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Development of an acute and chronic ecotoxicity assay using lux-marked Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii |
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| Authors: | G I Paton G Palmer M Burton E A S Rattray S P McGrath L A Glover & K Killham |
| Institution: | Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK,;Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK,;Department of Soil Science, IACR Rothamsted, Harpenden, Herts, UK |
| Abstract: | A soil isolate of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii was marked with a lux CDABE gene cassette to enable the expression of bioluminescence. The suitability of the bacterium as a soil pollution biosensor was assessed using acute and chronic assays. Bacterial bioluminescence responded sensitively to the metals studied. The order of sensitivity was found to be Cd > Ni = Zn > Cu for the acute test and Cd > Ni = Zn = Cu for the chronic test. The sensitive response of the biosensor highlighted its potential for use as an indicator of soil pollution. |
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