Developments in bioassay methods for toxicity testing in water treatment

Abstract

The presence of toxic substances in water and water treatment plants is a major environmental problem. Numerous test methods have been developed to assess the effect of chemical pollutants on the environment, including bioassays. Bioassays in which test organisms are exposed to various doses of the pollutant are used for toxicity evaluations. This is achieved by monitoring the biological integrity of these organisms and comparing them with those which have not been exposed to the pollutant. The need for simple, rapid and relatively inexpensive aquatic toxicity tests has influenced the expansion in research in this area and accelerated the development and application of biological toxicity tests.