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NEW METHOD FOR DETERMINING EFFLUENT TOXICITY USING DUCKWEED (LEMNA MINOR)
Citation:
Taraldsen, J. AND T. Norberg-King. NEW METHOD FOR DETERMINING EFFLUENT TOXICITY USING DUCKWEED (LEMNA MINOR). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-90/206 (NTIS PB91116129), 1990.
Description:
Duckweed (Lemna minor), a small vascular plant, grows rapidly, is sensitive to a wide variety of toxicants and is easy to culture. ethod is described that measures duckweed frond growth and chlorophyll levels as indicators of growth inhibition. he method requires a small testing volume (15 ml) of reconstituted test medium that is prepared by using commercial grade soil to promote frond and chlorophyll production. ariety of single toxicants, industrial effluents and wastewater treatment plant effluents were tested. or most chemicals, the duckweed was as sensitive as other frequently used test species. he comparative toxicities to Ceriodaphnia dubia and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) with various effluents indicates that, for some industrial effluents, duckweed was the most sensitive indicator used.