Predicting relative toxicity of metal ions to bacteria (Microtox{reg_sign}) using ion characteristics

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:201179

McCloskey, J T; Newman, M C; Clark, S B ^[1]

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1. Savannah River Ecology Lab., Aiken, SC (United States)

The use of predictive effects models with metals has received little attention in toxicology. The purpose of this study was to predict the relative toxicity of individual metal ions and metal mixtures using ion characteristics. The concentration of metal resulting in a 50% reduction in light output (EC50) in marine bacteria (Vibrio fischeri) was determined for several metals using the Microtox{reg_sign} Toxicity Analyzer. Trends in metal toxicity were predicted by combining metal speciation calculations with empirical models based on metal ion characteristics. These trends were consistent for nine divalent metals (Ca{prime} Cd, Cu, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) whether the media mimicked salt water (NaC, medium) or freshwater (NaNO{sub 3} medium). When expanding the study to include an additional 14 mono-, di-, and trivalent metal ions, ion characteristics were still useful for predicting the relative toxicity of metal ions to bacteria. The prediction of nonadditive toxic effects using metal mixtures was also possible based on ion characteristics. Overall, models based on ion characteristics show much promise for predicting the relative toxicity of metal ions using the Microtox{reg_sign} assay.

• OSTI ID: 201179
• Report Number(s): CONF-9511137--; ISBN 1-880611-03-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOASSAY
CADMIUM
CALCIUM
COPPER
FORECASTING
LEAD
MAGNESIUM
MANGANESE
MERCURY
NICKEL
PHOTOSYNTHETIC BACTERIA
SENSITIVITY
TOXICITY
WATER POLLUTION
ZINC