Ecotoxicity assessment of metals and wastewater using multitrophic assays

Abstract

Multitrophic test batteries are not yet widely used in toxicity testing although there is a growing tendency towards their usage. The aim of this study was to assess which are the most appropriate assays to include in a battery for monitoring ecotoxicity derived from heavy metals and wastewater. The tests applied that made up the battery were Bacillus cereus, Hydra attenuata, Panagrellus redivivus, Daphnia magna, Lactuca sativa, and Oncorhynchus mykiss, which were each used to determine acute and chronic toxicity, and mutagenicity under different samples (treatments) that included the following metals: Cd(II), Cu(II), Cr(VI), Hg(II). With the exception of O. mykiss, the same organisms were tested for ecotoxicity effects under wastewater samples derived from different processes of domestic and industrial effluents. Bioassays used were effective and delivered reproducible and reliable results. Most of the organisms chosen were sensitive to toxicants: O. mykiss and H. attenuata were the most sensitive species, while B. cereus was highly resistant to the chemicals. H. attenuata proved to be the most sensitive species with the environmental samples, while B. cereus and L. sativa were the most consistently resistant. The results led us to conclude that the battery was appropriate, allowing decisions to be made on the best tests depending on the type of contaminant, sensitivity required, and cost. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Environ Toxicol 15: 370–375, 2000