The application of bioassay techniques to water pollution problems — The United Kingdom experience

The quality of the aquatic environment has long been assessed by chemical analyses and by biological surveillance of plant and animal communities. More recently, the biological response of living organisms has been used to evaluate the environmental impact of aqueous wastes.Laboratory tests on single species have been used widely to evaluate the acute effects of potential pollutants. However, the value of such tests, often conducted on exotic species, is receiving increasing criticism. Measurements of more subtle chronic sub-lethal effects are now showing increasing promise as regulatory tools in environmental assessment and pollution control. The paper reviews the techniques being used, and those currently under development for, the water pollution control authorities in the UK. Practical examples of applications are provided and the future value of bioassays is discussed.