Kits for determining sediment and pore water toxicity with dormant zooplankton having dormant life stage

Inventors

Covi, Joseph A.

Assignees

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods for determining the toxicity of fresh-water and marine sediments and sediment pore water containing indigenous or introduced toxicants from each as a one-time analysis and/or for analysis over a period of time. The present disclosure further provides kits assembled for the afore-mentioned determination. The methods and kits of the present disclosure can be used for analyzing sediment and pore water samples from, among other locations, all environments where species having a dormant life stage may exist including, for example, natural zooplankton.

Core Innovation

The invention provides methods and kits for determining the toxicity of indigenous or introduced toxicants in fresh-water and marine sediments, sediment pore water, and terrestrial samples. These methods involve mixing dormant embryos of at least one species having a dormant life stage, typically zooplankton, with a sediment or pore water sample under anoxic or other controlled conditions that maintain dormancy, then hatching the species and observing the developmental outcome, such as deformity or mortality.

The problem addressed by this invention is the lack of methods for determining the chronic toxicity of sediments and pore water to dormant invertebrates over an extended period of time. Existing tests are limited to active or developing animals and are restricted in duration due to the physiological needs of these active invertebrates. Prior to this invention, there appeared to be no method available for evaluating the toxicity of sediment and/or pore water to dormant invertebrates for prolonged observation.

The invention also provides assembled kits that include components such as a plurality of embryos of at least one species having a dormant life stage, dry salt packages (artificial freshwater or seawater mix), incubation containers for inducing or maintaining dormancy, and sterile receptacles for hatching and testing. These kits may further comprise optional materials for separating embryos from sediment or pore water, such as sucrose or other osmolytes, filters or sieves, centrifuge tubes, and instructions for use.

Claims Coverage

There are two independent claims in this patent, each directed to a kit for determining the toxicity of sediment or sediment pore water containing indigenous or supplemented toxicants. The main inventive features are outlined below.

The inventive features focus on kit compositions for sediment and pore water toxicity testing, utilizing dormant life stage embryos, appropriate incubation and hatching containers, and environment-matching reconstitution salts.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications