11. December 2018, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology

Video tutorial on the combined algae assay

Herbicides are an important group of micropollutants and are regularly found in Swiss surface waters. The substances are used as pesticides or biocides and can harm algae in surface waters. Because algae are at the basis of the food chain, the entire ecosystem can thus be affected.

Algae can be used in bioassays for the integrated detection of herbicides in surface waters. The established OECD and ISO assays determine algae growth after contact with the water sample. In contrast, the combined algae assay in addition measures photosynthesis inhibition as a more specific effect and thus provides results significantly faster. The test is carried out in microtitre plates that are small and cost-effective. More details on the test procedure can be found in the video tutorial.

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