Ecotoxicological assessment of soil using the Bacillus pumilus contact test.

摘要

We estimated the toxicity of soils artificially contaminated with metals and a pesticide using the Bacillus pumilus dehydrogenase activity (DHase) inhibition test. We found a masking effect of organic matter while testing the toxicity of soil samples with low content of toxicants. To avoid this effect, uncontaminated soil should be used as a control; in its absence, we recommend using a "substitute" control. We developed a method to estimate the "substitute" control by multiplying the quotient (So), which depends on organic matter content (C_org) of the soil sample, by the activity of the test culture determined in the presence of water (Arel_w). This method does not require uncontaminated soil controls and can be extended to use with other test organisms that are sensitive to C_org.Digital Object Identifier http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejsobi.2010.12.001