The book mainly introduces readers to the development and current status of water quality criteria (WQC) in China and other countries or areas, and proposes a minimum toxicity data requirement (MTDR; i.e., six species from three phyla) as the principle metric for deriving WQC in China. Further, ten model species from 4 different phyla are recommended as domestic test species, and the methodologies for deriving aquatic life criteria, sediment criteria, ecocriteria and nutrient criteria in China are also described in detail. In order to demonstrate the methods, several representative chemical pollutants and aquatic environments are highlighted as examples. The book provides important references for future WQC-related research in China, which will make it of great interest to researchers and graduate students in the fields of environmental science, ecology and aquatic science etc.

The book presents some of the findings of research into China's water quality criteria for toxic pollutants, including heavy metals, PAHs and emerging pollutant. Water quality criteria (WQC) are the scientific basis for establishing water quality standards (WQSs). For a long time, the study of WQC in China has been neglected, so that almost all of China's WQSs were developed based on foreign WQC. This book provides valuable information for environmental management and revision of WQSs. It has been written for researchers and graduate students in the field of environmental science and risk assessors for chemical and pollutants etc. Dr. Zhen-guang Yan is an Associate Professor at the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences. Dr. Zhengtao Liu is a Professor at the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences.