Biological testing—development, application, and trends in canadian environmental protection laboratories

Abstract

Past and present Canadian experiences with biological testa for controlling the quality of wastewaters are discussed. Test use has evolved from data acquisition on acute toxicities, to physicochemical and biological parameters being regulated and monitored by industrial sector in the 197013, and hazard assessments conducted by the 1980s. At a time when Environment Canada is reviewing its ecotoxicological procedures, new opportunities for waste assessment with "second generation" biotests are emerging. Recent experiences suggest that small-scale, sensitive, biological testa can be employed for environmentally and economically effective control of effluents entering aquatic environments.It is also expected that biotesting activities will increase because of new environmental strategies and regulations. These will stimulate biological research and development, and promote a partnership between ecotoxicology, environmental chemistry, and biotechnology.

Genotoxicity in water and sediment extracts from the St Lawrence river system, using the SOS chromotest

“…The use of biotesting has proved essential in investigating the presence of genotoxic activity in natural environments (Blaise et al, 1988;USE PA, 1985). Bacteria have been widely used as test organisms to detect genotoxicants (Kibley et al, 1984).…”

Acute toxicity assessment of industrial effluents with a microplate-basedHydra attenuata assay

“…to complex samples and chemicals (Blaise, 1991;Wells Ten representative industrial sites from Toyama Prefecet al, 1996). ture (Japan) were visited during the weeks of October Although Hydra attenuata, a freshwater cnidarian, 23rd and 30th, 1995, thanks to previous arrangements has been successfully employed to demonstrate the teramade with the second author to this study and industry togenic (developmental) potential of numerous chemiofficials.…”

“…praise the potential hazards they may present, different approaches/strategies have been put in place over the past decade to measure ecotoxicity in the effluent themAquatic ecotoxicological investigations continue to selves [Blaise et al, 1988; U.S. Environmental Protecidentify industrial wastewaters as an important source of tion Agency (EPA), 1992;Costan et al, 1993; Stulfauth, contamination to receiving water systems (Houk, 1992;scale tests employing various (sub)cellular systems and…”

Aquatic ecotoxicology: what has been accomplished and what lies ahead? An Eastern Canada historical perspective

“…Insidiously, on arrival of the 1950s, massive discharges of untreated wastewaters, and of specific chemical contaminants, led to visibly degraded aquatic environments. 1 While there was an evident awareness of pollution problems, remediation responses were limited owing to lack of knowledge, tools and strategies to tackle environmental damage. This age of darkness decade, however, was soon followed by one that can be termed the beginning of enlightenment in the ensuing decade.…”