The objective of the Water Quality Act of 1987 is to "restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters." Monitoring strategies described by the U.S. EPA emphasize the need to accelerate the development of biological sampling as a regular part of surface water programs. ORSANCO and the eight states in the Ohio River Basin are aggressively pursuing the development of a tool to describe and monitor the biological processes of the Ohio River with the purpose of maintaining and improving upon the quality of the system.

Biological criteria, or biocriteria, are numeric values or narrative expressions that describe a preferred biological condition. Typically, indices are created that numerically express the condition of specific attributes of an aquatic community, such as fish, macroinvertebrates or algae. Biocriteria are a direct measure of the condition of a water resource at a particular location.

In the past, scientists have relied upon chemical-specific and effluent toxicity testing to predict the impacts of contaminants on the environment. Measurements were made in laboratories in order to predict occurrences in the environment. This extrapolation was the best technology available at the time. Biocriteria have recently provided scientists with the ability to measure environmental impacts in the field without relying on extrapolation: It is a real-time measurement of biological conditions.

Biocriteria allow for the detection of problems that other methods may miss or underestimate. They also provide a systematic process for measuring the effectiveness of water resource management programs. In addition, they allow for the evaluation of the adequacy of permits and provide a means for measuring status and trends.

For more information about ORSANCO's Biocriteria Development Program, contact: our This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it