Bioassay Method for the Determination of Toxaphene in Lake Water

Abstract

A method based on static bioassays was developed to measure the concentration of toxaphene before restocking of lakes treated with this toxicant. A double distillation technique was used to extract the toxaphene and concentrate it in a small volume of distillate. Bioassays were then carried out in 200-ml samples of distillate reconstituted with electrolytes to match a standard water. Guppies, Lebistes reticulatus (Peters), less than 7 days old were used as test organisms.The method developed was used to follow the detoxification of Midway Lake which was rehabilitated with toxaphene. Data on the rate of detoxification are presented.