Evaluation of the Hormosira banksii (Turner) desicaine germination and growth inhibition bioassay for use as a regulatory assay.

A germination and growth inhibition bioassay using the marine macroalga, Hormosira banksii, was evaluated for use as a standard method for direct toxicity assessment testing in the Australasian region. H. banksii is the dominant macroalga and an important primary producer in temperate coastal zones of Australasia and is therefore relevant as a test organism.

Effects of antifouling biocides to the germination and growth of the marine macroalga, Hormosira banksii (Turner) Desicaine.

The International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) ban on the use of tributyltin in antifouling paints has inevitability increased the use of old fashioned antifoulants and/or the development of new paints containing 'booster biocides'. These newer paints are intended to be environmentally less harmful, however the broader environmental effects of these 'booster biocides' are poorly known. Germination and growth inhibition tests using the marine macroalga, Hormosira banksii (Turner) Desicaine were conducted to evaluate the toxicity of four new antifouling biocides in relation to tributyltin-oxide (TBTO).

Herbicide impact on Hormosira banksii gametes measured by fluorescence and germination bioassays.

The innovative bioassay described here involves chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements of gametes from the macroalgae, Hormosira banksii, where gametes (eggs) were exposed to Diuron, Irgarol and Bromacil. Response was assessed as percent inhibition from control of effective quantum yield (DeltaF/Fm') of photosystem II, herein referred to as % PSII Inhibition. This was measured with the dual-channelled pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometer, ToxY-PAM.

Assessing the performance of Hormosira banksii (Turner) Desicaine germination and growth assay using four reference toxicants.

This study evaluated the performance of a Hormosira banksii germination inhibition bioassay developed to assess the toxicity of single compounds and complex effluents in the Australasian region. The reproducibility of 48 and 72 h germination and growth toxicity tests was determined using four reference toxicants, namely, ammonia, copper, phenol and zinc. H.