Dialuminium chloride pentahydroxide

Toxicity to microorganisms

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

toxicity to microorganisms

Type of information:

migrated information: read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

1987

Reliability:

4 (not assignable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: see 'Remark'

Remarks:

A clear guideline was followed, however little data on the substance identity and test organisms was presented so it is not 100% sure that the Al2(SO4)3, was the actual measured toxicant. Also no control group was used so effects, although a slim chance) might also be due to other conditions.

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: Romanenko, V. I., Velichko, I. A.: Effect of chromium ions on vital activity of bacteria and algae. In: The biology of inIand waters, No. 21 (in Russian). Nauka, leningrad, 1974: 12. 8.

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: Romanenko, V. I., zhonson , T. D., Mikryakov, V. R.: Methods of utilizing heterotrophic assimilation of CO2 in determining the effect of pesticides on vital actiVity of bacteria. In: The biology of inland waters, 44. (In Russian). Nauka, Leningrad, 197

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: Panasenkov, Yu. V.: Determination of the effect of sewage waters of a cellulose plant on natural microbial water coenoses according to absorption of 14-CO2 In: The biology of inland waters, 61. (In Russian) Nauka, Leningrad, 1983: 7.

Principles of method if other than guideline:

exposure time is 24h

GLP compliance:

not specified

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Details on sampling:

After exposure and fixing with Lugol's solution, 5 filters
were obtained from each bottle. To remove the labelled carbonate adsorbed on the surface of
the bacterial cells and the ultrafilters, they were washed in 3 % HCI solution. Then the filters
were dried. After that, no sorption of labelled carbonate was observed on the filter and the
surface of the cells.

Vehicle:

not specified

Details on test solutions:

The water taken from the reservoir is
distributed into 20-litre tanks into which aluminium sulphate is added in concentrations of
0.1, 1, 10 and 100 mI/L, respectively.

Test organisms (species):

aerobic microorganisms

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

24 h

Nominal and measured concentrations:

nominal: 0.1, 1.0, 10, 100 mg/L

Details on test conditions:

The experiment is arranged in two parallels, i.e.,
there are two tanks of each concentration. After a fixed period (the experiment takes 24
hours), water samples are collected from the tanks for inoculation on nutrient media to
assess the amount off saprophytes (standard method) and to determine heterotrophic
assimilation and intensity of photosynthesis. The assessment of the amount of saprophytic
microflora is carried out on 10 Petri dishes for each concentration.

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Duration:

24 h

Dose descriptor:

LOEC

Effect conc.:

1 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth inhibition

Duration:

24 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

8 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth inhibition

Reported statistics and error estimates:

According to these values and using V. 1. Romanenko's correlations
it was possible to calculate bacterial production. Statistical analysis of the obtained data
consisted in the calculation of the means and the value of the P > 0.95 confidence interval
using the methods of biological statistics. Statistical analyses of the values of radioactivity
of the bacteria have shown that the values of confidence intervals are negligible.
This justified the omission of a more detailed analysis of the obtained results.

Results of our studies demonstrate that the concentrations of 0.1 and 1 mg/L have no effect on the microorganisms while the concentration of 10 mg/L reduces the number of saprophytes by 60 %. It can be seen that even a concentration

of 1 mg/L of aluminium sulphate has some influence on the fixation of labelled carbonic acid by microorganisms. Further increase in the concentration of the toxicant leads to a decrease in CO2 absorption. On the basis of results

of the experiment, it can be stated that the concentration of aluminium sulphate which has no effect on natural microcoenosis (inactive concentration) amounts to 1 mg/L. The threshold concentration of the toxicant can be found within the interval between 1 and 10 mg/L.

At the mentioned concentration, heterotrophic fixation of 14-CO2 by microorganisms

decreased by 50 % and the number of saprophytes decreased by 60 %.

This confirms once again the possibility of using the radiocarbon method of estimating

bacterial production in water toxicology. The effect of the concentration of 100 mg/L on the microbial coenosis is

so much greater that it causes its destruction.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not applicable

Conclusions:

The EC50 was determined to be 8 mg/L, the LOEC was determined to be 1 mg/L nominal. The usebalitlity of the data for risk assessment purposes is questionable due to the missing substance indentity data and the fact that no control group was used. It is therefore adviced to use this data only as supporting and not as keystudy.

Executive summary:

The methods of determining the effect of chemical compounds on the processes of

microbial self-cleaning of waters are mainly based on the calculation of the number of indicator

microorganisms grown after being incubated on complex nutrient media following exposure of the

waters with the substances under study. These methods examine the reaction of specific

microorganisms under conditions rather different from those really existing in the water

reservoir. The author proposes to use the method of heterotrophic assimilation of CO2 for the

determination of the activity of natural bacterial associations in the study of the effect on

them of both multicomponent sewage waters of industrial plants and specific chemical compounds.

The determination of the values of bacterial productivity according to heterotrophic assimilation

of CO2 by natural microbial coenosis was used as the criterion of the effect of the toxicant..

Toxicity of the substance under study is evaluated according to its inhibitory effect on the

production of natural bacteriocoenosis (test object). Field of application: water toxicology,

supervision of toxicity of aqueous media, evaluation of the quality of water.

Standard experiment examining the effect of aluminium sulphate on natural bacterial

coenosis is considered an example. It has been demonstrated that the effect of aluminium

sulphate begins to be felt in concentrations starting from 1 mg/L. Statistical analysis

of results was carried out by calculating the mean value and confidence intervals (EC50 was determined to be 8 mg/L, nominal).

The investigations have shown that application of the method of heterotrophic assimilation

of CO2 for these purposes is feasible and of considerable interest with a view to its high

sensitivity and precision.

Reference 2

Endpoint:

toxicity to microorganisms

Type of information:

migrated information: read-across based on grouping of substances (category approach)

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

1997

Reliability:

4 (not assignable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: No information on substance identity, method is not completely reproducable, so the presented data is not reliable enough to be a key data point.

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

GLP compliance:

not specified

Analytical monitoring:

not required

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

Stock solutions were made immediately before the experiment by
dissolving aluminium potassium sulphate, copper sulphate, and zinc
sulphate in Chalkley's medium to give the required concentrations.

Test organisms (species):

other: Aspidisca cicada and Vorticella convallaria

Details on inoculum:

The Aspidisca cicada culture line was initiated from a single cell isolated
from a sample of activated sludge from Davyhulme sewage
treatment works, Manchester (North West Water Authority). Vorticella
convallaria also originated from Davyhulme sewage treatment
works, but had been isolated some years earlier (Sciento, Manchester,
U.K.). Cultures of both species were grown in Chalkley's medium
supplemented with boiled grass seed, at 20°C.

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

2 h

Nominal and measured concentrations:

nominal: 0.50, 1.00, 2.00 ppm

Details on test conditions:

Low and high test concentrations were chosen that would induce a
sublethal response in the population, and that would be toxic, without
killing all the cells, respectively. Aspidisca cicada cells free of
contamination were resuspended in at least 30 ml of Chalkley's
medium with (0.50, 1.00, or 2.00 ppm of metal solution) or without
(control) metals to give a suspension of 2000 cells/ml. Vorticella convallaria cells free of contamination were
resuspended in at least 30 ml of medium, with or without metals as
above to give a suspension of 1000 cells/ml. Cell densities were
determined by counting all cells present, using a Sedgewick-rafter
counting chamber (n = 3). Dead cells lysed very quickly whereas in
live cells the cilia or cirri were moving.

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Duration:

2 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

1.1 other: ppm

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

dissolved

Remarks:

aluminium

Basis for effect:

other: survival

Remarks on result:

other: A. cicada

Duration:

2 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

1.3 other: ppm

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

dissolved

Remarks:

Aluminium

Basis for effect:

other: survival

Remarks on result:

other: V. convallaria

Details on results:

EC50 values were determined by the reviewer by performing mono variable lineair regression for both species

Mean aluminium levels were very low in control cells, but significantly higher in cens treated with 0.50 ppm aluminium. Cells treated with 2.00 ppm aluminium solution had even higher mean detectable aluminium, although this was not statistically significant, because two of the fifteen cells analysed had very high concentrations of aluminium (6.30 and 15.90 mg/g of dry weight). The calcium concentrations decreased in cells treated with 0.50 ppm aluminium and still further in 2.00 ppm aluminium. However, this was not significant. Silicon increased significantly in cells treated with 2.00 ppm aluminium, but not in cells treated with 0.50 ppm aluminium. In cells treated with 0.50 ppm aluminium solution, sulphur increased and chlorine decreased significantly from the control.

After 0.50 ppm or 2.00 ppm aluminium treatment, aluminium concentrations were significantly higher in treated cells than the control. However, significantly more aluminium was detected in cells treated with 0.50 ppm aluminium than in those treated with 2.00 ppm aluminium. Magnesium was significantly lower in cells treated with 2.00 ppm aluminium than in the control. On the other hand, after 2.00 ppm aluminium treatment, chlorine, copper, and silicon concentrations were significantly higher than in the control

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not applicable

Conclusions:

The toxicity of aluminium was determined after 2h exposure to A. cicada and V. convallaria. Survival was chosen as endpoint with EC50 (determined by reviewer) values 1.1 and 1.3 ppm (nominal), respectively. The data are not reliable enough to be used as keydata in a risk assessment due to the lack of substance indetity and because the method is not completely reproducable.

Executive summary:

This study focused on two species of ciliate protozoa, Aspidisca cicada and Vorticella convallaria, both common and abundant in activated sludge. Elemental changes in cells exposed to aluminium, copper, and zinc were determined by scanning electron microscopy-electron probe X-ray microanalysis. X-ray emission spectra obtained from cells 2 h after resuspension in Chalkley's medium (control) showed clear, characteristic peaks for magnesium, silicon, phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, and copper. These elements were also routinely detected in all cells resuspended in metal solution. Spectra obtained from cells treated with aluminium or zinc showed additional distinct peaks for aluminium and zinc. In copper-treated cells enhanced copper peaks were seen. Mean aluminium levels were low in A. cicada control cells (0.14 mg/g of dry weight) but higher in cells treated with 0.50 ppm (0.69 mg/g of dry weight) and 2.00 ppm aluminium (2.07 mg/g of dry weight). A. cicada was ten times more sensitive to copper than to the other metals, and than V. convallaria. After treatment with 0.50 ppm and 2.00 ppm aluminium, aluminium was significantly higher in the treated V. convallaria cells (1.58 and 0.67 mg/g of dry weight, respectively) than in control cells (0.14 mg/g of dry weight). Data on other changes in intracellular elements in both species, after 2 h exposure to aluminium medium are given. In both species, there was uptake and/or accumulation of aluminium when the external concentration of the metal was increased. Intracellular elemental levels were altered by sublethal and toxic external concentrations of the metals studied. The toxicity of aluminium was determined after 2h exposure to A. cicada and V. convallaria. Survival was chosen as endpoint with EC50 (determined by reviewer) values 1.1 and 1.3 ppm (nominal), respectively.

Reference 3

Endpoint:

activated sludge respiration inhibition testing

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Guideline study according to GLP

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 209 (Activated Sludge, Respiration Inhibition Test

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Analytical monitoring:

no

Vehicle:

no

Test organisms (species):

activated sludge, domestic

Details on inoculum:

- Laboratory culture: yes, Municipal activated sludge taken from a laboratory wastewater treatment plant fed with municipal sewage.
- Preparation of inoculum for exposure: The inoculum was washed, brought to a concentration of 5 g/L dry substance and aerated during the night. 50 ml were added to a total volume of 250 ml to obtain a concentration of 1 g/L dry substance in the test.

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

180 min

Test temperature:

20 ± 2 °C

Dissolved oxygen:

Oxygen concentration during aeration: > 2,5 mg/l
Oxygen concentration immediately before measurement: > 6,5 mg/l

Nominal and measured concentrations:

0, 62.5, 125, 250, 500, 1000 mg/l nominal

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Test vessel: Erlenmeyer-vessel (nominal volume 250 ml)
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): 1
- No. of vessels per control (replicates): 3

TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water:
Synthetic medium: 8 ml/vessel 100-fold concentrated OECD medium

Reference substance (positive control):

yes

Remarks:

dichlorophenol

Duration:

180 min

Dose descriptor:

EC10

Effect conc.:

> 1 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

inhibition of total respiration

Remarks:

respiration rate

Duration:

180 min

Dose descriptor:

EC10

Effect conc.:

> 200 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

element

Remarks:

Al

Basis for effect:

inhibition of total respiration

Remarks:

respiration rate

Duration:

180 min

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 1 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

inhibition of total respiration

Remarks:

respiration rate

Duration:

180 min

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 200 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

element

Remarks:

Al

Basis for effect:

inhibition of total respiration

Remarks:

respiration rate

Results with reference substance (positive control):

satisfactory

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Executive summary:

This 3h-static test was performed according to OECD guideline 209, under GLP, using activated sludge from domestic source. The test was conducted to evaluate the toxicity of aluminium chloride.

The EC50 based on nominal concentrations and based on respiration rate was found to b e above 200 mg/L.

Reference 4

Endpoint:

activated sludge respiration inhibition testing

Type of information:

migrated information: read-across based on grouping of substances (category approach)

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

25 February 2010

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: The study has been performed according to OECD and/or EC guidelines and according to GLP principles.

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 209 (Activated Sludge, Respiration Inhibition Test

Deviations:

no

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

EU Method C.11 (Biodegradation: Activated Sludge Respiration Inhibition Test)

Deviations:

no

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

ISO 8192 (Water quality - Test for inhibition of oxygen consumption by activated sludge for carbonaceous and ammonium oxidation)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Analytical monitoring:

no

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

The batch of 202028/A tested was a clear colourless liquid and was treated as 100% pure.
A stock solution of 0.5 g/l was prepared by adding 125.4 mg test substance to 250 ml of Milli-RO water (tap water purified by reverse osmosis; Millipore Corp., Bedford, Mass., USA). Thorough mixing (15 minutes) was used to accelerate dissolution and to ensure homogeneity. Volumes of the clear colourless stock solution, without flocks, corresponding to the test concentration were then added to the test media. A concentration of 100 mg/l was tested in duplicate. Optimal contact between the test substance and test medium was ensured applying continuous aeration and stirring during the 3-hour exposure period.

Test organisms (species):

activated sludge of a predominantly domestic sewage

Details on inoculum:

The sludge was coarsely sieved, washed and diluted with ISO-medium. A small amount of the sludge was weighed and dried overnight at ca. 105°C to determine the amount of suspended solids (4.0 g/l of sludge, as used for the test). The pH was 7.8 on the day of testing. The batch of sludge was used one day after collection; therefore 50 ml of synthetic sewage feed was added per litre of activated sludge at the end of the collection day. The sludge was kept aerated at test temperature until use.

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

yes

Total exposure duration:

3 h

Post exposure observation period:

Oxygen consumption was measured and recorded for approximately 10 minutes after the 3 hours exposure period.

Test temperature:

between 18.5 and 19.1°C

pH:

between 7.8 and 8.0

Dissolved oxygen:

Oxygen consumption:
Control series:66-68 mg O2/l/h
Test substance series: 63-66 mg O2/l/h
The oxygen concentration at the start of measurements was at least 7.2 mg O2/l

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Nominal concentration: 100 mg/l

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Type (delete if not applicable): open
- Material, size, headspace, fill volume: All glass, approximately 300 ml oxygen bottles (measuring) and
1 litre test bottles(exposure)
- Aeration:During exposure with clean, oil-free air
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates):2
- No. of vessels per control (replicates):2/ series
- Biomass loading rate:1.6 g/l suspended solids in final test mixture

TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: Tap-water purified by reverse osmosis (Milli-RO water)
EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) : The respiration rate from each vessel, in mg O2/l/hr, was calculated from the linear part of the respiration curve, which was generally between 2.5 and 6.5 mg O2/l.

TEST CONCENTRATIONS
- Test concentrations: limit study at 100 mg/l

Reference substance (positive control):

yes

Remarks:

(3,5-dichlorophenol)

Duration:

3 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 100 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

inhibition of total respiration

Remarks:

respiration rate

Duration:

3 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 4.4 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

element

Remarks:

Al

Basis for effect:

inhibition of total respiration

Remarks:

respiration rate

Duration:

3 h

Dose descriptor:

EC10

Effect conc.:

> 100 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

inhibition of total respiration

Remarks:

respiration rate

Duration:

3 h

Dose descriptor:

EC10

Effect conc.:

> 4.4 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

element

Remarks:

Al

Basis for effect:

inhibition of total respiration

Remarks:

respiration rate

Details on results:

No significant inhibition of respiration rate of the sludge was recorded at 100 mg 202028/A per litre. The duplicate measurement confirmed the result of the first measurement. Therefore, no further testing was needed. Hence, the EC50 of 202028/A exceeded 100 mg/l (based on nominal concentrations).

