A new flash method for measuring the toxicity of solid and colored samples

A new approach for determining the toxicity of solid and highly coloured sa mples was developed. The measurement is based on the BioTox(TM) test utilis ing bioluminescent Vibrio fischeri, The measurements were done with solid s amples taken from an old industry area using a luminometer capable of monit oring light emission in a kinetic mode. In the method the signal from the s ample is measured immediately after getting into contact with the sample an d again after an incubation period of less than one minute, and therefore n o correction factors are needed. The results are comparable to the results obtained with the standard Vibrio fischeri toxicity test (correlation coeff icient r = 0,836) with a slightly reduced sensitivity but with many new fea tures including ultra fast performance. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.