Sensitivity limits and EC50 values of the Vibrio fischeri test for organic micropollutants in natural and spiked extracts from sediments

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1998 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1897/1551-5028(1998)017<0655:SLAEVO>2.3.CO;2· OSTI ID:675466

Salizzato, M; Bertato, V; Pavoni, B; Ghirardini, A V; Ghetti, P F ^[1]

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1. Univ. di Venezia (Italy). Dept. di Scienze Ambientali

Chemical analyses and bioassays were used in conjunction to assess the quality of sediments of the Venice lagoon. Organic micropollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs] polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs], and chlorinated pesticides) were extracted from sediment samples and analyzed by gas chromatography after fractionation into classes of compounds. The Vibrio fischeri test was used to assess the acute toxicity of sediment extracts. The test was applied to organic extracts before cleanup and to extracts purified from sulfur and fractionated into single classes of compounds. Extracts before purification were much more toxic than single fractions. In particular, sulfur was toxic to V. fischeri. For PAHs and PCBs the 50% effective concentration (EC50) and EC20 values were determined using natural and spiked extracts. Sensitivity limits of the method for these compounds were also estimated as was in EC50 value of elemental sulfur dissolved in ethanol. A mathematical model was used to fit the concentration-response data to a sigmoid curve.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 675466
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 17; ISSN 0730-7268; ISSN ETOCDK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
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MATHEMATICAL MODELS
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POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
SEDIMENTS
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