APPLYING HASSE DIAGRAM TECHNIQUE FOR THE EVALUATION OF TOXICOLOGICAL FISH TESTS

Mathematical techniques serve as valuable tools to estimate given scie ntific data with respect to their particular properties, In the presen t study the Hasse diagram technique was applied to visualize the order of toxicological parameters concerning their sensitivity when used to detect damaging effects of aquatic pollutants in fish. Data derived f rom 6 prolonged toxicity tests carried out in rainbow trout (Oncorhync hus mykiss) and include hematological, clinical-chemical and histopath ological parameters. Chemicals tested were chosen according to their e nvironmental presence and relevance. In the test fish the gills as one of the histopathological parameters turned out to be the most sensiti ve organ examined. Additionally the Hasse diagram technique showed som e interrelationships between tests.