4-5 w GRO WGHT NR -1 mult P<0.05 P W

O 

NR >500/ - 

<700/ 

NR NR g NR 1. RVALUE/ 

FROM GRAPH// 

0

100

200

300

400

500

1 week 2 week 3 week 4 week 5 week

5 ppm

10 ppm

50 ppm

100 ppm

500 ppm

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 27 

OBSERVED RESPONSE VALUE/UNIT ID SMP # 

UNITS 

OBSERV 

 DUR 

EFFECT MEAS 

MENT 

END 

PNT 

 

R STAT LEVEL P

R

SITE 

MEAN RANGE SM VALUE UNIT 

D 

W 

% 

REMARK 

 

4D NR 

OR 

1-5 w GRO WGHT NR -1 mult P<0.05 P W

O 

NR >0/ - <700/ NR NR g NR 1. RVALUE/ 

FROM GRAPH// 

5D NR 

OR 

1-3 w GRO WGHT NR -1 nosig p<0.05 P W

O 

NR >100/ - 

<500/ 

NR NR g NR 1. RVALUE/ 

FROM GRAPH// 

5D NR 

OR 

4-5 w GRO WGHT NR -1 sig p<0.05 P W

O 

NR >400/ - 

<~700/ 

NR NR g NR 1. RVALUE/F 

ROM GRAPH// 

6D NR 

OR 

1-3 w GRO WGHT NR -1 mult p<0.05 P W

O 

NR >100/ - 

<500/ 

NR NR g NR 1. RVALUE/ 

FROM GRAPH// 

6D NR 

OR 

4-5 w GRO WGHT N -1 sig p<0.05 P W

O 

NR ~400/ - 

<~500/ 

NR NR g NR 1. RVALUE/ 

FROM GRAPH// 

7D NR 

OR 

1-5 w GRO WGHT NR -1 sig p<0.05 P W

O 

NR >0/ - <~400/ NR NR g NR 1. RVALUE/ 

FROM GRAPH// 

Terretox Results Coding for Example 1b (General ECOTOX coding)

OBSERVED RESPONSE VALUE/UNIT ID SMP # 

UNITS 

OBSERV 

 DUR 

EFFECT MEAS 

MENT 

END 

PNT 

 

R STAT LEVEL P

R

SITE 

MEAN RANGE SM VALUE UNIT 

D 

W 

% 

REMARK 

 

8E NR OR 1 w GRO WGHT NOEL -1 nosig p<0.05 R WO NR 100/ - NR NR ppm NR 1. RVALUE/ FROM 

GRAPH// 

8E NR OR 1 w GRO WGHT LOEL -1 sig p<0.05 R WO NR 500/ NR NR ppm NR 1. RVALUE/ FROM 

GRAPH// 

8E NR OR 2 w GRO WGHT NR -1 MULT p<0.05 R WO NR 1-500/ NR NR ppm NR 1. RVALUE/ FROM 

GRAPH// 

8E NR OR 3 w GRO WGHT NOEL -1 nosig p<0.05 R WO NR 100/ - NR NR ppm NR 1. RVALUE/ FROM 

GRAPH// 

8E NR OR 3 w GRO WGHT LOEL -1 sig p<0.05 R WO NR 500/ NR NR ppm NR 1. RVALUE/ FROM 

GRAPH// 

8E NR OR 4 w GRO WGHT NOEL -1 nosig p<0.05 R WO NR 1/ NR NR ppm NR 1. RVALUE/F ROM 

GRAPH// 

8E NR OR 4 w GRO WGHT LOEL -1 sig p<0.05 R WO NR 5/ NR NR ppm NR 1. RVALUE/ FROM 

GRAPH// 

8E NR OR 5 w GRO WGHT NOEL -1 nosig p<0.05 R WO NR 10/ NR NR ppm NR 1. RVALUE/ FROM 

GRAPH// 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 28 

OBSERVED RESPONSE VALUE/UNIT ID SMP # 

UNITS 

OBSERV 

 DUR 

EFFECT MEAS 

MENT 

END 

PNT 

 

R STAT LEVEL P

R

SITE 

MEAN RANGE SM VALUE UNIT 

D 

W 

% 

REMARK 

 

8E NR OR 5 w GRO WGHT LOEL -1 sig p<0.05 R WO NR 50/ NR NR ppm NR 1. RVALUE/ FROM 

GRAPH// 

Example 2. Non-analyzed Data 

Rat Weight (g)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

1 week 2 week 3 week 4 week 5 week

0 ppm

1 ppm

5 ppm

10 ppm

50 ppm

100 ppm

500 ppm

Terretox Results Coding for Example 2

OBSERVED RESPONSE VALUE/UNIT ID SMP # 

UNITS 

OBSERV 

 DUR 

EFFECT MEAS 

MENT 

END 

PNT 

 

R STAT LEVEL P

R

SITE 

MEAN RANGE SM VALUE UNIT 

D 

W 

% 

REMARK 

 

1C NR OR 1-5 w GRO WGHT NR -1 NR NR P W

O 

NR ~100/ - 

~700/ 

NR NR g NR 1. RVALUE/ FROM 

GRAPH// 

8R NR 

OR 

1-5 w GRO WGHT NR -1 NR NR P W

O 

NR ~100/ - 

~700/ 

NR NR g NR 1. RVALUE/ FROM 

GRAPH// 

Species Data 

Data may be reported for an individual species as well as for a community or population. For example an author may 

report that biomass for an earthworm, Eisenia fetida, has decreased and that the invertebrate population biomass has 

increased. Report the measurements and endpoints as reported by the author for both the individual species and the 

species group. 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 29 

Dose ID & Dose No 

This is the same Dose ID and Number as recorded for each treatment level under the in Exposure 

Information. Transcribe the ID and Dose Number for each treatment level. 

Sample Number (SMP#) and / Units 

The sample number reflects the sample size (e.g., 10 embryos) that the observation or response 

value is based on at each exposure level. For endpoints based on calculations (e.g. LD50, NOEL, 

etc.) rather than individual dose measurements, the sample number will be coded as 'NR'. Code 'NR' 

if no information about the observed sample has been reported. 

Sample units correspond to the sample number; i.e., the unit on which the measurement or endpoint 

is based (see Appendix Q for applicable codes). Code 'NR' if the sample unit is not reported. 

