A Review of Whole Organism Bioassays for Assessing the Quality of Soil, Freshwater Sediment, and Freshwater in Canada

• Author(s): Cathy Keddy, J. C. Greene, M. A. Bonnell, Canada. Evaluation and Interpretation Branch, Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. Subcommittee on Environmental Quality Criteria for Contaminated Sites,
• Publisher: Environment Canada, Ecosystem Conservation Directorate, Evaluation and Interpretation Branch
• Pages: 185
• ISBN_10: 0662221559
  ISBN_13: 9780662221555
  
• Language: en

Description:... As part of the effort to clean up contaminated sites in Canada under the national Contaminated Sites Remediation Program, whole organism bioassays were identified as a tool for assessing soil, freshwater sediment, and freshwater quality. This review conducted a comprehensive literature search on toxicological bioassays; identified potential tests for use in contamination assessment; evaluated test suitability; and selected batteries of tests for assessing water, sediment, and soil quality. Potential biological tests were identified through contact with agencies that develop standardized toxicity tests, with researchers involved in toxicity testing around the world, and through review of recent issues of journals publishing articles on toxicity testing and existing bioassay reviews.