Toxicity determination of zinc and cadmium (single and in combination) with a battery of Toxkit microbiotests

Abstract

Toxicity tests were performed with 4 Toxkit microbiotests, based on aquatic species of different phylogenetic groups and representing different trophic levels, on 2 heavy metals (zinc and cadmium) which are common contaminants of the aquatic environment. The metals were tested out single on micro-algae (Algaltoxkit F with Selenastrum capricornutum), a ciliate protozoan (Protoxkit F with Tetrahymena thermophila), and 2 crustaceans (Daphtoxkit F™ with Daphnia pulex and Thamnotoxkit F™ with Thamnocephalus platyurus); combination experiments were performed on the micro-algae and one of the 2 crustaceans (D. pulex).