A semistatic microplate-based phytotoxicity test

A novel phytotoxicity test is described herein that employs a microplate equipped with membrane-bottomed wells. This MultiScreen™ (Millipore Corp., Bedford, MA) microplate allows performance of a semistatic algal test, in which test medium is renewed periodically. With such a design, the algal test becomes comparable to other short-term tests used to evaluate chronic toxicity of chemicals and effluents. The EC50s obtained for Cu2+, Cd2+, Cr6+, atrazine, and one leachate sample (municipal sludge incinerator residue) with static and semistatic algal microplate tests were compared in this study. The semistatic microplate test revealed greater sensitivity than did the static microplate test.