Bioluminescence as a tool for studying detoxification processes in metal salt solutions involving humic substances

The paper considers effects of humic substances (HS), as natural attenuators of toxicity, on solutions of model inorganic pollutants, metal salts – Pb(NO3)2, СоСl2, CuSO4, Eu(NO3)3, СrСl3, and K3[Fe(СN)6]. Luminous bacteria Photobacterium phosphoreum and bioluminescent system of coupled enzymatic reactions were used as bioassays to monitor toxicity of salt solutions. The ability of HS to decrease or increase toxicity was demonstrated. Detoxifying concentrations of HS were determined; detoxification coefficients were calculated at different times of exposure of salt solutions to HS. To study the combined effects of HS and salts on bioluminescent assay systems, the rates of biochemical reactions and bacterial ultrastructure were analyzed. The detoxifying effects were explained by: (1) decrease of free metal content in water solutions under metal–HS binding; (2) increase of biochemical reaction rates in a bioluminescent assay system under HS effect; (3) enhancement of mucous layers on cell surface as a response to unfavorable impact of toxicants. Detoxifying mechanisms (2) and (3) reveal the active role of bioassay systems in detoxification processes.

► Humic substances can decrease or increase toxicity of metal salt solutions.
► Humic substances stimulate protective response of bioassay systems to toxicants.
► Humic substances increase rates of biochemical processes in assay system.
► Humic substances enhance protective mucous layers on outside of cell walls.