Biotesting for the objectivization of the hygienic evaluation of the surface and underground drinking water sources

Abstract

Introduction. An algorithm for evaluating the hygienic safety of drinking water sources based on biotesting and studying sanitary and chemical indicators has been developed and tested. Materials and methods. The research methods included sanitary and chemical analysis of water samples, as well as biotesting methods using single-celled green alga Chlorella vulgaris Beijer and bull spermatozoa. Results. For experimental approbation of the developed algorithm for determining the hygienic safety of water based on a two-component system of express biotesting and measurement of sanitary and chemical indicators, 6 underground and 5 surface water sources were evaluated. The response of test objects indicating the presence of acute toxicity in water samples taken from surface and underground in many cases correlates with the excess of MPC for individual indicators identified by sanitary and chemical analysis. For two water samples, differences were found between the results of biotesting and sanitary-chemical analysis, and therefore it is necessary to conduct an extended toxicological and chemical assessment to identify the source of toxic effects. Limitations. The two-component test system cannot be used separately without sanitary and chemical analysis of water media. Conclusion. Biotesting can be an addition to sanitary and chemical analyses, showing the presence of toxic substances that are not in the list of mandatory indicators to be determined (according to MR 2.1.4.0176-20 (in Russian)).