Determination of acute toxicity of heavy metals

Abstract

The acute toxicity of heavy metals has been measured. The bacterial bioluminescent test has been used as a suitable bioassay for quantitative evaluation of toxicity of these dangerous and frequent environmental contaminants. The obtained effective concentration values have been compared and discussed. Besides, the relative molar toxicity values have been calculated. Out of the group of tested heavy metals, the highest toxicity to the bioindicator Photobacterium phosphoreum has been observed in case of mercury and the lowest for nickel.

Keywords:

• Acute toxicity
• heavy metals
• bacterial bioluminescent assay
• effective concentrations