Contact toxicity of metals in sewage sludge: Evaluation of alternatives to sodium chloride in the Microtox[reg sign] assay

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620140103· OSTI ID:6792454

Carlson-Ekvall, C E.A.; Morrison, G M ^[1]

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1. Chalmers Univ. of Technology, Goeteborg (Sweden). Dept. of Sanitary Engineering

The presence of chloride ions in the Microtox[reg sign] test can cause problems when testing metal toxicity, both due to extraction of metals from solid samples and formation of chloro complexes of metals in the liquid phase. To investigate alternatives to NaCl in the Microtox test, the toxicity of Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn to Photobacterium phosphoreum was tested in 28 osmotic surrogates for NaCl. It was found that Na[sup +] must be present to keep the blank luminescence stable for 30 min. The results point to NaClO[sub 4] as the most satisfactory surrogate solution as it has an inert behavior and does not form complexes with any metal of environmental interest. Raw, digested, and reference sewage sludges were tested in the osmotic surrogates. The EC50 values for sludges were lower in solutions of NaNO[sub 3], Na[sub 2]SO[sub 4], and NaClO[sub 4], and higher in sucrose, mannitol, and KCl, compared to NaCl. NaClO[sub 4] can be recommended as an osmotic surrogate for sewage sludge testing. Another problem with the Microtox assay is the lack of pH control in the cuvette. Copper toxicity tests were carried out in Tris buffer and KH[sub 2]PO[sub 4] at two different concentrations and at pH 7 and 8. The results show that 1 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, can be recommended for solid samples. However, owing to formation of KClO[sub 4] a buffer containing potassium is not recommended in combination with NaClO[sub 4].

• OSTI ID: 6792454
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States) Vol. 14:1; ISSN 0730-7268; ISSN ETOCDK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BACTERIA
BIOASSAY
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
CADMIUM
CONTAMINATION
COPPER
ELEMENTS
LEAD
MATERIALS
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
PHOTOSYNTHETIC BACTERIA
POLLUTION
SENSITIVITY
SEWAGE
SEWAGE SLUDGE
SLUDGES
TOXICITY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WASTES
WATER POLLUTION
ZINC