Abstract

Environmental toxicologists are groping for a “universal” bioassay. Most existing bioassays are narrowly specific as to toxins, environments, or target bio-communities; they tend to be marginally sensitive, broadly interpretable, and highly variable; they are time-consuming and expensive; and they require cultures that are difficult to maintain.

A novel, patented bioassay that measures toxic quenching of the natural bioluminescence of the microscopic marine dinoflagellate Pyrocystis lunula so far has tested positive to all substances tested that are considered toxic and has generated neither false negatives nor positives. It is sensitive to parts per billion (ppb) concentrations; is precise, with a variability in the 10% range or less; takes as little as an hour; uses an easily cultured organism; is unaffected by a sample’s color or turbidity; and can test marine or terrestrial aqueous samples or sediments. It is a broad-spectrum test that has successfully detected and measured toxicity of mycotoxins, neurotoxins, metals, dispersants, anticancer drugs, antibiotics, herbicides, pesticides, seafloor sediments, the water column itself, drilling fluids, and produced waters. Research in conjunction with the United States Navy, Louisiana State University, and the United States Army led to the development of a hand-held, portably toxicity tester that uses the patented technology.