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The perspective of microbiotests application to surface water monitoring and effluent control in Estonia
Author(s) -
Blinova I.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
environmental toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.813
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1522-7278
pISSN - 1520-4081
DOI - 10.1002/1522-7278(2000)15:5<385::aid-tox5>3.0.co;2-6
Subject(s) - selenastrum , effluent , daphnia magna , lemna minor , bioassay , environmental science , water quality , surface water , wastewater , ecotoxicity , environmental chemistry , biota , eutrophication , sewage treatment , aquatic plant , biology , ecology , toxicity , environmental engineering , macrophyte , chemistry , nutrient , organic chemistry
In Estonia, traditional chemical monitoring of surface water and effluents is performed but bioassays are not used as monitoring tools. Furthermore, the expediency of application of toxicity tests to surface water monitoring is questionable. The main aim of this study was to test the feasibility of using microbiotests in the biomonitoring of surface water and effluents. The sensitivity of five test species was also evaluated during the study. Water samples from rivers and wastewater treatment plants were collected over a period of 3 years and tested using bioassays with Selenastrum capricornutum , Thamnocephalus platyurus , Daphnia magna , Tetrahymena thermophila , and Lemna minor . The species used in the battery of tests showed different sensitivities for a specific sample. This confirms the need for a battery of bioassays for the assessment of possible ecological consequences of wastewater discharge. The studied test species are sensitive enough to indicate negative changes in surface water quality, which can affect the aquatic biota. The battery of bioassays consisting of T. platyurus , L. minor , S. capricornutum and D. magna can be recommended for control of waste water quality and assessment of a potential risk for aquatic biota. The results of tests with plant species may give additional important information on the possible effect of effluent on the eutrophication process in receiving waters. From the results obtained during the present study it can be recommended that toxicity tests be included in the effluent and surface water monitoring program in Estonia. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Environ Toxicol 15: 385–389, 2000