ABSTRACT
The methods for immobilization and de-immobilization of microalgae described in the scientific literature were gradually refined and optimized in Laboratory for Biological Research in Aquatic Pollution (LABRAP) for application with the most currently used algal test species: Selenastrum capricornutum. The Algaltoxkit happened to be finalized in LABRAP almost concurrently with two new invertebrate Toxkits. The Algaltoxkit first validation was based on the following inorganic and organic chemicals: sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, mercuric chloride, cadmium chloride, zinc chloride, lead chloride, copper sulfate, and Aminex, a commercial formulation of the pesticide 2,4,D, manufactured and distributed by the Belgian company Pratex. The new microbiotest was also applied to industrial effluents from the textile industry. Intensive validation research is continuing in LABRAP and is also in progress in several laboratories in different countries to establish the full potential of this promising new Toxkit test.
