Bioluminescence Inhibition Test (Vibrio fischeri) for Surface Sediments from Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent Outfall Area

Abstract

A toxicity of 20 sediment samples from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent outfall area was performed using bioluminescence inhibition test (Vibrio fischeries). Sediment toxicity showed an increase with exposure time to sediment extracts. The effective concentration 50%, EC50, of sediments at 30 min of exposure time ranged from 0.014 to 0.148 mg/mL. Sediment toxicity decreased with increasing distance from WWTP effluent outfall, suggesting that WWTP effluent would contribute to sediment toxicity. In comparison with critical values by other studies, significant toxicity is widespread in the outfall area. The sediment toxicity also showed good correlations with chemical levels and macrobenthic community structure previously reported in the sampling locations. These suggest that bioluminescent test is a useful screening method for sediment toxicity prediction.