Is the Biotic Ligand Model an appropriate model for multiple metal stressors?

The Biotic Ligand Model is a useful construct to account for site-specific differences in receiving water quality. This research is designed to improve the predictive capacity of the BLM. It should provide insight on the important factors that influence bioavailability in natural (complex) media. This work will contribute fundamental and mechanistic knowledge that will be useful to others working on higher trophic levels. Better understanding of these model systems will provide us with greater insight of the tools required for the more complex organisms, including humans. The fieldwork for this project should provide useful inputs to risk assessments currently underway in the Rouyn-Noranda and/or Sudbury regions.