Active bioindication

A rapid, nondestructive method based on determination of the spatial distribution of ATP, as a potential bioindicator of microbial presence and activity on monuments, artworks, and other samples related to the cultural heritage, was developed [57], After cell lysis, ATP was detected using the bioluminescent firefly luciferin-luciferase system and the method was tested on different kinds of surfaces and matrices. Figure 3 reports the localization of biodeteriogen agents on a marble specimen. Sample geometry is a critical point especially when a quantitative analysis has to be performed however, the developed method showed that with opti-... 

Elmholt, S. (1996). Microbial Activity, Fungal Abundance, and Distribution of Penicillum and Fusarium as Bioindicators of a Temporal Development of Organically Cultivated Soils. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture 13 123-140. 

Webb, D. and Gagnon, M.M. (2007) Serum sorbitol dehydrogenase activity as an indicator of chemically induced liver damage in black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri). Environ. Bioindicators, 2, 172-182. 

Nowadays, Microtox is the most popular bioassay available that uses bioluminescent bacteria as its active element. Analysts find it a useful tool for assessing pollution in different compartments of the environment, possessing as it does both the advantages of bioindicator techniques and the precision of classic instrumental analysis. Here are some examples of its application ... 

Haselwandter, K., Berrek, M. Brunner, P. (1988). Fungi as bioindicators of radiocaesium contamination pre- and post-Chernobyl activities. Transactions of the British... 

In addition to being found in the nervous system, acetylcholinesterase also occurs in the blood where it is bound to the surface of red blood cells (termed RBC-ChE or RBC-AChE). RBC-AChE activity, as well as the activity of a second type of cholinesterase found in blood plasma (butyrylchoUnesterase, or plasma cholinesterase) have been used to monitor exposure to organophosphate compounds (pesticides and nerve agents). Both RBC-AChE and plasma-ChE activity have been used as bioindicators of potential toxic effects. There is some evidence that RBC-AChE is as sensitive as brain ChE to the effects of nerve agents. Grob and Harvey (1958) reported that the in vitro concentrations producing 50% depression of brain-ChE and RBC-AChE activity were the same in the case of GA (1.5 x 10 mol/L),... 

We speak of active hioindication (biomonitoring) when bioindicators (biomonitors) created in laboratories are exposed in a standardized form in the field for a defined period of time. At the end of this exposure time, the reactions provoked are recorded or the xenobiotics taken up by the organism are analyzed. 

In addition to the similar need for highest representative quality of the sample to be analyzed or to be used as a bioindicator, most general rules and prerequisites of quality control in chemical analysis must be taken into account in biomonitoring activities. During the past 20 years, a strict differentiation between the terms precision (reproducibility) and accuracy (the true value) has been established in chemical analytical research. The practical application of this differentiation makes it possible to determine... 

Bruns, I., Friese, K., Markert, B., Krauss, G.-J., 1997. The use of Fontinalis antipyretica L. ex Hedw. as a bioindicator for heavy metals, 2. Heavy metal accumulation and physiological reaction of Fontinalis antipyretica L. ex Hedw. in active biomonitoring in the river Elbe. Sci. Total Environ. 204, 161-176. 

Among sensitive species of terrestrial invertebrates, earthworms show disrupted enzyme activities at whole body concentrations as low as 28.5 mg Cu/kg DW. Soil copper concentrations between 53.0 and 100.0 mg/kg DW kill soil nematodes and soil faunal communities and cause a reduction in cocoon production of earthworms. Diets that contain between 50.0 and 63.0 mg Cu/kg ration inhibit development and reproduction in gypsy moths and oribatid mites. The wood louse (Porcellio scaber), an isopod, is proposed as a bioindicator of copper contamination in terrestrial ecosystems because whole body concentrations seem to reflect copper loadings in the isopod s immediate environment. More research is recommended on isopods and other sentinel organisms. 

Seawater samples and sea grass Posidonia oceanica were collected along the Spanish Mediterranean coast. The mean activity concentrations for Cs and Cs in surface waters collected fi-om the Spanish Mediterranean shoreline were (4.8 0.2) Bq/m and (0.27 0.01) Bq/m (1987-1991), respectively. Because of its short radioactive decay period, Cs has not been detectable in the Western Mediterranean waters. From 1987 to 1991, the enhancement of radiocesium levels in the Spanish Mediterranean marine environment was observed after the Chernobyl accident. The Cs/ Cs isotopic ratio in Chernobyl fresh deposition was used to identify the weapon-test fallout and Chernobyl deposition components. The mean isotopic ratio Cs/ Cs is 0.057 0.003. The mean Cs/ Cs isotopic ratio of Posidonia oceanica is 0.20 0.04. This value is twice that of the Cs/ Cs ratio (0.11 0.01) observed for water samples from the vicinity of Vandellos NPP. The activity concentration of Cs input into Mediterranean waters as a consequence of the post-Chemobyl deposition is estimated to be (1.16 0.04) Bq/m, which brought about an increase of (33 3)% over the previous levels. Activation and fission products Ru, " Ag, Cs, Cs, and Ce are detected in all samples of Posidonia oceanica. Mean radiocesium levels in the bioindicator were (1.02 0.25) Bq/kg... 

Environmental monitoring is conducted both on and outside the site giving rise to exposure of the pubUc and radionuchdes in the environment. The environmental monitoring programmes include measurements of radiation fields and radionuclide activity concentrations in environmental samples relevant to human exposure, primarily in air, drinking water, agricultural produce and natural foodstuffs, as well as in bioindicators that concentrate radionuclides and provide a measure of trends in activity levels. 

It was evaluated the PAHs effects on the neotropieal fish Oreochromis mossambicus, by enzymatic bioindicators. Expositions carried out with low concentrations of PAH (<0.4-4pg/g) led to sub-lethal toxic effects, observed in the liver of this organism, identified by the increase of the activity of the serum sorbitol dehydrogenase enzyme, which is characterized to be an indicator of damages in the liver. In this way, the authors concluded that the quantification of the EROD (ethoxyresorufm-O-deethylase) and serum sorbitol dehydrogenase enzymes characterize to be an excellent tool to monitor sub-lethal effects in fishes, resulted from pollution by PAHs (Shailaja and D Silva, 2003). 

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