Record Display for the EPA National Library Catalog

RECORD NUMBER: 5 OF 117

Main Title Adaptation of Mixed Flask Culture Microcosms for Testing the Survival and Effects of Introduced Microorganisms.
Author Shannon, L. J. ; Flum, T. E. ; Anderson, R. L. ; Yount, J. D. ;
CORP Author Environmental Research Lab., Duluth, MN. ;Minnesota Univ.-Duluth. Dept. of Biology.
Publisher 1989
Year Published 1989
Report Number EPA/600/D-89/174;
Stock Number PB90-116070
Additional Subjects Aquatic microbiology ; Spores ; Bioassay ; Aedes ; Survival ; Bacillus thuringiensis ; Biological pest control ; Virulence ; Risk assessment ; Environmental effects
Holdings
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Status
NTIS  PB90-116070 Some EPA libraries have a fiche copy filed under the call number shown. 07/26/2022
Collation 39p
Abstract
A microcosm test was used to evaluate the survival and effects of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) in aquatic systems. Two commercial formulations (Vectobac(tm) from Abbot; Mosquito Attack(tm) from Reuters Laboratories) and a laboratory preparation of Bti spores were tested. In all cases, Bti spores persisted in the microcosms, showing no change in abundance over six weeks of observation. The Bti preparations killed larval mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) and midges (Tanytarsus sp.) in microcosms within 24 to 48 hours. Other effects were limited to minor increases in primary production and community respiration (as measured by changes in pH and dissolved oxygen). These effects appeared to be a response to the loss of grazing insect species, the decomposition of dead insects, and the addition of a biodegradable compound (the formulation) with the formulated products. Bioassays of samples from the microcosms against Aedes aegypti larvae showed that Bti lost its toxicity within 7 days. The microcosm procedure proved to be a useful method for evaluating the survival and effects of microbial spores. The results obtained with the procedure were similar to those reported from field tests of Bti.