EXAMPLE: For a sample size of 190 eggs, the sample unit is eggs (EG); therefore, if the effect measurement is 

HTCH, and the observation response value is 90%, then 90% of 190 eggs hatched. 

Note: For generational studies and measurements based on the progeny, note F1, F2, etc. in the sample units field. 

Note: If a sample number is not provided, but a "unit" is, always enter the unit in the sample units field. 

Note: A FieldN test scenario involves exposing plots or sample areas, in addition to specific test organisms. Usually the 

number of exposed organisms is unknown. The number of plots or sample areas is coded as '#/EU= (the number of 

experimental units) in Results Information rather than in the Exposure Information Sample Number field. See Table 6 for 

coding examples 

Observation Time Duration (OBSRV DUR)

The Observation Duration reported includes exposure time plus any additional days up to the time at 

which the response to the toxicant was observed. It does not include pre-treatment time. In the 

example in Table 4, the observation was made on day 11; therefore, the observation duration time is 

9D. If the observation time is not reported or unable to be explicitly determined, code as less than or 

equal to (<=) the exposure duration. NR should not be coded in this data field. 

Observations during the pretreatment time are reported as negative values. For the Table 4 example, 

the observation time for a pretreatment sample collected on day 2 of the pretreatment period would 

be recorded as -1D. Report as >-x= any pretreatment response observations for which time is 

unknown. 

In some cases a biological time is used, such as an observation time reported as Auntil hatch@, 

Agrowing season@ or Aafter the nth egg has been laid@. Use the code from Appendix I that best 

describes the author's words in duration units data field. >NA= will be coded as the duration mean 

value for all biological time durations (e.g. OBSERVATION MEAN: NA, OBSERVATION UNIT: HT; 

corresponds to an until hatch duration), unless a numeric value is substituted (e.g. OBSERVATION 

MEAN: 2, OBSERVATION DOSE: HV; corresponds to a 2 harvests duration). However, references 

to time such as Aobserved at end of the study period@ are not coded; such papers are rejected as 

having no observation duration. 

Note: In test scenarios where incubation times are reported, e.g.. enzyme fixation assays, be careful to report the toxicant 

exposure time not the assay incubation time.

Note: In test scenarios that involve generational studies, the observation duration times are reported from the time the 

parents were exposed. For example the parents were exposed for 10 months prior to mating, and the progeny was born 2 

months later, the observation duration for both the adult REP PROG effect and for the juvenile DVP ABNL is 12 months. 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 30 

The exposure duration would be the same for both - 10 months. The only difference between the two effects is in the 

sample unit. The sample unit for the adult effect would be 'AD' and for the juveniles it would be 'F1'. 

Table 6 . Results Information Coding Examples 

Dose 

ID 

& 

No. 

SMP 

# 

UNIT 

OBS 

DUR 

EFCT MEAS END 

PT 

R S 

T 

A 

T 

L

V

L 

P

R

 S 

 I 

T 

E 

OBSERV.RESP 

VALUE/UNIT 

X Range SM Value 

Unit 

DW

% 

% 

L 

 P 

 D 

R 

A 

N 

K 

R 

N 

REMARKS 

1C 10 F 5h MOR MDTH NR -1 N

R 

N

R 

N

R

NR 11.5 SD 7.8 d NR N

R 

- 1 1 RVALUE/ 

from 

graph// 

2 MSMT/ 

asymptotic 

level// 

1C A @ A ACC RSDE A -1 " A A WO 1245 ug/g W 

25 

42 - 2 

3V A @ A MOR MDTH A -1 " A A NR 15.8 SD 5.9 d NR N

R 

- 1 

4D A @ A A A A -1 " A A A 12.8 SD 7.6 d A A - 1 

5D A @ A A A A -1 " A A A 15.6 SD 5.5 d A A - 1 

5D A @ A ACC RSDE A -1 " A A WO 1459 ug/g W 

33 

44 - 2 

6D A @ A MOR MDTH A -1 " A A NR 16.6 SD 8.0 d NR N

R 

- 1 

1C 10 

EU 

1-5d REP PROG NR -1 N

R 

N

R 

N

R

NR 680 (645-690) eg/d NR N

R 

- N

R 

2C A A A A A -1 " A A A 983 (825-1012) eg/d A A - N

R 

3V A@ A A A A -1 " A A A 259 (243-272) eg/d A A - N

R 

4D A A A A A -1 SI

G 

<

.

0

5 

P A 246 (232-257) eg/d A A - N

R 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 31 

Dose 

ID 

& 

No. 

SMP 

# 

UNIT 

OBS 

DUR 

EFCT MEAS END 

PT 

R S 

T 

A 

T 

L

V

L 

P

R

 S 

 I 

T 

E 

OBSERV.RESP 

VALUE/UNIT 

X Range SM Value 

Unit 

DW

% 

% 

L 

 P 

 D 

R 

A 

N 

K 

R 

N 

REMARKS 

5D A A A A A -1 " A A A 255 (242-267) eg/d A A - N

R 

Data for REP/PROG would be continued for dose levels 3 and 5 

8E NR 

NR 

20d MOR MORT LD50 -1 N

R 

N

R 

P NR 9.8 (5.6 -11.2) d NR N

R 

- 1 

When coding the endpoints LTxx or ETxx, which are based on the time it takes to get a XX% 

response, code the associated effect response time and not the total exposure time in the 

OBSERVED DURATION field. 

Example 1: A test with earthworms is run for 10 hours, but it takes 6 hours for the "T1/2" duration which is the 

time to take 50% to burrow. The author reported T1/2 endpoint is similar to an ET50 endpoint, therefore a reviewer 

assigned ET50 is coded. 

Code: 

Assigned Endpoint: R Endpoint: ET50 Effect: BEH Measurement: BBBH Observation Duration: 6 h 

Example 2: A 4 week study is run with quail and reports mortality. The author reports the LT50 value at 10 mg/kg, 

20 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg as 3.5 weeks, 2 weeks and 1 week, respectively. 

Code: 

Assigned Endpoint: P Endpoint: LT50 Effect: MOR Measurement: MORT Duration: 3.5 wk Concentration: 

10 mg/kg 

Assigned Endpoint: P Endpoint: LT50 Effect: MOR Measurement: MORT Duration: 2 wk Concentration: 20 

mg/kg 

Assigned Endpoint: P Endpoint: LT50 Effect: MOR Measurement: MORT Duration: 1 wk 

 Concentration: 30 mg/kg 

When observed duration values are extrapolated from a graph the values can be approximated even 

when the mark does not appear on the graph. For example, if the value on the graph is in the middle 

of two marks namely 10 and 14 days, the OBS DUR can be coded as A12 d@ with a remark that it is 

from the graph: OTIME/from graph// 

Effect 

Ecotoxicology is the study of the Atoxic effects of natural or artificial substances on living organisms 

(e.g. fish, birds, plants) ...@ The effects may manifest at various levels of organization from subcellular through individual organisms to communities and ecosystems. Effects may be both positive 

and adverse; toxicology focuses on the adverse effects. Adverse effects include short-term and longterm lethality and sub-lethal effects such as changes in behavior, growth, development, reproduction, 

uptake and elimination, and tissue structure. (Rand 1995) 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 32 

In TERRETOX, effect groups include accumulation, behavior, biochemistry, cellular, growth, mortality, 

physiology, population, reproduction and ecosystem (see Appendix R for definitions). Within each 

effect group, the observed effect must be quantified in a reproducible way (e.g. visual rating or 

scoring). In TERRETOX, two mechanisms are used to represent the observed effect: measurements 

and endpoints. Measurements include quantitative observations that describe and evaluate biological 

responses to toxicants, while endpoints are based on calculations derived from statistical analysis of 

the observations. Therefore, while measurements are direct biological observations, endpoints 

provide a statistical comparison of responses to toxicants. Coding criteria for each of these 

mechanisms is described below, directly following the General Notes section. The >General Notes=

section provides guidelines for extracting effect/ measurement data from the publication. 

Effect Measurement (MEASMENT)

Generally, Ameasures@ or Ameasurements@ are variables used to aid in the interpretation of the degree 

of response to a toxicant by an organism. For example, measures of behavioral effects in 

TERRETOX include general behavioral changes (BEH GBHV), changes in feeding activity (FDB 

FDNG), and stimulus avoidance (AVO STIM). Appendix S lists the measurements currently used for 

each of the effects in the TERRETOX database. If more than one organism is measured in either an 

artificial (pot, cage, aquaria, etc.) or natural population (field, water body, etc.),reviewing staff will 

code the effect and measurement as POP BMAS (population biomass). For instances where there is 

an individual biomass (one organism, artificial or natural), reviewing staff will code GRO BMAS 

(growth biomass). 

Endpoint/Result Set (R)/ Stat/Level/Assigned (PR) (ENDPT/STAT/Level/P or R)

Endpoint (ENDPT)

An endpoint is a value derived from statistical analysis or calculation of a specific measurement, or 

series of measurements, made during the test. Endpoints may be classified as measurement 

endpoints or assessment endpoints. Assessment endpoints refer to environmental parameters such 

as population, community or ecosystem measurements, e.g., growth rates or sustainable yields. 

Measurement endpoints refer to specific variables that are used to evaluate the assessment 

endpoints, such as diversity or evenness. (Hoffman et.al. 1995; US EPA 1996)

The ECOTOX databases utilize assessment and measurement endpoints which quantitatively 

represent the response(s) of a given individual, population, or community to the effects of a toxic 

agent. Appendix T lists and defines endpoints used in TERRETOX. For each endpoint, effect and 

measurement must also be coded. Refer to Table 6, Results Information, for coding examples. 

For some endpoints, linkage to an exposure dose, and therefore an Exposure Dose Number, is 

especially important. These endpoints include BAFs or time associated endpoints such as LTxx and 

ETxx and TKNO. However, endpoints that are not linked to a specific concentration, e.g., LDxx, are 

not associated with an exposure number because the observed result is based on a calculated rather 

than an observed dose. These endpoints are linked with a placeholding Dose ID and Dose Number. 

The linkage is noted by E in the DOSE ID data field and the associated DOSE NO. in the 

EXPOSURE information. Refer to Table 5, Results Information, for coding examples. 

In contrast, NOEC/NOELs and LOEC/LOELs are the endpoints used to represent a statistically 

significant range within the tested concentrations. The NOEC/NOEL is the highest tested 

concentration having no statistically significant adverse effect and the LOEC/LOEL is the lowest 

tested concentration having a statistically significant adverse effect. (Rand 1995) NOEC/NOELs and 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 33 

LOEC/LOELs are also linked by the place holding exposure number, as indicated in the previous 

paragraph. 

Note: Positive/beneficial effects (e.g. increase in growth over control, decrease in injury over control, 

increase in abundance over control) that are statistically significant are coded as NOEL/NOECs. A 

remark in the comments field should state that the effect was a statistically significant increase or 

decrease over control, which ever is applicable. 

For endpoints of ETXX or LTXX, code both the observation duration and the observed response 

value with the same values. 

On occasion, authors will report LD50 information in the methods section of their publication, without 

reporting any accompanying test procedure information. These test results are coded if enough 

information is provided by the authors to verify that the value(s) were not published elsewhere, and 

that the study meets all five minimal criteria for acceptance. The term "Methods LD50" is coded in 

the EE REMARK. 

Companion Endpoint(s) (COMPEP)

If the endpoint that is being coded has a Acompanion endpoint(s)@ record that is also being coded, 

group the records by coding a numeric value in the following format: COMPEP/number//. For each 

group of companion endpoints within a test use the same number. Unique companion endpoint 

groups are defined by the same effect, measurement, response site and duration. For example: 

Example 1: The NOEC, LOEC and MATCs are reported for Growth - Length, Growth - Weight and Mortality - 

Mortality, the Growth Length endpoints are companion endpoints group 1, the Growth Weight are companion 

endpoints group 2 and the Mortality Endpoints are companion endpoints group 3. The data is coded as: 

Endpoint: NOEC Effect: GRO Measurement: LGTH COMPEP/1// 

Endpoint: LOEC Effect: GRO Measurement: LGTH COMPEP/1// 

Endpoint: MATC Effect: GRO Measurement: LGTH COMPEP/1// 

Endpoint: NOEC Effect: GRO Measurement: WGHT COMPEP/2// 

Endpoint: LOEC Effect: GRO Measurement: WGHT COMPEP/2// 

Endpoint: MATC Effect: GRO Measurement: WGHT COMPEP/2// 

Endpoint: NOEC Effect: MOR Measurement: MORT COMPEP/3// 

Endpoint: LOEC Effect: MOR Measurement: MORT COMPEP/3// 

Endpoint: MATC Effect: MOR Measurement: MORT COMPEP/3// 

If an endpoint does not have a companion endpoint code NR. 

The numbering of companion endpoints starts from 1 again when a new TID is used. For example: 

Endrin (TID 1) 

Endpoint: NOEC Effect: GRO Measurement: LGTH COMPEP/1// 

Endpoint: LOEC Effect: GRO Measurement: LGTH COMPEP/1// 

Endpoint: MATC Effect: GRO Measurement: LGTH COMPEP/1// 

Heptachlor: (TID 2) 

Endpoint: NOEC Effect: GRO Measurement: WGHT COMPEP/1// 

Endpoint: LOEC Effect: GRO Measurement: WGHT COMPEP/1// 

Endpoint: MATC Effect: GRO Measurement: WGHT COMPEP/1// 

Methoxychlor (TID 3) 

Endpoint: NOEC Effect: MOR Measurement: MORT COMPEP/1// 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 34 

Endpoint: LOEC Effect: MOR Measurement: MORT COMPEP/1// 

Endpoint: MATC Effect: MOR Measurement: MORT COMPEP/1// 

Result Set (R)

This field is used to link effects and endpoints together for data output display. The default entry for 

this field is -1. Enter positive integers for each specific effect/endpoint linkage. For example, a 

mortality data table and an LD50 as well as a body weight growth table and an EC50 are reported. 

Code all of the mortality data table and the LD50 with a '1' in the R data field and code '2' in the R 

data field for the growth and EC50 data. If there are endpoints without data or vice versa, code '-1' in 

the R data field. See Table 6, for examples. 

Significance (STAT)

The significance or STAT data field is coded with SIG or NOSIG if the author has presented statistical 

analysis of the test result as compared to the controls. As a general rule, if statistics are presented in 

the publication, assume that the exposure treatments were compared to the control. Statistical tests 

that measure differences between treatments are not coded. See Tables 7 and 8 for coding 

examples. 

When statistical comparisons are presented for multiple controls (e.g., statistics in relation to a 

standard and solvent control), both sets of results are coded. In these instances, note the specific 

type of control used in the statistical analysis in the Remarks section. 

The STAT data field is coded as "NR" for records having an endpoint of LCxx, ECxx, LTxx, BAF, 

ETxx, ICxx, LDxx. For NOEC/NOEL, LOEC/LOEL and statistically analyzed effects results without 

endpoints, code the significance as reported by the author(s), or 'NR' if statistical results are not 

presented in the publication. 

If the author states that there is a 'statistically significant' increase or decrease in an observed effect 

(whether or not they report the statistical method used) but does not report a level of statistical 

significance level or identify a method of statistical analysis, code 'SIG' or 'NOSIG' and 'NR' in LEVEL 

field. If the author states there is a significant increase or decrease in an observed effect but does not 

say it is "statistically significant," code 'NR' in the STAT data field. 

Note: For concurrent control results, there is no STAT or LEVEL defined. Statistical significance is compared to the control 

values. 

Note: Coding statistics from least square differences (LSD). 

If a paper presents data in the following format, determine the statistical significance by the following calculation. 

Dose Response

Control 1 2.4 

Dose 2 4.6 

Dose 3 4.8 

Dose 4 6.7 

LSD(0.05) 1.1 

Subtract or add the LSD value (1.1) to the control value to get the lowest value that is significantly different. In this 

example, anything above 3.5 or below 1.3 is a significant value at the p=0.05 level. Therefore, all doses are significantly 

different from the control because they are all greater than 3.5 (Pers. Comm., R. Regal, UMD Statistics Dept., 1999). 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 35 

Level 

The level of significance (e.g. test statistic) is coded when the author has reported statistical analysis 

in the test result. Terminology for significance level may be presented as: p =; p< or alpha value; χ

2

. 

The terminology is equivalent and is generally in the range of 0.001 to 0.10. See Tables 7 & 8 for 

coding examples.

The LEVEL field is coded as "NA" for records having an endpoint of MATC, LCxx, ECxx, LTxx, BCF, 

ETxx, ICxx, LDxx, LETC, BCFD, NR-LETH, and NR-ZERO. However, when the confidence level is 

other than 95%, the level is coded as reported. 

. 

If an author reports two levels of statistical significance (e.g. 0.05 and 0.01, 5% and 1%) for the same 

data point and the significance is different at the levels, the level at which the data is first statistically 

significant is coded. For example: 

Premature Molting for 15 days is analyzed at 5% and 1% 

Concentration 

(ng/larva) 

% premature molting 5% , 1% * Code 

Control 0 d , C 

1 15.38 c, C 

30 66.67 b, B 

60 92.59 a, AB 

100 90.00 a, AB 

200 96.67 a, A 

LOEL at 5% 

significance at 1 

ng/larva 

* Same characters in a column indicate no significant difference 

 If an author reports two levels of statistical significance (e.g. 0.05 and 0.01, 5% and 1%) for the same 

data point and the significance is the same at both levels, the most sensitive level (e.g. 0.01) at 

which the data is first statistically significant is coded. For example: 

Mortality for 9 days is analyzed at p=0.05 and p=0.01 

Concentration 

(ng/larva) 

% Mortality P=0.05 , p=0.01 * Code 

Control 6.3 b , B 

25 6.4 b, B 

50 24.6 a, A 

100 20.2 a, A 

150 32.2 a, A 

NOEL at p=0.01 

at 25 ng/larva, 

LOEL at p=0.01 

at 50 ng/larva 

* Same characters in a column indicate no significant difference 

If an author reports p values but the level at which the data are considered significant is not reported by the author, use the

conservative significance level of P<=0.05 as a benchmark. The ENDPOINT ASSIGNED is coded as R and a remark of 

“SIG ASSIGNED” is made on SIGNIFICANCE. 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 36 

Example: The paper reports gene expression of 9 genes at one concentration and gives p values but does not report the 

level that is considered significant. Using a benchmark level of significance of p<=0.05 the following endpoints are coded: 

mRNA Name 

 

 P VALUE ENDPOINT 

ASSIGNED 

ENDPOINT SIGNIF REMARKS 

BHMT 0.57 R NOEL ANOSIG/ SIGNIF/SIG ASSIGNED// 

ETIF 0.04 R LOEL ASIG/ SIGNIF/SIG ASSIGNED//

UCE 0.01 R LOEL ASIG/ SIGNIF/SIG ASSIGNED//

Tubulin 0.21 R NOEL ANOSIG/ SIGNIF/SIG ASSIGNED//

Trypsin 0.07 R NOEL ANOSIG/ SIGNIF/SIG ASSIGNED//

UBI 0.14 R NOEL ANOSIG/ SIGNIF/SIG ASSIGNED//

SAMS 0.32 R NOEL ANOSIG/ SIGNIF/SIG ASSIGNED//

Hcy a 0.72 R NOEL ANOSIG/ SIGNIF/SIG ASSIGNED//

Hcy b 0.31 R NOEL ANOSIG/ SIGNIF/SIG ASSIGNED//

Paper/Reviewer Assigned Data (P or R)

The PR data field is used to identify the source of the effect or endpoint information. If the effect or 

endpoint was reported by the author in the publication a 'P' is coded in the PR data field; if the effect 

or endpoint was assigned by the reviewer, an 'R' is coded. See Tables 7 & 8 for coding examples.

Endpoints calculated by the author must be specifically identified, i.e., LD50, LT50 or NOEL/NOEC 

(see Appendix T for endpoint codes and definitions). 

Reviewers will follow these guidelines in assigning endpoints: 

1. BY DEFINITION: If the author does not actually state that the value is an LD50 but states that Aconcentration x is the dose 

estimated to be lethal to 50% of the test organisms@, the reviewer should code this as an LD50 endpoint because the 

author defines the LD50. Such a designation is accompanied by noting >R= in the PR data field. 

2. When the author provides text which identifies a value as the Ahighest tested concentration having no statistically 

significant adverse effect@, the reviewer should code this as a NOEL/NOEC ; the Alowest tested concentration having a 

statistically significant adverse effect@ is coded as a LOEL/LOEC . In both cases, the PR field will be coded as 'R' to reflect 

reviewer assignment of an endpoint. Because LOEL/NOEL values are assigned under very specific experimental and 

statistical conditions, TERRETOX reviewers will be assigning complementary NOELs or LOELs only when the author 

assigns either a LOEL or NOEL.

3. When the author provides statistical information, which designates concentrations as significantly different from the 

control, the reviewer will code this information as SIG or NOSIG. The reviewer will also report the level of significance in 

the LEVEL data p-value in the p-value field. 

4. If the author presents biologically significant data which does not include statistical analysis because all of the animals

died, the reviewer should not interpret this data as a non-monotonical response. Code the appropriate biologically 

significant endpoints as NOEC/LOEC values. For example: 

Example 1

WHOLE BODY GROWTH 

CONTROL 139 G 

10 UG/ML 138 G 

20 UG/ML 136 G 

30 UG/ML 100 G* 

40 UG/ML 95 G* 

50 UG/ML ALL DEAD 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 37 

* = SIGNIFICANT AT 0.05 

CODE: EFFECT: GRO (GROWTH) ENDPOINTS: NOEC @ 20 UG/ML 

 MEASURE: WGHT (WEIGHT) LOEC @ 30 UG/ML 

Example 2

% DEFORMITY 

CONTROL 0% 

10 UG/ML 0% 

20 UG/ML 0% 

30 UG/ML 0% 

40 UG/ML 100% 

50 UG/ML ALL DEAD 

CODE: EFFECT: DVP (DEVELOPMENT) ENDPOINTS: NOEC @ 30 UG/ML 

 MEASURE: DFRM (DEFORMATION) LOEC @ 40 UG/ML 

Table 7. Coding Statistical and Endpoint Data Directly from a Table. 

AThe data from our experiments is shown in the following table.@

# Conc ug/g Survival % Stat sig p<0.05 Calc Endpt 

C1 0 97 NR NR 

D2 7 97 NOSIG NR 

D3 15 75 NOSIG NOEL 

D4 30 26 SIG LOEL 

D5 50 0 SIG NR 

In this example, the raw data table is coded as follows (only for TRV/EcoSSL data as dose response, otherwise only the 

NOEL/LOEL data is encoded): 

DOSE EFFECT MEASMENT ENDPT R STAT LEVEL P R

C1 MOR SURV NR 1 NR NR P 

D2 MOR SURV NR 1 NOSIG p<0.05 P 

D3 MOR SURV NR 1 NOSIG p<0.05 P 

D4 MOR SURV NR 1 SIG p<0.05 P 

D5 MOR SURV NR 1 SIG p<0.05 P 

E6 MOR SURV NOEL 1 NOSIG p<0.05 P 

E6 MOR SURV LOEL 1 SIG p<0.05 P 

Table 8 . Coding Statistical Data Directly from a Table with a Reviewer Assigned Endpoint. 

AThe data from our experiments, in Table Z, shows that the concentration that had no observable effect on mortality 

was 7 ug/g.@

Table Z: Mortality of Eisenia fetida to copper
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 38 

# Conc ug/g Survival % 

C1 0 97 

D2 7 97 

D3 15 75 

D4 30 26

D5 50 0

In this example, the table is coded as follows (only for TRV/EcoSSL data as dose response, otherwise only the 

NOEL/LOEL data is encoded: 

DOSE EFFECT MEASMENT ENDPT R STAT LEVEL P R 

C1 MOR SURV NR 1 NR NR P 

D2 MOR SURV NR 1 NR NR P 

D3 MOR SURV NR 1 NR NR P 

D4 MOR SURV NR 1 NR NR P 

D5 MOR SURV NR 1 NR NR P 

E6 MOR SURV NOEL 1 NOSIG NR R 

E6 MOR SURV LOEL 1 SIG NR R 

Standard methods recommend that when determining a NOEL/LOEL, at least three exposure concentrations be used 

(Menzer 1994 at 1406);. If the author uses only one exposure concentration AND assigns a NOEL/LOEL or SIG/NOSIG 

result, a Remark noting Aonly conc tested@ will be coded. 

Trend (TREND)

The observed or measured response trend as compared to the control is coded when reported or 

graphically displayed. Report the trend as a remark in the format TREND/code//. 

When assigning a trend to a record, it should reflect the measurement which may or may not reflect 

the effect. For example, when authors report a decrease in survival; the effect is reported as MOR, 

and the trend is associated with the measurement; i.e., decrease in survival. 

Example: EFCT: MOR TREND: Dec MEASURE: SURV

The trend for BCF, LCxx, LTxx is coded as "inc". The trend for ECxx, NOEC, LOEC , and MATC will 

be either "inc", "dec", Achg@ or NR depending on the results of the test. In instances when a trend is 

non-monotonical code Achg@. The trend is noted as a two or three letter code: 

CODE: TREND: 

INC increase 

DEC decrease 

NEF no observed effect; e.g., when coding NR-ZERO the trend is NEF 

CHG no clear trend, results are variable (e.g. any combination of above trends listed) 

NR no trend reported or if no control response is reported then the trend is not able to be identified

Example: When a clear response, or lack thereof, is observed within an effect, it is coded as either INC, DEC, or 

NEF. The measurement used to evaluate the effect is reported in the MEASURE field, for example:

EFCT: GRO TREND: INC MEASURE: LGTH 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 39 

When measurements do not report quantifiable data, data are combined into one record. If these 

data report multiple trends, code CHG in the TREND field and report the individual trends in 

RESULT_REMARK field as in the following example: 

Example: EFCT: HIS TREND: CHG MEASURE: GHIS MSMT/EDMA,DISO,EHYP// 

Effect % (EFCT %)

The EFCT% is coded when the effect is reported as a percent change, e.g. percent of the total 

population or percent increase or decrease. 

If the author reports the number dead (i.e., A5 of 20") do not recalculate as a percent. 

Example 1: A80% mortality@ EFCT: MOR TREND: INC EFCT %: 80 MEASURE: MORT 

Example 2: A25% survival@ EFCT: MOR TREND: DEC EFCT%: 25 MEASURE: SURV 

Example 3: A5 of 20 died@ EFCT: MOR TREND: INC EFCT%: NR MEASURE: MORT 

Example 4: A45% inc EFCT: ENZ TREND: INC EFCT%: 45 Measure: ATPA 

 ATPase activity@

If the percent effect is coded from a graph, code the percent values using a qualifier, ie. <, >, or ~, 

using only the graphical intervals reported on the graph. Place a slash in the field and code EFCT%/ 

from graph// in the RESULT REMARK field. If the percent effect is graphed and is not clear enough to 

extrapolate, code Agraphed@ in EFCT % field. If the effect percent is not reported, the field is coded as 

NR. 

If the percent effect is presented as Axx% of the control@, place a "/" in the EFCT % field and code: 

EFCT %/xx% of control// in the REMARK field. 

Example: GRO WGHT Dec 20-30% of the control 

EFCT: GRO MEASURE: WGHT EFCT%: / TREND: DEC Remarks: Efct%/20-30% of control// 

For NR-ZERO and NR-LETH endpoints, the EFCT % field should be coded as 0% and 100%, MORT 

respectively. 

When no stats and effect % are presented at the highest concentration, the concentrations should be 

ranged and the EFCT % should be presented as < the effect % from the paper. 

Combining Effect Percent

When data for an effect are combined because a statistical analysis was not applied and/or a clear 

dose response was not observed, and several percent effect values are presented, there are two 

different ways to report data. 

If the author reports the effect measurement on a single parameter, the effect percent is reported as a 

range. 

Example 1: 30-75% mortality EFCT: MOR MEASURE: MOR TREND: INC

EFCT%: 30-75

Example 2: 20-30% dec O2 consumption EFCT : PHY MEASURE: OXYG TREND: DEC

 EFCT%: 20-30 

Response Site (SITE)

The specific site at which an effect measurement was observed is coded in the SITE data field, e.g. 

for residues (RSDE) recorded in the Aliver,@ enter 'LI' in the SITE data field (see Appendix U for 

applicable codes). Response site is valid entry for GRO, AEG, CEL, PHY, DVP, GEN, REP, HIS, 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 40 

ENZ, BCM, HRM, INJ, MPH and ACC effect groups (see Appendix S for effect group and 

measurement codes). If a response site is not reported or not applicable, e.g. mortality, behavioral 

effects, code the site as Not Reported (NR). 

If data are presented without statistical analysis in a graph or figure, results for each measurement 

are combined by response site. 

Observed Response Value/Unit: 

Mean, Range, Statistical Method (SM), Value, Unit (Mean, Range, SM, Value, Unit)

Enter the greater than (>), less than (<), minus (-) or approximation (~)symbols, if reported, as used 

by the author(s) to describe the response value preceding the MEAN or RANGE data field entries. 

Report the mean or single observed response value, as reported in the publication, in the MEAN data 

field. When individual response values are reported along with a sum of all values, report each 

individual response value as well as the sum/total value on separate result lines. 

Report the range or confidence (or fiducial) intervals (or limits) which are defined as CL (confidence 

limit), CI (confidence interval), FI (fiducial interval), or FL (fiducial limit) of the response value in the 

RANGE data field. The type of data stored in the RANGE data field will be identified in the SM data 

field (e.g., Data reported as a range (with a mean) or confidence interval (with an endpoint) will be 

specifically identified in the SM field. It is also assumed that the confidence interval is calculated at 

95% and is noted in the LEVEL data field. 

When the measurement unit includes a standard deviation (SD) or standard error (SE), specifically 

identify these types of ranges in the SM data field. Report the numeric value of the standard deviation 

or standard error in the VALUE data field. 

Report the measurement unit which corresponds to the MEAN and/or RANGE entry in the UNIT data 

field (see Appendix N for standard units). 

Refer to Table 6 in Results Information for coded examples. Table 6a. provides a standard deviation 

example, Table 6b. provides an example of a range, and Table 6c. provides a confidence interval 

example. 

Occasionally an author will report a concentration as a % or fraction of an LD50 value; e.g., either the 

sublethal concentration used was 10% of the 96-h LD50" or 1/10, 1/15 and 1/20 of the LD50". Such 

concentrations may be recalculated and used as the effect concentration if the original LD50 

concentration is provided in the publication. Flag the recalculation in the paper so that the calculation 

may be QAd and document the recalculation in the margin or on a blank page of the publication. Put 

a slash next to the concentration value and note in the remarks area: RVALUE/Recalculated//. 

