This review of the recent literature on environmental applications of
bioluminescence systems will focus on in vivo and in vitro bioluminesc
ence methods that have been utilized to elucidate properties of chemic
als, toxic and mutagenic effects, and to estimate biomass. The unifyin
g theme was the applications of bioluminescence to environmental monit
oring, remedial investigations, toxicity assessments, and field method
s. In addition to standard analytical laboratory methods and emerging
field methods used for environmental monitoring, there currently exist
a need for rapid and cost-effective methods to determine toxicity and
bioavailability of pollutants in contaminated environmental samples.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has continuing interest
in innovative technologies for environmental monitoring applications
such as those provided by bioluminescence methods.