Publication Abstract

Effect Directed Analysis: use of in vitro bioassays and chemical analysis to identify causative agents at hot spots in the Elbe, Scheldt and Llobregat rivers

Effect Directed Analysis: use of in vitro bioassays and chemical analysis to identify causative agents at hot spots in the Elbe, Scheldt and Llobregat rivers

The EU project modelkey (EU contract number GOCE 511237) has the overall aim of delivering a decision framework for water managers. A subproject of this overall programme is Keytox, which seeks to identify key toxicants in three water basins; the Elbe, Schelde and Llobregat. In order to do this EDA studies are being carried out on these basins at several sites, using a vast array of bioassays corresponding to a broad range of toxicity syndromes. Following toxicity profiling in the three river basins (presented at last years SETAC meeting), sites have been chosen for further study. Samples from these sites were fractionated and retested, and positive fractions chemically analysed using GC-MS and LC-MS. Results including assay responses and compounds identified will be presented and discussed. The endpoints that will be discussed are; oestrogenic activity using the YES assay, anti-androgenic activity using the anti-YAS and assay and antibiotic activity using the ABC assay.

J.L.Balaam*, S. Pacitto*, P.H. Roberts*, A.J.Smith*, A.Ward*

SETAC Europe, 25th-29th May 2008, Warsaw, Poland