Bongkoch Tongsadayu. Application of dehydrogenase assay for sediment hazardous assessment in Songkhla Lake basin. Master's Degree(Technology of Environmental Management). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2007.
Application of dehydrogenase assay for sediment hazardous assessment in Songkhla Lake basin
Abstract:
Toxicity assessment of natural sediment samples collected from 37 stations in Songkhla Lake basin
was conducted. For the purpose, dehydrogenase enzyme activity inhibition (DHA) method using bacteria
Bacillus cereus TISTR 687 was chosen. Two different test phases, i.e. elutriate and whole sediment phases,
were tested. Suitable test procedure and conditions, including bacterial suspension preparation, as well as pH
and salinity levels, respectively were determined. In addition, physical and chemical properties of sediment
samples were determined, including particle size distribution, pH, organic content, cation exchange capacity,
salinity and electrical conductivity.
The results indicated that the time required to obtain suitable density of bacterial suspension was 2
hours 30 minutes, which represents growth in middle log phase (exponential phase). The pH levels 7 and 8
were found to be the most suitable pH range for the DHA method, while inhibition effects on enzyme
activities of B. cereus were not observed at salinity up to 10 ppt. For sediment toxicity assessment, four
toxicity levels were ranked using centroid hierarchical cluster analysis. Results obtained from whole
sediment phase seemed to be able to indicate a higher number of toxic sediment samples than those from
elutriate phase. From all the sampling stations, 14, 10 and 13 sites were found non toxic, slightly toxic and
highly toxic, respectively. Most of those stations with apparent toxicity were located in tributaries of
Songkhla Lake Basin. The results obtained from elutriate phase revealed a non toxic condition in most
sediment samples. Sediment samples from 2 stations were found slightly toxic, while those from other 2
stations were found moderately toxic. Only one sample was considered highly toxic. Most of these stations
were located in tributaries of Thale Luang area.
The overall relatively higher toxicity of sediment samples obtained from the tributaries of the
Songkhla Lake Basin compared to samples from the main lake areas. Thale Noi, Thale Luang and Songkhla
Lake implied the possibility of excessive human influence in the tributaries area. Although chemical
contamination determination revealed low contamination levels mostly below the standard values in all
stations, the results from dehydrogenase enzyme activity inhibition (DHA) method using B. cereus could
indicate sites that are prone to produce serious environmental problems. Therefore, this biotest method
should be incorporated into a monitoring plan in other risk areas so that potential health hazards to their
population, as well as to the environment, could be lessened.