Chronic toxicity of a laundry detergent to the freshwater flagellate Euglena gracilis.
Chronic toxicity of the common laundry detergent Ariel on the freshwater alga Euglena gracilis was investigated by growing the alga in a medium containing the detergent for 7 days. Cell density, motility, swimming velocity, gravitactic orientation, cell shape, photosynthesis and concentration of light-harvesting pigments were used as end point parameters for the assessment of toxicity. Cell density was significantly reduced at a concentration of 1 mg l(-1) or above. Among the other tested parameters, with the exception of cell shape, gravitaxis and chlorophyll b, all were adversely affected by the detergent at concentrations exceeding 1 mg l(-1). It is concluded that long-term (7-days) exposure to the detergent caused significant toxicity to E. gracilis. Furthermore, long-term tests with E. gracilis can be used as sensitive indicator for the toxicity assessment of laundry detergents in aquatic environments.
Cell Biology Division, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University, Staudtstr. 5, 91058, Erlangen, Germany. azizswabi@hotmail.com
Azizullah
A
Azizullah
Peter
P
Richter
Muhammad
M
Jamil
Donat-Peter
DP
Häder
D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D003902:Detergents / Q000633:toxicity*; D005056:Euglena gracilis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D007846:Laundering; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D036401:Toxicity Tests, Chronic; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D003902:Detergents; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical