SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1986
STP29044S

Effect of Natural Water Source on the Toxicity of Chemicals to Aquatic Microorganisms

Source

A series of substituted chlorophenols was evaluated in the Beckman Microtox® Analyzer using natural water from several diverse sources. Statistically significant differences in the effect level, as measured by an ANOVA of the EC50 (the concentration of toxicant that causes a 50% reduction in the light output of the bioluminescent bioassay organism, Photobacterium phosphoreum), were observed as a function of water source for three of the four compounds tested. These differences may be attributed to differences in the nature and concentration of natural dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the water samples. Some DOC, such as humics, are suspected of binding hydrophobic toxicants, and thus reducing the bioavailability and toxic effect of these compounds. At least one of the observed toxicity reductions can be accounted for by specific compound characteristics and the nature and concentration of the DOC as determined by fluorescence spectroscopy and fingerprinting by pyrolytic gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) techniques. However, for the other compounds tested, fluorescence techniques proved inadequate. Additional methodology will be necessary to elucidate the seemingly more complex mechanisms of toxicity reduction for these compounds.

Author Information

Cunningham, VL
Smith Kline & French Laboratories, PA, Swedeland
Morgan, MS
Smith Kline & French Laboratories, PA, Swedeland
Hannah, RE
Smith Kline & French Laboratories, PA, Swedeland
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Details
Developed by Committee: E47
Pages: 436–449
DOI: 10.1520/STP29044S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4986-1
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0489-1