Mixed flask culture microcosms

Over the last 20 years a variety of multispecies toxicity tests have been developed. These tests, usually referred to as microcosms or mesocosms, range in size from 1 1 (the mixed flask culture) to thousands of liters in the case of the pond mesocosms. A review by Gearing (1989) listed 11 freshwater artificial stream methods, 22 laboratory freshwater microcosms ranging from 0.1 to 8,4001, and 18 outdoor freshwater microcosms ranging from 8 to 18,000,000 1. In order to evaluate and design multispecies toxicity tests, it is crucial to understand the fundamental differences compared to singlespecies tests. A more extensive discussion has been published (Landis, Matthews, and Matthews 1996) and the major points are summarized below. 

Benthic-Pelagic Microcosm Compartmentalized Lake Mixed Flask Culture Microcosm Pond Microcosm Sediment Core Microcosm Ecocore Microcosm Ecocore II Microcosm Standard Aquatic Microcosm Stream Microcosm Waste Treatment Microcosm... 

Summary of Test Conditions for Adaptation of Mixed Flask Culture Microcosms for Testing the Survival and Effects of Introduced Microorganisms... 

Discuss coevolution as a component of the mixed-flask culture microcosm. 

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