Abstract details

Monitoring of Surface Water by an Ultra-Sensitive Daphnia Toximeter

 

Published in: Environmental Toxicology, Symposium Issue 2000, ISTA 9, Vol. 15, 5, pp. 390-400

Lechelt, M.1), Blohm, W. 1), Kirschneit, B. 1), Pfeiffer, M. 1), Gresens, E. 1), Liley,J. 2), Holz, R. 2), Lüring, C. 2), Moldaenke, C. 2) 1) Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, State Environmental Protection Authority Office of Environmental Investigations, phone +49 40 42845 3869, fax +49 40 42845 3873, email: Michael.Lechelt@ub.hamburg.de 2) bbe Moldaenke, Wildrosenweg 3, 24119 Kiel-Kronshagen; Germany phone: +49 431 380 400, fax +49 431 380 4010, email bbe@bbe-moldaenke.de Abstract
Static biotests, such as daphnia tests and algae tests, are well known in the checking of water quality. Although they are often called "acute" tests they are not able to identify short term accidents or time-dependent variations of toxic substances. Biomonitoring systems were set up to serve as "early warning systems". Biomonitor are 24 hour a day working systems, using organisms to indicate changes due to the release of toxic substances. This paper deals with the measurement of changes in the behaviour ofdaphnia with the bbe Daphnia Toximeter. Speed, speed distribution, height, distance between organisms, number of daphnia and "fractal dimension" are evaluated to account for the appearance of toxic substances. In this way even low concentrations which do not lead to the death of daphnia can be detected within minutes. Results of the last two years of field experience and laboratory tests are given.

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