Solid-Phase Test for Sediment Toxicity Using the Luminescent Bacterium, Vibrio Fischeri (original) (raw)
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Environmental Toxicology, 1999
The reproducibility of sediment toxicity bioassays using the Microtoxᮋ solid-phase test ( ) SPT with the luminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri was estimated in an interlaboratory precision study. A preliminary study, with five labs testing six solid-phase samples, was used to evaluate proposed method modifications. As a result, it was recommended that the SPT protocol be revised to include whole sample testing with subsequent wet-weight to dry-weight correction, and the use of NaNO , 3 rather than NaCl, as the diluent for freshwater sediment samples. The revised protocol was then examined in a definitive precision study, with 18 laboratories each testing eight samples. Coefficients of variation for the eight samples ranged from 35.8 to 78.0%. One possible source of error is the separate moisture content determination performed by each laboratory in order to calculate the wet-weight to ( ) dry-weight correction. Out of a total of 143 bioassays performed by the 18 labs, only two results 1.4% exceeded the critical value of the interlaboratory consistency statistic h. With coefficients of variation comparable to other interlaboratory precision studies, and an extremely low number of results exceeding the critical value of h, it is concluded that the V. fischeri SPT has an acceptable level of precision and can be developed as a standardized test method.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2010
The present study represents the first broader evaluation of the rapid 30-s kinetic bioluminescence assay with Vibrio fisheri (microplate format modification) for contact toxicity testing of whole sediments. The present study focused on river sediments from the Morava River basin, Czech Republic, repeatedly sampled during 2005 to 2006 and analyzed for geological and geochemical parameters, content of toxic metals, major organic pollutants, and toxicity. High natural variation in toxicity (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] values ranging from 0.8 to >80 mg sediment dry wt/ml) was found (among different sampling periods and years, among sites), and this could be related to the sediment dynamics affected by spring high flows and summer droughts. From the 46 sediment descriptors, exchangeable protons (H þ ) was the only parameter that consistently correlated with toxicity. Three other descriptors (i.e., content of organic carbon plus two parameters from the detailed silicate analysis of sediments: percentage of SO 3 representing total sulfur content, structural water H 2 Oþ) also significantly correlated with toxicity. There were only minor and variable correlations with contamination. We propose sediment safety guideline categories for the V. fisheri kinetic test with severe toxicity threshold of IC50 < 1 mg dry wt/ml. Although sediments are considered a rather stable matrix in comparison with river water, we confirmed high variability and dynamics that should be reflected in monitoring plans and field studies.
Frontiers in Microbiology, 2016
Several bacteria-based assays, notably Vibrio fischeri luminescence assays, are often used as environmental monitoring tool for toxicity in sediments that may serve as both sinks and secondary source of contamination in aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we used 30-s kinetic bioassays based on V. fischeri to evaluate the toxicity associated to sediments from five localities with different contamination inputs (Morava River and its tributary Drevnice River in the southeastern part of the Czech Republic). Toxicity assessed as half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50) over the course of a year-long sampling was compared in bottom sediments and freshly trapped particulate material. Standard approach based on testing of aqueous elutriates was compared with toxicity of whole sediments (contact suspension toxicity). Bottom sediments showed lower toxicity compared to freshly trapped suspended materials in all cases. On the other hand, standardized elutriates induced generally weaker effects than suspended sediments likely due to losses during the extraction process. Toxicity generally increased during winter reaching maximum peaks in early spring months in all five sites. Total organic carbon (TOC) was found to be highly correlated with toxic effects. Toxicity from sites with direct industrial and agricultural water inputs also correlated with concentrations of metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Single time point sampling followed by the extraction and testing of elutriates, do not truly reflect the spatial and temporal variability in natural sediments and may lead to underestimation of ecotoxic risks.
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 1989
The toxlcity of selected sediments in the Adriatic Sea and the effect of phytoplankton bloonl on sedlments in the vicinity of Rovln], Yugoslavia, using bacterial bloluminescence toxicity assay, have been investigated. Sedlments under the influence of urban and industrial wastes tend to be more contaminated than those in the open sea. The toxic effect of decayed material derived from sinlung inucus aggregates was higher at locations influenced by local pollution. The time course study at 1 station suggested that increases in toxicity of sediment extracts is mainly due to changes in organic matter derived from decayed products of mucus aggregates
Toxicity assessment of reference and natural freshwater sediments with the LuminoTox assay
Environmental Toxicology, 2006
We examined the possibility of adapting the LuminoTox, a recently-commercialized bioanalytical testing procedure initially developed for aqueous samples, to assess the toxic potential of sediments. This portable fluorescent biosensor uses photosynthetic enzyme complexes (PECs) to rapidly measure photosynthetic efficiency. LuminoTox testing of 14 CRM (Certified Reference Material) sediments was first undertaken with (1) a ''solid phase assay'' (Lum-SPA) in which PECs are in intimate contact with sediment slurries for a 15 min exposure period and (2) an elutriate assay (Lum-ELU) in which PECs are exposed for 15 min to sediment water elutriates. CRM sediment toxicity data were then compared with those generated with the Microtox Solid Phase Assay (Mic-SPA). A significant correlation (P < 0.05) was shown to exist between Lum-SPA and Mic-SPA, indicating that both tests display a similar toxicity response pattern for CRM sediments having differing contaminant profiles. The sediment elutriate Lum-ELU assay displayed toxicity responses (i.e. measurable IC 20 s) for eight of the 14 CRM sediments, suggesting that it is capable of determining the presence of sediment contaminants that are readily soluble in an aqueous elutriate. Lum-SPA and Mic-SPA bioassays were further conducted on 12 natural freshwater sediments and their toxicity responses were more weakly, yet significantly, correlated. Finally, Lum-SPA testing undertaken with increasing mixtures of kaolin clay confirmed that its toxicity responses, in a manner similar to those reported for the Mic-SPA assay, are also subject to the influence of grain size. While further studies will be required to more fully understand the relationship between Lum-SPA assay responses and the physicochemical makeup of sediments (e.g., grain size, combined presence of natural and anthropogenic contaminants), these preliminary results suggest that LuminoTox testing could be a useful screen to assess the toxic potential of solid media.
Assessing sediment contamination using six toxicity assays
Journal of Limnology, 2001
An evaluation of sediment toxicity at Lake Orta, Italy was conducted to compare a toxicity test battery of 6 assays and to evaluate the extent of sediment contamination at various sediment depths. Lake Orta received excessive loadings of copper and ammonia during the 1900's until a large remediation effort was conducted in 1989-90 using lime addition. Since that time, the lake has shown signs of a steady recovery of biological communities. The study results showed acute toxicity still exists in sediments at a depth of 5 cm and greater. Assays that detected the highest levels of toxicity were two whole sediment exposures (7 d) using Hyalella azteca and Ceriodaphnia dubia. The Microtox R assay using pore water was the third most sensitive assay. The Thamnotox, Rototox, Microtox solid phase, and Seed Germination-Root Elongation (pore and solid phase) assays showed occasional to no toxicity. Based on similarity of responses and assay sensitivity, the two most useful assays were the C. dubia (or H. azteca) and Microtox pore water. These assays were effective at describing sediment toxicity in a weight-of-evidence approach.
Effects of two diluents in the Microtox® toxicity bioassay with marine sediments
Chemosphere, 2004
This paper compares the use of two different diluents, EPA synthetic seawater (salinity 31&) and NaCl standard diluent (salinity 35&), in the Microtox â toxicity bioassay performed on elutriate and solid phase derived from marine sediments. The study was performed comparing three series of data obtained by the use of the two diluents.
Assessment of contaminated sediments with an indoor freshwater/sediment microcosm assay
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2005
This study was conducted to assess the feasibility of using a 2‐L, indoor microcosm assay to evaluate five contaminated sediments (A, B, C, D, and E). Toxic potential was deduced in the light of general contamination of sediments, pollutant partitioning in microcosms, and biological responses of species (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Lemna minor, Daphnia magna, Hyalella azteca, Chironomus riparius): E