SHORT-TERM TOXICITY TEST USING ESCHERICHIA-COLI - MONITORING CO2 PRODUCTION BY FLOW-INJECTION ANALYSIS

Short-term toxicity tests using Escherichia coli were carried out for different stressing agents such as metal ions [Cd(II), Cu(II) and Hg(II)], sediments and one type of antibiotic (Bactrin). Inhibition of the microbial respiration was monitored using flow injection analysis (FIA) with a conductometric detector. Inhibition in the respiration of E. coli suspensions were detected within 20 min for Hg(II) ions and the antibiotic, whereas sediment samples from eutrophic water bodies stimulated CO2 production. © 1990.