Initial testing of a recent biological monitoring concept

A biomonitoring system being developed to monitor effluent from an ammunitions plant in Virginia is described. Initial testing to demonstrate system feasibility has incorporated sodium hypochlorite solutions, chlorinated tap water, and an arbitrary reference mixture as a test effluent. Bluegill sunfish are utilized as biosensors. Ventilatory responses of the fish are examined. Results indicate that the system is feasible for monitoring some petroleum and chlorinated effluents. (6 diagrams, 1 graph, 18 references)