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 55804

Contract 68-W01-032, Task Order #024

DECEMBER 2002
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines

MED ECOTOXICOLOGY DATABASE SOPS DECEMBER 2002 ii

C. TERRETOX CODING GUIDELINES ......................................... C1

1. Quality Assurance Parameters ...................................... C2

Reference Number (#), Author, Year .............................. C2

Total Tests .................................................... C2

Reviewer/Review Date ......................................... C2

QA Date/Name ................................................ C2

Test Number (TID) ............................................. C2

2. Test Chemical Parameters .......................................... C3

Test/CAS Number/Chemical Name/ .............................. C5

Chemical Grade .............................................. C5

Chemical Purity ............................................... C5

Chemical Formulation .......................................... C6

Chemical Comment ........................................... C6

Radiolabel ................................................... C6

Chemical Abstracts Services Registry Number (CAS NUMBER) ...... C6

3. Test Information .................................................... C7

A. Test Organism Information Parameters ........................ C7

Species Number/ Scientific/Common Name ....................... C7

Organism Source ............................................. C8

Organism Lifestage/Age ....................................... C8

Organism Comment (Org Characteristics) ........................ C8

B. Exposure Information Parameters ............................. C9

Test Location ................................................. C9

Exposure Type ................................................ C9

Control Type ................................................. C10

Number of Doses ............................................. C11

Application Frequency ......................................... C11

Exposure and Study Durations .................................. C11

Exposure Duration ............................................ C12

Study Duration ............................................... C12

Media Type ................................................. C13

C. Media Information Parameters ................................ C13

Soil Type .................................................... C13

Soil Texture (Sand, Silt and Clay) ................................ C13

Media pH .................................................... C13

Media Organic Matter Type and Units ............................ C14

Media Moisture .............................................. C14

Media Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) ......................... C14

Soil Concentration (CONC) Measured / Dry-Wet Weight ........... C15

Soil Concentration (CONC) Basis of Measurement: Dry/Wet Weight . C15
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MED ECOTOXICOLOGY DATABASE SOPS DECEMBER 2002 iii

Media Comment ............................................. C15

 

4. Exposure Information ............................................. C15

Dose ID and Dose Number (No.) ................................ C16

Sample Number (N) .......................................... C17

Gender (Sex) ................................................ C17

Dose ....................................................... C18

Dose Statistical Method (SM) ................................... C18

Dose Value .................................................. C19

Dose Unit ................................................... C19

Ionic Fraction ................................................ C19

Chemical Analysis Method (M/U) ................................ C19

Remark Number/Remarks (RN) ................................ C19

General Comment ............................................ C20

5. Results Information ............................................... C20

Dose ID & Dose No .......................................... C20

Sample Number (SMP#) and / Units ............................. C20

Observation Time Duration (OBSRV DUR) ....................... C21

Effect ....................................................... C23

Effect Measurement (MEASMENT) .............................. C25

Endpoint/Result Set (R)/ Stat/Level/Assigned (PR) (ENDPT/STAT/Level/P

or R) .................................................. C25

Endpoint (ENDPT) ............................................ C25

Result Set (R) ................................................ C26

Significance (STAT) ........................................... C26

Level ....................................................... C27

Paper/Reviewer Assigned Data (P or R) ......................... C28

Response Site (SITE) ......................................... C30

Observed Response Value/Unit: , Mean, Range, Statistical Method (SM),

Value, Unit (Mean, Range, SM, Value, Unit) ................. C30

Dry or Wet Weight (DW%) ..................................... C31

Percent Lipid (%LPD) ......................................... C31

Rank (RANK) ................................................ C31

Remark Number/Remarks (RN/REMARKS) ....................... C31

General Coding Information .................................. C31

6. Supporting Materials .............................................. C33
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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. If additional data are represented qualitatively (i.e., no

numeric response values), the qualitative effects are noted in the general comments section. If the publication only

reports qualitative data, the publication will be rejected.

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 “dead 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 dessication which would result in

weight changes).

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

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

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. 
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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//

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
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water/soil chemistry effects (e.g., pH), complex effluents, and chemical mixtures. 

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

active ingredients, each may have a separate CAS number. However, if the formulation of the

two ingredients has a CAS number, the chemical reported for ECOTOX is the formulation. 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 comments.

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 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.

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.

A standardized identification number and name for each chemical is recorded in the database
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to ensure quality and consistency. Toxicants, carriers and positive control chemicals reported in

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. 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.

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 “Carrier” or “Positive 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). 
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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).

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 “labeled 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 “labeled 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 Ninth Collective Index (CI) standard nomenclature. The CAS number
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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.

“earthworms” would be classified as “Oligochaeta,” “weedy plant species” would be classified

as “Magnoliophyta.”). 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
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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.

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. 

Organism Comment (Org Characteristics) 

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

information such as specific strain name, cultivar, variety, weight, 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.

Table 3. Test Information Coding Sheet Example
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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 between FieldA and FieldN, then use the code FieldU
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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,

inhalation, 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 toxicant inhalation 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 ‘IH’// or TYPE/’PR’ and ‘FS’//) would be noted in the Exposure Info

comments section.

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. 

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. 

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
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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. 

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.
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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 “until hatch”,

“growing season” or “after 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. 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
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to time such as “observed 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. 

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.

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 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, eg., forest soil, sandy loam soil, arboreal coniferous soil.

Soil Texture (Sand, Silt and Clay)
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MED ECOTOXICOLOGY DATABASE SOPS DECEMBER 2002 C14

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.

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 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/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
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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 
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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.

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. 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).

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
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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. “x 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 “ “ “ - - “ - “ NR

3

V “ “ 1 - - ug/l - M NR

4 D “ “ 3 SE 0.01 ppm Cu “ 2

5

D “ “ “ “ 0.15 “ “ “ “

6 D “ “ 9 “ 0.02 “ “ “ “

7

D “ “ “ “ 0.15 “ “ “ “

8 E NR “ NR NR NR NR “ “ NR

GENERAL REMARKS

1. CNTRL/Control for first generation only//

2. DOSE/Conc reported as flower residues//

DATA CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE
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MED ECOTOXICOLOGY DATABASE SOPS DECEMBER 2002 C18

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 (ML), female (FM) or both (BH)) 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 BH in Exposure Information, with

individual results reported for ML and FM in Results Information. 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

ummeasured/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.

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

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).

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)
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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 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.

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.
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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.

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)
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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 “until hatch”,

“growing season” or “after 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 “observed 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. 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'.
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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 “ ” “ ACC RSDE “ -1 " “ “ WO 1245 ug/g W

25

42 - 2

3V “ ” “ MOR MDTH “ -1 " “ “ NR 15.8 SD 5.9 d NR N

R

- 1
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines

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

MED ECOTOXICOLOGY DATABASE SOPS DECEMBER 2002 C24

4D “ ” “ “ “ “ -1 " “ “ “ 12.8 SD 7.6 d “ “ - 1

5D “ ” “ “ “ “ -1 " “ “ “ 15.6 SD 5.5 d “ “ - 1

5D “ ” “ ACC RSDE “ -1 " “ “ WO 1459 ug/g W

33

44 - 2

6D “ ” “ MOR MDTH “ -1 " “ “ 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 “ “ “ “ “ -1 " “ “ “ 983 (825-1012) eg/d “ “ - N

R

3V “” “ “ “ “ -1 " “ “ “ 259 (243-272) eg/d “ “ - N

R

4D “ “ “ “ “ -1 SI

G

<

.

0

5

P “ 246 (232-257) eg/d “ “ - N

R

5D “ “ “ “ “ -1 " “ “ “ 255 (242-267) eg/d “ “ - 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

Effect

Ecotoxicology is the study of the “toxic effects of natural or artificial substances on living

organisms (e.g. fish, birds, plants) ...” The effects may manifest at various levels of organization

from sub-cellular 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 long-term lethality and sub-lethal effects such as changes in behavior, growth,

development, reproduction, uptake and elimination, and tissue structure. (Rand 1995)

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. In
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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.

General Notes:

1. 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. In this case, code all the data (remark on

data points taken from the graph, and note mean LC50 or Median LC50 in the comments).

2. When data for the effect are reported only in graphical format, interpret the data as accurately as possible. Data

points derived from a graph are typically 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 estimate values. Remark that the response value data were

obtained from a graph. 

Data from graphs are combined into a single test record unless data points are statistically analyzed data points or

calculated endpoints. Statistically analyzed data points and calculated endpoints are always coded separately.

Exposure number in ranged results information would be coded as #1 - #L (where #1 is the first and #L is the last

number of the doses in the range). A separate line should always be coded for the control.

