ASTM_E_1924_-_97_2004.pdf

Designation:E 1924 97(Reapproved 2004)Standard Guide forConducting Toxicity Tests with BioluminescentDinoflagellates1,2This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1924;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide covers two distinct procedures,based onsimilar principles,for obtaining data concerning the adverseeffects of a test material(added to dilution water)on oceanicbioluminescent dinoflagellates.1.1.1 The endpoint for both procedures is based on ameasurable reduction or inhibition in light output from thedinoflagellates.Both procedures are similar in that whenbioluminescent dinoflagellates are exposed to toxicants,ameasurable reduction in bioluminescence is observed fromtheir cells following mechanical stimulation when compared tocontrol cells.In the first procedure,cells of the bioluminescentdinoflagellate Gonyaulax polyedra can be tested over a rangeof up to seven days of exposure(or longer)to a toxicant.Thesecond procedure uses another species,Pyrocystis lunula,for a4 h test.1.2 Both procedures can measure the toxic effects of manychemicals,various marine and freshwater effluents,antifoulingcoatings,leachates,and sediments to bioluminescent di-noflagellates(1-5).3Compounds with low water solubility suchas large organic molecules may be solubilized with methanol,ethanol,and acetone solvents for testing(4)(see Guide E 729).1.3 An IC50 in light output(bioluminescence)is the rec-ommended endpoint(1).However,percent inhibition of biolu-minescence is an appropriate endpoint in some cases(5).1.4 Other modifications of these procedures might be justi-fied by special needs or circumstances.Although using appro-priate procedures is more important than following prescribedprocedures,results of tests conducted using unusual proceduresare not likely to be comparable to results of other tests.Comparison of results obtained using modified and unmodifiedversions of these procedures might provide useful informationconcerning new concepts and procedures for conducting acuteand chronic tests.1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:4D 1141 Practice for the Preparation of Substitute OceanWaterD 5196 Guide for Biomedical Grade WaterE 178 Practice for Dealing with Outlying ObservationsE 729 Guide for Conducting Acute Toxicity Tests withFishes,Macroinvertebrates,and AmphibiansE 1192 Guide for Conducting Acute Toxicity Tests onAqueous Ambient Samples and Effluents with Fishes,Macroinvertebrates,and AmphibiansE 1218 Guide for Conducting Static 96-h Toxicity Testswith MicroalgaeE 1733 Guide for Use of Lighting in Laboratory Testing3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:The words“must,”“should,”“may,”“can,”and“might”have very specific meanings in this guide.3.1.1 canis used to mean is(are)able to.3.1.2 mayis used to mean is(are)allowed to.3.1.3 mightis used to mean could possibly.3.1.4 mustis used to express an absolute requirement,thatis,to state that the test ought to be designed to satisfy thespecified condition,unless the purpose of the test requires adifferent design.1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E47 on BiologicalEffects and Environmental Fate and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeE47.01 on Aquatic Assessment and Toxicology.Current edition approved August 1,2004.Published August 2004.Orignallyapproved in 1997.Last previous edition approved in 1997 as E 192497.2This standard Guide is a document developed using the consensus mechanismsof ASTM,that provides guidance for the selection of procedures to accomplish aspecific test but which does not stipulate specific procedures.3The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to a list of references at theend of the text.4For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.1Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.3.1.5 shouldis used to state that the specified condition isrecommended and ought to be met if possible.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 bioluminescenceproduction of light by living organ-isms due to an enzyme-catalyzed chemical reaction.3.2.2 dark phasethat part of the daily cycle(night)whendinoflagellates are not being exposed to ambient light andproduce