Use of Duckweed ( Lemna minor L.) growth inhibition test to evaluate the toxicity of acrylonitrile, sulphocyanic sodium and acetonitrile in China

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the acute toxicity of three major pollutants (acrylonitrile, sulphocyanic sodium and acetonitrile) in acrylonitrile-acrylic effluents to Lemna minor using the growth inhibition test. As well, the study wanted to determine if L. minor can be used as an effective bioassay organism in China. The experimental approach involved exposure of L. minor under standard laboratory conditions to the three chemicals. The results indicated that the 96 h–IC 50s of the three chemicals to L. minor were 27.08 mg litre −1, 3663 mg litre −1 and 3685 mg litre −1, respectively, while using the relative growth rate as the IC 50 endpoint. L. minor proved to be a practical bioassay organism because the L. minor toxicity test is simple, sensitive, and cost-effective.