Toxicity of Anllóns River sediment extracts using microtox and the zucconi phytotoxicity test.

Two methods of environmental toxicological tests were compared and applied to bed sediments of the Anllóns River: the standardized toxicological test based on inhibition of luminescence employing Vibrio fischeri, and a phytotoxicity test, using garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.), water cress (Nasturtium officinalis L.) and annual rye-grass (Lolium multiflorum L.) seeds. In addition, TCLP and HCl extracts were evaluated. The inhibition of luminescence test showed more sensitivity to toxicants than phytotoxicity assays, and no significant correlations were found between them. On the other hand, TCLP metal concentrations (Fe, Al, Zn, Pb, As) were lower than HCl concentrations, but seemed to represent more accurately the phytoavailability of metals to plants.