What is the Criterion Maximum Concentration (CMC)?
The Criterion Maximum Concentration (CMC) is also known as the “acute” aquatic life ambient water quality criterion. These criteria use toxicity tests from 8 different taxonomic families of marine/estuarine aquatic life in which mortality or immobility was the test endpoint. Acute criteria represent the highest one-hour average concentration that should not result in unacceptable effects on aquatic organisms. What is the Criterion Continuous Concentration (CCC)? The Criterion Continuous Concentration (CCC) is also known as the “chronic” aquatic life ambient water quality criterion. These criteria use toxicity tests from the same types of aquatic life used for acute toxicity testing, but these tests measure effects on long-term survival, growth and reproduction of marine/estuarine aquatic life. Chronic criteria represent the highest 4-day average concentration that should not result in unacceptable toxicity during a long time event. Source: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/libra
