| Use: | Assessment of actual or potential biological impacts of contamination. |
Description:
Biological indicators are organisms that are very sensitive to pollutants and other changes in the environment and that can be studied for clues about what is happening in the environment. Changes in genes, cells, tissues, body chemical processes, and basic body functions appear before more severe disturbances occur in populations and ecosystems. These biochemical and molecular effects can be detected as changes in enzyme levels, in structure of cell membranes, and in genetic material, or DNA. Changes at these subcellular levels induce a series of structural and functional responses at the next level of biological organization. For example, complex processes such as hormonal regulation, metabolism, and immune system responses can be impaired. These effects may eventually alter the organism's ability to grow, reproduce, or even survive. All these measurable changes serve as biological indicators of pollutant stress.
Biological indicators offer several types of rather unique information not available from other methods: (1) early warning of environmental damage; (2) the integrated effect of a variety of environmental stresses on the health of an organism and the population, community, and ecosystem; (3) relationships between the individual responses of exposed organisms to pollution and the effects at the population level; (4) early warning of potential harm to human health based on the responses of wildlife to pollution; and (5) the effectiveness of remediation efforts in decontaminating waterways. Analytes:
| 1. Non-Halogenated VOCs | 5. PAHs | 9. Inorganics |
| 2. Non-Halogenated SVOCs | 6. Pesticides/Herbicides | 10. Explosives |
| 3. Halogenated VOCs | 7. Metals | 11. TPHs |
| 4. Halogenated SVOCs | 8. Radionuclides |
Media:
| Soil: | Ground Water: | Surface Water: | Gas/Air: |
| MINIMUM | MINIMUM | MINIMUM | MINIMUM |
| Maximum Depth: | Not Applicable. |
| Production Rate: | Sample is available after an extended wait. |
| Investigation Derived Waste Volume: | Medium volume of waste. |
| Technology Status: | Commercially available technology with moderate field experience. |
| Certification/Verification: | Technology has not participated in CalEPA certification and/or CSCT verification program. |
| Relative Cost per Sample: | Mid-range expense. |
Limitations:
ASTM Standards/EPA Methods:
No applicable ASTM standards or EPA methods are cited for this technology.
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