Publication Abstract

Determination of Dioxin and Dioxin-like Compounds in Sediments from UK estuaries Using a Bioanalytical Approach: Chemical-Activated Luciferase Expression (CALUX) Assay

Determination of Dioxin and Dioxin-like Compounds in Sediments from UK estuaries Using a Bioanalytical Approach: Chemical-Activated Luciferase Expression (CALUX) Assay

M. Hurst, J. Balaam, Y.L. Chan-Man, J. Thain and K.V. Thomas

The DR-CALUX assay has been utilised for the bio-analytical screening of a number of esturine sediments for the dioxin like activity. Both cleaned-up and total sediment extracts were screened. The concentration of the most stable dioxin-like compounds in the cleaned-up sediment extracts was between 1.0 to 106pg TEQ_CALUX g^-1 dry weight.
The majority of sediments contained levels of dioxin-like compounds that were above concentrations that are thought to cause environmental harm. The CALUX bio-analytical approach showed some disparity with the traditional analytical approach. The reasons for these differences have been identified tentatively; firstly, the DR-CALUX assay responds to all dioxin-like compounds, and secondly, it measures non-additive effects. The dioxin-like activity of compounds in sediment total extracts, which contain both labile and stable compounds, were also assessed and were six orders of magnitude higher and then cleaned-up samples. This suggests the vast majority of the total dioxin-like activity is attributable to liable compounds. Overall, the DR-CALUX assay is shown to be a useful tool in the assessment of dioxin-like activity in estuarine sediments.

Reference:

M. Hurst, J. Balaam, Y.L. Chan-Man, J. Thain and K.V. Thomas (2004) Determination of Dioxin and Dioxin-like Compounds in Sediments from UK estuaries Using a Bioanalytical Approach: Chemical-Activated Luciferase Expression (CALUX) Assay. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 49(7-8): 648-658

M. Hurst*, J. Balaam*, Y. L. Chan-Man, J. Thain* and K.V. Thomas*

Marine Pollution Bulletin, 49(7-8): 648-658