Applications

Light: Indicator and Predictor

Research Organism: Plankton

Resources & References

Scientific Articles

Applications

Biological Testing (Contaminants Tested on Live Organisms)

Currently, a series of tests are conducted on small marine organisms to determine toxicity by measuring lethal doses. The testing methods are expensive, must be done in a laboratory, and take 48 to 72 hours for results. This test is used to evaluate the relative potency of a chemical or a mixture of chemicals by comparing its effect on a living organism with the effect of a standard preparation on the same type of organism.

QwikLite® 200 Biosensor System

The QwikLite® 200 Biosensor System measures bioluminescence and displays a digital result known as a Biological Impact Number. Bioluminescence is a burst of light resulting from enzymes inside tiny marine organisms (dinoflagellates). Toxicity is determined by measuring the light reduction from the bioluminescent marine dinoflagellates after they have been exposed to possible toxicants. The light emitted is inversely related to toxic stress and decreases rapidly (within 24 hours). This rapid biological test is valuable in the determination of harmful concentrations of potential contaminants.

Immediate Applications