3. Data may be reported for an individual species as well as for a community or population. Generally, report the

measurements and endpoints as reported by the author.

Effect Measurement (MEASMENT)

Generally, “measures” or “measurements” 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
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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 LOEC/LOELs are also linked by the place holding exposure number, as indicated in the
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previous paragraph.

For endpoints of ETXX or LTXX, code both the observation duration and the observed response

value with the same values.

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.
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines

MED ECOTOXICOLOGY DATABASE SOPS DECEMBER 2002 C28

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).

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; P

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 data field is coded as reported by the author. If endpoints of LCxx, ECxx, LTxx, BAF,

ETxx, ICxx, Ldxx report confidence intervals/limits, etc., report the significance level in the LEVEL

field, e.g., 95% CI is coded as 0.05.

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
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines

MED ECOTOXICOLOGY DATABASE SOPS DECEMBER 2002 C29

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 “concentration 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 “highest tested concentration having no

statistically significant adverse effect”, the reviewer should code this as a NOEL/NOEC ; the “lowest 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.

Table 7. Coding Statistical and Endpoint Data Directly from a Table.

“The 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:
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines

MED ECOTOXICOLOGY DATABASE SOPS DECEMBER 2002 C30

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.

“The data from our experiments, in Table Z, shows that the concentration that had no observable effect on mortality

was 7 ug/g.”

TableZ: Mortality of Eisenia fetida to copper

# 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:

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 “only conc tested” will be coded. 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines

MED ECOTOXICOLOGY DATABASE SOPS DECEMBER 2002 C31

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 “liver,” 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, 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) 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.
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines

MED ECOTOXICOLOGY DATABASE SOPS DECEMBER 2002 C32

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'.

Rank (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 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?
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines

MED ECOTOXICOLOGY DATABASE SOPS DECEMBER 2002 C33

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.

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 DECEMBER 2002 C34

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] 
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines

MED ECOTOXICOLOGY DATABASE SOPS DECEMBER 2002 C35

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]

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
TERRETOX Coding Guidelines

MED ECOTOXICOLOGY DATABASE SOPS DECEMBER 2002 C36

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

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 Mediacl Dictionary (28th ed.).

Philadelphia: Harcourt Brace & Company.
--- CONTINUED ON BACK C37 ---

TERRETOX CODING SHEET (FEBRUARY 14, 1999) TID 

CHEMICAL GRADE PURITY FORMULATION CHARACTERISTICS RADIO LABEL CAS NUMBER 

1. TEST | | | | | | 

2. POSITIVE CONTROL/CARRIER | | | | | | 

3. POSITIVE CONTROL/CARRIER | | | | | | 

REFERENCE #, AUTHOR, YEAR TOTAL TESTS Reviewer Review Date / / QA DATE / / INITIALS 

TEST INFORMATION EXPOSURE INFORMATION

SPECIES LATIN/COMMON NAME 

REMARKS DOS

E

DOS

E ID

N SEX DOSE SM VALUE UNIT ION M/U RN

SPECIES NUMBER SPECIES INFO

ORGANISM SOURCE

LIFESTAGE / AGE

ORGANISM CHARACTERISTICS

TEST LOCATION EXPOSURE INFO

EXPOSURE TYPE

EXPOSURE DURATION

STUDY DURATION

CONTROL TYPE

DOSE NUMBER

APPLICATION FREQUENCY GENERAL REMARKS

MEDIA TYPE SOIL INFO

SOIL TYPE

SOIL TEXTURE SA % SI % CL %

MEDIA PH

MEDIA ORGANIC MATTER

MEDIA MOISTURE (%)

MEDIA CEC

SOIL CONC MEASURED (Y/N)/

 DRY - WET WEIGHT
--- CONTINUED ON BACK C38 ---

RESULTS INFORMATION REFERENCE NUMBER ________________ CAS # ___________________ TID _________

L

O

C

 #

DOSE

NO/ID

SMP

#

UNIT

S

OBSRV

DUR

EFFECT MEASURE

MENT

END

POINT

R SIG/

NSIG

LEVE

L

P

R

S

I

T

E

OBSERVEDRESPONSE VALUE/UNIT D

W

%

%

L

P

D

RAN

K

R

N

REMARKS

 MEAN RANGE SM VALUE UNITS

1

-

-

3

-

-

5

-

-

7

-

-

9

-

-

1

1 -

-

1

3

-

-

1

5 -

-