Title: New biological methods for assessing episodic pollution
Author: I. Johnson
Author: M. Crane
Author: L. Halt
Author: A.C. Garrood
Author: M. Beverley
Author: B.D. Roddie
Document Type: Monograph
Abstract:
This report describes work currently being carried out in four main areas with a view to developing reliable and applicable bioassays for fresh, estuarine and marine waters. The development of in situ bioassays for fresh water quality assessment is based on pollutant-induced effects on the physiological scope for growth (SFG) index in Gammarus pulex and the biochemical index of glutathione-s-transferase (GST) induction in Sphaerium corneum. Feeding rate has been identified as the important component of the scope for growth assay, and in field deployments this parameter identified differences in water quality above and below discharges. Induction of the enzyme GST, which has a key role in the detoxification of pollutants, has been measured in response to physical stress and pollutant (organochlorine compounds and zinc) exposure. In addition, these approaches appear to have potential to indicate prior exposure to episodic events. The studies on enhancing the applicability of the marine oyster embryo toxicity test through the cryopreservation of oyster gametes and developing toxicity tests for estuarine pollution using copepod species are currently in the developmental stages. However, as with the freshwater approaches, these bioassays should ultimately provide the National River Authority with robust, sensitive and reliable bioassays which can be routinely applied to assessing fresh, estuarine and marine pollution.
Publisher: National Rivers Authority
Publication Date: 1990
Publication Place: Bristol
Subject Keywords: Bioassays; Pollution; Water quality measurements
Extent: 179
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:2247
Total file downloads: 20
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