Ecotoxicological studies of environmental samples from Buenos Aires area using a standardized amphibian embryo toxicity test (AMPHITOX).
The toxicity of 34 environmental samples from potentially polluted and reference stations were evaluated by means of the AMPHITOX test from acute to chronic exposure according to the toxicity found in each sample. The samples were obtained from surface and ground water, leaches, industrial effluents and soils. The data, expressed in acute, short-term chronic and chronic Toxicity Units (TUa, TUstc and TUc) resulted in a maximal value of 1000 TUc, found in a leach, while the lower toxicity value was 1.4 TUa corresponding to two surface water samples. In five samples (four providing from reference places) no toxicity was detected. The results point out the possibility of evaluating the toxicity of a wide diversity of samples by means of AMPHITOX as a customized toxicity test. The fact that almost all samples with suspected toxicity in rivers and streams from the Metropolitan area of Buenos Aires city resulted toxic, indicates the need of enhanced stewardship of chemical substances for environmental and human health protection purposes.
Herkovits
Jorge
J
Programa de Seguridad Química, Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Salud (ICAS), Fundación PROSAMA, Buenos Aires, Argentina. herkovit@mail.retina.ar
Perez-Coll
Cristina
C
Herkovits
Francisco D
FD
D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D002025:Bufonidae; D002947:Cities; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000187:drug effects; D047108:Embryonic Development; D006801:Humans; D007220:Industrial Waste; D011634:Public Health; D012016:Reference Values; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*
D007220:Industrial Waste; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014873:Water Pollutants