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USE OF AQUATIC OLIGOCHAETE, 'LUMBRICULUS VARIEGATUS', FOR EFFLUENT BIOMONITORING
Citation:
Hornig, C. USE OF AQUATIC OLIGOCHAETE, 'LUMBRICULUS VARIEGATUS', FOR EFFLUENT BIOMONITORING. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/D-80/005 (NTIS PB82137621), 1980.
Description:
The report describes a simple, inexpensive static bioassay technique using the aquatic oligchaete (earthworm), Lumbriculus variegatus (Muller), to screen cooling-water effluents for environmental toxicity. (Biological approaches to the early detection of toxic agents in industrial effluents and receiving waters generally require complex techniques and equipment, and are often impractical for use in self-monitoring programs or large-scale monitoring networks.) The new method requires only the test organism, holding containers, and temperature control. The test organisms are readily available, require little preparation and maintenance, and are sensitive to a variety of toxicants. Study findings demonstrate the organism's sensitivity to the widely used biocide, sodium pentachlorophenate (96-hour LC50 of 0.57 ppm), and to actual industrial wastes. While further refinement and testing will be required, this simple bioassay appears to hold considerable promise for cost-efficient pre-screening of toxic changes in cooling-water effluents.