Is the bioluminescence inhibition test an appropriate measure?
Hirmann, Doris*,1, Rost, Helmut1, Braun, Rudolf1, Loibner, Andreas1, 1 IFA-Tulln, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 20, Tulln, Austria ABSTRACT- In recent years, microbial bioassays have been suggested as a tool for risk assessment as well as for remediation monitoring of PAH-contaminated sites. Particularly, the bioluminescence inhibition test using the bacterium Vibrio fischeri has been recommended due to its sensitivity, short test duration and, moreover, reliability. Nevertheless, site specific risk assessment is still mainly achieved applying chemical analysis, exclusively. Especially the measurement of 16 priority PAH, suspected to be toxic or even cancerogenic is suggested by the US EPA. Both approaches were applied on a PAH-contaminated soil from a former Austrian railroad sleeper preservation plant in lab-experiments. Bioluminescence inhibition (Dr. Lange LUMISTOX test) measured during the microbial bioremediation of the soil has been correlated with PAH concentrations in soil and in soil
