A method for assessing causation of field exposure–response relationships

Cormier, Susan M.; Suter, Glenn

doi:10.1002/etc.2056

Cited by 12 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 14 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The causal assessment process is described in a companion article [3] and involves six steps that generate and evaluate whether causation is or is not supported by the body of evidence. A key feature of the process is the weighting and weighing of evidence [3,13].…”

Section: Causal Assessment Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A key feature of the process is the weighting and weighing of evidence [3,13]. The evidence is weighted using a system of plus (þ) for supporting conductivity as a cause, minus (À) for weakening, and zero (0) for no effect.…”

Section: Causal Assessment Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An additional score is lodged if there is consistency among independent studies. A convincing body of evidence requires strong evidence for several characteristics of a causal relationship [3,12].…”

Section: Causal Assessment Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Also, to the extent that replacement does not occur, the total number of genera is a summary of the consequences of extirpation. The assessment is for general causation [3] of the absence of genera, not for any specific time or location.…”

Section: Assessment Endpointsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An example is the benchmark for conductivity in streams contaminated by leachates of crushed rocks [1,2]. However, because observed relationships between exposure and response are not necessarily causal, a method has been developed for assessing their causality [3]. The method uses a criterion-guided weight-of-evidence process that includes a set of characteristics of causation and a formal weighting method applied in six steps.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Assessing causation of the extirpation of stream macroinvertebrates by a mixture of ions

Cormier¹,

Suter²,

Zheng³

et al. 2012

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract-Increased ionic concentrations are associated with the impairment of benthic invertebrate assemblages. However, the causal nature of that relationship must be demonstrated so that it can be used to derive a benchmark for conductivity. The available evidence is organized in terms of six characteristics of causation: co-occurrence, preceding causation, interaction, alteration, sufficiency, and time order. The inferential approach is to weight the lines of evidence using a consistent scoring system, weigh the evidence for each causal characteristic, and then assess the body of evidence. Through this assessment, the authors found that a mixture containing the ions Ca þ , Mg þ , HCO À 3 , and SO À 4 , as measured by conductivity, is a common cause of extirpation of aquatic macroinvertebrates in Appalachia where surface coal mining is prevalent. The mixture of ions is implicated as the cause rather than any individual constituent of the mixture. The authors also expect that ionic concentrations sufficient to cause extirpations would occur with a similar salt mixture containing predominately HCO À 3 , SO 2À 4 , Ca 2þ , and Mg 2þ in other regions with naturally low conductivity. This case demonstrates the utility of the method for determining whether relationships identified in the field are causal. Environ. Toxicol.

show abstract

Section: Causal Assessment Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Causal Assessment Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Causal Assessment Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Assessment Endpointsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Assessing causation of the extirpation of stream macroinvertebrates by a mixture of ions

Cormier¹,

Suter²,

Zheng³

et al. 2012

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Relationship of land use and elevated ionic strength in Appalachian watersheds

Cormier

Wilkes

Zheng

2012

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract-Coal mining activities have been implicated as sources that increase stream specific conductance in Central Appalachia. The present study characterized potential sources of elevated ionic strength for small subwatersheds within the Coal, Upper Kanawha, Gauley, and New Rivers in West Virginia. From a large monitoring data set developed by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, 162 < 20-km 2 -watersheds were identified that had detailed land cover information in southwestern West Virginia with at least one water chemistry sample. Scatter plots of specific conductance were generated for nine land cover classifications: open water, agriculture, forest, residential, barren, total mining, valley fill, abandoned mine lands, and mining excluding valley fill and abandoned mine lands. Conductivity was negatively correlated with the percentage of forest area and positively associated with other land uses. In a multiple regression, the percentage of area in valley fill was the strongest contributor to increased ionic strength, followed by percentage of area in urban (residential/ buildings) land use and other mining land use. Based on the 10th quantile regression, 300 mS/cm was exceeded at 3.3% of area in valley fill. In most catchments, HCO À 3 and SO 2À 4 concentrations were greater than Cl À concentration. These findings confirm coal mining activities as the primary source of high conductivity waters. Such activities might be redressed with the goal of protecting sources of dilute freshwater in the region. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:296-303. # 2012 SETAC

show abstract