Weight at time of result (WTAT)

The body weight of the organism at the time of the observed effect response is reported. If multiple 

body weights are given throughout the test, report the weight at the time the response is reported. If a 

range of weight is given for the organisms, report the range of weights. Report the treatment group 

weight, if weights are given for both a treatment group and a control group. The data is coded as 

follows: WTAT/mean(min-max) unit//. 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 41 

Intake Rate (INTAKE)

Report the intake rate of the exposure media (not the contaminant) at the time of the result (or closest 

rate to that time) for diet studies (through food or drinking water) as reported by the author in the 

following format: INTAKE/value unit//. 

Steady State (STST)

Record whether the residue/bioconcentration/bioaccumulation data at the time of the result is at 

steady state or equilibrium using the following format: STST/YES// or STST/NO//. 

If the author does not report in the text that the data is at steady state or equilibrium but represents 

the data graphically, this information can be determined by the graphed data. If the residue or BCF 

data is presented in a graph and the data points flatten out and continue to flatten during the 

exposure phase, the point at which it flattens out is the steady state or equilibrium point. For Example: 

 

BCF values

12 h 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

60 

70 

80 

90 

100 

24 h 48 h 72 h 96 h 120 h

10 ug/l 

The steady state or equilibrium is reached at 48 hours. STST is coded as YES for the BCF values at 

48, 72, 96 and 120 hours. 

If the author does not report this information code: STST/NR//. 

Dry or Wet Weight (DW%) 

Record whether the residue/bioconcentration/bioaccumulation or growth data are reported on a dry or 

wet weight basis in the DW% data field. If percent moisture is reported, record the percentage value 

also, e.g. W75%. 

Percent Lipid (%LPD)

If percent lipid information is provided in the publication, record as a % value in the %LPD data field. 

If the data are not reported in the publication, code as 'NR'. 

Rating (RANK)

Following evaluation by EcoSSL (Ecological Soil Screening Levels) Task Group reviewers, this field 

will be marked for each test result for each publication to indicate the Evaluation Criteria Score and 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 42 

selected benchmark value ranking for determining the EcoSSL value. Prior to this, leave this data 

field blank. 

Remark Number/Remarks (RN/REMARKS)

When there are remarks for a specific test, the REMARKS field as well as the Remark Number (RN) 

field, will be used. The Remark Number field is used to link the remarks associated with each specific 

test result. Each unique Remark is assigned a Remarks Number and only one Remark Number is 

used per result entry. Use a unique Remark Number for each section of the database, i.e., do not 

carry over Remarks or Remark Numbers from the Exposure Information to the Results Information 

sections. Remarks are preceded by the Remarks Number and identified by the field abbreviation 

listed in Appendix EE. Refer to Table 6 for coding examples. 

General Coding Information 

Q. What is encoded from a publication? 

A. All quantitative data are encoded from the publication. Each data point from tables, text and graphs 

is coded. Graphical data may be coded as ranges (1 result for the control and 1 result for all of the 

doses), unless statistical analysis is performed. Graphed data is reported by using <, > or ~ values. 

These values must be the values noted by the axis marks from the graph. If duplicate results are 

reported in text and tabular format, note in the margin of the paper that the text information was 

coded from Table N. Non-quantitative data are noted in the general remarks section. 

Q. Are abstractors allowed to interpret results from publications? 

A. All information from a paper is abstracted using the author's terminology and numeric values. 

Exceptions to this include the expansion of exponential numbers and when the author's "words" 

match the standard definition effects and endpoints. If an endpoint is "interpreted" by an abstractor, it 

is noted by an 'R' in the ASSIGNED P/R data field. 

Q. How and why are comments made? 

A. In general, comments are used to better define or capture the researcher's intent. THESE ARE 

USED SPARINGLY. Comments are linked to coded fields by an identifier in the appropriate 

comments field (Organism, Exposure, Soil, General or Results information/remarks data fields). For 

example, a RESPONSE VALUE comment of median LC50 is located in Result remarks data field as 

Rvalue/median LC50//. Some comments are not linked to a specific data field (i.e. exposure 

temperature or in vitro studies). These comments are also noted in the appropriate comments field 

(i.e. exposure temperature in Exposure information and in vitro in the general remarks data fields). 

Q. Is anything written in the original paper by the data abstractors? 

A. Abstractors should note any comments about abstraction in the margins or on the tables/graphs of 

the original paper. This would include the Test ID Number for each unique test design, reason for 

data not being coded, LD50s outside of confidence intervals, errors between text and tables, or other 

anomalies. 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 43 

Q. What happens if an endpoint is outside the confidence interval/limit or text and tabular or text and 

abstract data points differ? 

A. The abstractor encodes only the endpoint value and notes that the range was not coded in the 

original publication. Textual information is used over all other data, unless the value is noted in 

another section of the paper. Then, the most frequent value is encoded. 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 44 

6. Supporting Materials 

TERRETOX References 

American Society for Testing and Materials. 1996. E 555-95 Standard Practice for Determining Acute 

Oral LD50 for Testing Vertebrate Control Agents. In: Annual Book of Standards, Section 11. Water 

and Environmental Technology, Vol. 11.05 Biological Effects and Environmental Fate; Biotechnology; 

Pesticides:109-110. [replaces E 555-75] 

American Society for Testing and Materials. 1996. E 857-87 Standard Practice for Conducting 

Subacute Dietary Toxicity Tests with Avian Species. In: Annual Book of Standards, Section 11. Water 

and Environmental Technology, Vol. 11.05 Biological Effects and Environmental Fate; Biotechnology; 

Pesticides:278-282. [replaces E 857-81] 

American Society for Testing and Materials. 1996. E 1062-86 Standard Practice for Conducting 

Reproductive Studies with Avian Species. In: Annual Book of Standards, Section 11. Water and 

Environmental Technology, Vol. 11.05 Biological Effects and Environmental Fate; Biotechnology; 

Pesticides:418-428. 

Casarett, L.J., J.Doull, C.D.Klassen, and M.O.Amdur. 1986. Casarett and Doull=s Toxicology. The 

Basic Science of Poisons. Third Edition, Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., NY [classic toxicology 

textbook] 

Hill, B.H. 1997. Aquatic plant communities for impact monitoring and assessment. Chapter Ten IN: 

W.Wang, J.W.Gorsuch, and J.S.Hughes (Eds), Plants for Environmental Studies, CRC Lewis 

Publishers: 277-305. [excellent overview] 

Hoffman, D.J. 1995. Wildlife Toxicity Testing. In: D.J.Hoffman, B.A.Rattner, G.A.Burton,Jr., and 

J.Cairns,Jr. (Eds), Handbook of Ecotoxicology. CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, FL:47-69. [good 

overview of wildlife toxicity testing methods] 

Hoffman,D.J., B.A.Rattner, G.A.Burton,Jr., and J.Cairns,Jr. (Eds) 1995. Handbook of Ecotoxicology. 

CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, FL [general reference with chapters on ecotoxicological effects, 

specific contaminant sources and effects, case histories, predictive ecotoxicology and risk 

assessment] 

Lewis, M.A. and W. Wang. 1997. Water quality and aquatic plants. Chapter Six IN: W.Wang, 

J.W.Gorsuch, and J.S.Hughes (Eds), Plants for Environmental Studies, CRC Lewis Publishers: 142-

175. [excellent overview] 

Menzer, R.E., M.A. Lewis and A.Fairbrother. 1994. Methods in Environmental Toxicology. Chapter 38 

In: W. Hayes (Ed), Principles and Methods of Toxicology, Third Edition, Raven Press, NY:1391- 

1418. [excellent overview of aquatic and terrestrial (plant and animal) methods] 

Merriam Webster (No Date). Merriam-Webster=s Collegiate Dictionary. [On-line dictionary]. Available: 

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary.htm [1999, 2000]. 

Morris, W. (Ed) (1979). The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (New College 

ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 

Parker, S.P. (Ed) (1994). McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms (5th ed.). Ney 

York: McGraw-Hill, Inc. 

Schaeffer, D.J. 1991. A Toxicological Perspective on Ecosystem Characteristics to Track Sustainable 

Development. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf. 22:225-239. [provides a general overview of toxicological and 

ecosystem endpoints] 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines 

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 45 

US Environmental Protection Agency. 1988. Guidance Document for Conducting Terrestrial Field 

Studies. EPA-540/09-88-109, Office of Pesticide Programs, Washington, DC 

US Environmental Protection Agency. 1986. Hazard Evaluation Division, Standard Evaluation 

Procedure, Avian Reproduction Test. EPA-540/9-86-139, Office of Pesticide Programs, Washington, 

DC [general info, no specific requirements provided] 

US Environmental Protection Agency. 1986. Hazard Evaluation Division, Standard Evaluation 

Procedure, Field Testing for Pollinators. EPA-540/9-86-140, Office of Pesticides Programs, 

Washington, DC

US Environmental Protection Agency. 1985. Hazard Evaluation Division, Standard Evaluation 

Procedure, Honey Bee - Acute Contact LD50. EPA-540/9-85-002, Office of Pesticides Programs, 

Washington, DC

US Environmental Protection Agency. 1985. Hazard Evaluation Division, Standard Evaluation 

Procedure, Honey Bee - Toxicity of Residues on Foliage. EPA-540/9-85-003, Office of Pesticides 

Programs, Washington, DC

US Environmental Protection Agency. 1985. Hazard Evaluation Division, Standard Evaluation 

Procedure, Wild Mammal Toxicity Test. EPA-540/9-85-004, Office of Pesticide Programs, 

Washington, DC

US Environmental Protection Agency. 1985. Hazard Evaluation Division, Standard Evaluation 

Procedure, Avian Single-Dose Oral LD50. EPA-540/9-85-007, Office of Pesticide Programs, 

Washington, DC 

US Environmental Protection Agency. 1985. Hazard Evaluation Division, Standard Evaluation 

Procedure, Avian Dietary LC50 Test. EPA-540/9-85-008, Office of Pesticide Programs, Washington, 

DC 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2009. MED Ecotoxicology Database Standard Operating 

Procedures (prepared by Computer Sciences Corporation), Mid-Continent Ecology Division, Duluth, 

MN 

US Environmental Protection Agency. 1982. Pesticide Assessment Guidelines Subdivision L Hazard 

Evaluation: Nontarget Insects. EPA-540/9-82-019, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, 

Washington, DC

US Environmental Protection Agency. 1982. Pesticide Assessment Guidelines Subdivision E, Hazard 

Evaluation: Wildlife and Aquatic Organisms. EPA-540/9-82-024, Office of Pesticide Programs, 

Washington, DC [overview of EPA standard methods for terrestrial and aquatic, laboratory and field, 

pesticide exposures] 

US Environmental Protection Agency. 1996. Proposed Guidelines for Ecological Risk Assessment, 

Risk Assessment Forum, EPA/630/R-95/002B, US EPA, Washington, DC [on order from US EPA 

7/97) 

Wang,W., J.W.Gorsuch, and J.S.Hughes (Eds). 1997. Plants for Environmental Studies, CRC Lewis 

Publishers:563 pp. [excellent overview] 

W.B. Saunders Company (1994). Dorland=s Illustrated Medical Dictionary (28th ed.). Philadelphia: 

Harcourt Brace & Company.
TERRETOX LAB CODING SHEET (February ##, 2007) 

CHEMICAL GRADE PURITY FORMULATION CHARACTE

1. TEST 

2. Positive control/carrier3. Positive control/carrierREF #, AUTHOR, YEAR TOTAL TESTS REVIEWER 

Species Scientific/Common Name Remarks DOSE NO. DOSE ID N SEX DOSE 

SPECIES NUMBER ORGANISM INFO 

ORGANISM SOURCE

LIFESTAGE/AGE

ORG CHARACTERISTICS

TEST LOCATION EXPOSURE INFO 

EXPOSURE TYPE

CONTROL TYPE

NUMBER OF DOSES

APPL FREQUENCY

EXPOSURE DURATION

STUDY DURATION GENERAL REMARKS 

EXPOSURE MEDIA SOIL INFO

SOIL TYPE

SOIL TEXTURE SA_______%SI_____ %CL____________% WTINT/ 

MEDIA CEC DOSES/ 

MEDIA PH STYPE/ 

MEDIA ORGANIC MATTER HAB/ 

MEDIA MOISTURE LOC/ 

SOIL CONC MEASURED 

DRY - WET WEIGHT

MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 46 
MED Ecotoxicology Database SOPs June 2009 47 

Reference Number__

Observed Res

p

LOC 

# 

DOSE NO/ID 

SMP # UNITS 

OBSERV DUR 

EFFECT MEAS

MENT

END PNT 

R STAT LEVEL P 

R 

SITE MEAN RANGE S

TERRATOX CODING SHEET