Response Characteristics of an Aquatic Biomonitor Used for Rapid Toxicity Detection
Abstract
The response characteristics of an aquatic biomonitor that detects toxicity by monitoring changes in bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque) ventiliatory and movement patterns were evaluated in single chemical laboratory studies at concentrations near the 96-h LC5O concentration and at the ElLA Tox-Oregon Workshop in sequential tests of multiple unknown samples. Baseline data collected prior to exposure allows each fish to serve as its own control. When at least 70% of exposed fish exhibit ventilatory or movement parameters significantly different from baseline observations, a group alarm is declared. In the laboratory studies, the aquatic biomonitor responded to the majority of chemicals at the 96-h LC5O within an hour or less, although substantially higher response times were found for malathion and pentachlorophenol. Workshop tests of single chemical concentrations presented as blind samples were consistent with the laboratory test results. There were no alarms under control conditions in any test. Although data are limited, the aquatic biomonitor appears to respond more rapidly to chemicals causing membrane irritation, narcosis or polar narcosis than to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or oxidative phosphorylation uncouplers. All four monitored parameters (ventilatory rate, cough rate, ventilatory depth and movement) contributed to identification of first alarms at acutely toxic levels. Understanding these response patterns can be useful in data interpretation for biomonitor applications such as surface water monitoring and watershed protection, wastewater treatment plant effluent monitoring or source water monitoring for drinking water protection.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 15, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA437493
Entities
People
- L. M. Brennan
- M. W. Widder
- T. R. Shedd
- W. H. Van Der Schalie
Organizations
- U.S. Army Center for Environmental Health Research