title: Application of MicroResp™ for soil ecotoxicology.
abstract: MicroResp™ is a miniaturised method for measuring substrate induced respiration (SIR) in soil. We modified the MicroResp™ method to develop a rapid tool for quantifying the ecotoxicological impact of contaminants. The method is based on reduction in SIR across a gradient of contaminant, allowing for determination of dose-response curves EC-values. Contaminants are mixed into soil samples at a range of concentrations; each sample is then dispensed into a column of eight wells in 96 well format (deep) plates. Moisture and glucose are added to the samples at levels to provide maximum response. Released CO₂ from the soils is then measured using colorimetric gel-traps, following the standard MicroResp™ methodology. Examination revealed that this method works over a range of soil types and is insensitive to minor variations in assay length (2-7 h), alteration of moisture content (±20 μL from optimum), and soil storage conditions (4 °C versus fresh).
authors.affiliation: AgResearch Ltd, Lincoln Science Centre, Private Bag 4749, Christchurch, New Zealand. steve.wakelin@agresearch.co.nz
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wakelin
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lombi
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Donner
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Macdonald
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Callaghan
mesh_terms: D001681:Biological Assay; D055669:Ecological and Environmental Phenomena; D054750:Ecotoxicology; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants