Ring test for whole-sediment toxicity assay with -a- benthic marine diatom.
This work presents the results of an interlaboratory proficiency exercise for whole-sediment toxicity assays with the benthic marine diatom Cylindrotheca closterium. An assay protocol was established and followed by all participating laboratories. Cell growth after 72 h exposure was the endpoint used. Four sediment samples of unknown toxicity were assayed. The main problem encountered during this exercise was the differences in the cell growth of algae exposed to reference sediment. Those differences may be associated with changes in the physiological status of the initial culture due to temperature changes during transport to the other laboratories. In general, the method proposed presented good replicability (precision between replicates) and reproducibility (interlaboratory precision). Around 80% (17 out of 21) of results obtained were classified as satisfactory (Z-scores <2). The whole-sediment assay with C. closterium presented here can be considered sufficiently successful for possible use as a standard toxicity test. The assay is simple to perform, the proposed species is ecologically relevant as an integral component of microphytobenthos, and is widely distributed around the world. These positive factors suggest that the whole-sediment assay with the benthic marine diatom C. closterium can be used as a reliable tool in marine sediment quality assessment.
Araújo
Cristiano V M
CV
Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía (CSIC), Campus Universitario Río San Pedro s/n, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain. cristiano.araujo@icman.csic.es
Tornero
Victoria
V
Lubián
Luís M
LM
Blasco
Julián
J
van Bergeijk
Stef A
SA
Cañavate
Pedro
P
Cid
Angeles
A
Franco
Dora
D
Prado
Raquel
R
Bartual
Ana
A
López
Manuel Gil
MG
Ribeiro
Rui
R
Moreira-Santos
Matilde
M
Torreblanca
Amparo
A
Jurado
Beatriz
B
Moreno-Garrido
Ignacio
I
D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards; D017377:Diatoms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D011174:Portugal; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013030:Spain; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical