An uncomplicated screening test to evaluate toxicity of environmentally hazardous compounds in water

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
This system was an uncomplicated screening test to evaluate the impact of environmentally hazardous compounds. As a test organism the red colored resting stages of the green alga Chlorella fusca were employed. In comparison with cultures of other organisms these resting stages had the advantage of remaining physiologically stable for extended periods. They can even be shipped by mail. After transfer into fresh nutrient medium the cells regreen. This involves extensive synthetic processes, especially membrane synthesis. The evaluation of the toxic properties of the compound to be examined was carried out by determining and comparing the chlorophyll a concentration in vivo of contaminated and untreated cultures. The test was sensitive; the toxic action of 0.9 .mu.ol/l Pb can be accurately determined. The same concentration of the herbicide paraquat was already lethal.