Patterns of metals and arsenic poisoning in Vibrio fischeri bacteria

The Microtox® bioassay was used to establish dose-response curves for some toxic elements in aqueous solutions, namely, Zn(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), Hg(II), Ag(I), Co(II), Cd(II), Cr(VI), As(V) and As(III). Experiments were carried out at either pH 6.0 or pH 7.0 to indicate that pH may influence the measured toxicity of some elements due to pH-related changes of their chemical speciation. EC20 values, which represent a measurable threshold of toxicity, were determined for each element and were found to rank as Pb(II) > Ag(I) > Hg(II) ≈ Cu(II) > Zn(II) > As(V) > Cd(II) ≈ Co(II) > As(III) > Cr(VI). These values were compared to the limit concentrations allowed in industrial wastewater according to the official regulations in Catalonia (Spain). It appears that the Microtox® test is sensitive enough for detecting some of the tested elements with respect to official regulations of Catalonia (Spain) dealing with pollution control, with the exception of cadmium, mercury, arsenate, arsenite and chromate.