Results with reference substance (positive control):

Results with reference substance valid: Yes
The inhibitory effect of 3,5-dichlorophenol on aerobic waste water (activated sludge) bacteria increased with increased with increasing concentration , ranging from a 29 % inhibition at 5.0 mg/l to 84 % at 30 mg/l. Relevant effects levels: The EC50 of 3,5-dichlorophenol was: 9.0 mg/l

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

Under the conditions of this present test, 202028/A was not toxic to waste water (activated sludge) bacteria at 100 mg/l. The 3-hour EC50 of 202028/A exceeded 100 mg/l (based on nominal concentrations).
Based on aluminum element the EC50 and EC10 are greater than 4.4 mg/l (total Al).

Executive summary:

This 3h-static test was performed according to OECD guideline 209 and EU method C.11 and according to GLP, on activated sludge of predominantly domestic sewage to evaluate the toxicity of Polyaluminium chloride hydroxide sulphate

Under the conditions of this present test, Polyaluminium chloride hydroxide sulphate was not toxic to activated sludge bacteria at 100 mg/l.

The 3-hour EC50 of Polyaluminium chloride hydroxide sulphate exceeded 100 mg/L (based on nominal concentrations). Based on aluminum element the EC50 and EC10 are greater than 4.4 mg/L (total Al).

Description of key information

OECD guideline 209, GLP, key study, validity 1 (Schwarz, 2008), aluminium chloride:

3h-EC10 (respiration rate) > 200 mg/L (based on nominal concentrations of the Al element).

Key value for chemical safety assessment

EC50 for microorganisms:

200 mg/L

Additional information

Four read-across studies are available to determine the toxicity of the registered substance to microorganisms. One key study on Polyaluminium chloride hydroxide sulphate, another key study on aluminium chloride, one supporting study on aluminium potassium sulphate and one supporting study on aluminium sulphate.

1) This 3h-static test was performed according to OECD guideline 209 and EU method C.11 and according to GLP, on activated sludge of predominantly domestic sewage to evaluate the toxicity of Polyaluminium chloride hydroxide sulphate. Under the conditions of this present test, Polyaluminium chloride hydroxide sulphate was not toxic to activated sludge bacteria at 100 mg/l. The 3-hour EC50 of Polyaluminium chloride hydroxide sulphate exceeded 100 mg/L (based on nominal concentrations). Based on aluminum element the EC50 and EC10 are greater than 4.4 mg/L (total Al).

2) This 3h-static test was performed according to OECD guideline 209, under GLP, using activated sludge from domestic source. The test was conducted to evaluate the toxicity of aluminium chloride. The EC50 based on nominal concentrations and based on respiration rate was found to be above 200 mg/L.

3) This study focused on two species of ciliate protozoa,Aspidisca cicadaandVorticella convallaria, both common and abundant in activated sludge. Elemental changes in cells exposed to aluminium, copper, and zinc were determined by scanning electron microscopy-electron probe X-ray microanalysis. X-ray emission spectra obtained from cells 2 h after resuspension in Chalkley's medium (control) showed clear, characteristic peaks for magnesium, silicon, phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, and copper. These elements were also routinely detected in all cells resuspended in metal solution. Spectra obtained from cells treated with aluminium or zinc showed additional distinct peaks for aluminium and zinc. In copper-treated cells enhanced copper peaks were seen. Mean aluminium levels were low in A. cicada control cells (0.14 mg/g of dry weight) but higher in cells treated with 0.50 ppm (0.69 mg/g of dry weight) and 2.00 ppm aluminium (2.07 mg/g of dry weight).A. cicadawas ten times more sensitive to copper than to the other metals, and thanV. convallaria. After treatment with 0.50 ppm and 2.00 ppm aluminium, aluminium was significantly higher in the treated V. convallaria cells (1.58 and 0.67 mg/g of dry weight, respectively) than in control cells (0.14 mg/g of dry weight). Data on other changes in intracellular elements in both species, after 2 h exposure to aluminium medium are given. In both species, there was uptake and/or accumulation of aluminium when the external concentration of the metal was increased. Intracellular elemental levels were altered by sublethal and toxic external concentrations of the metals studied. The toxicity of aluminium was determined after 2h exposure to A. cicada and V. convallaria. Survival was chosen as endpoint with EC50 (determined by reviewer) values 1.1 and 1.3 ppm (nominal), respectively.

4) The methods of determining the effect of chemical compounds on the processes of microbial self-cleaning of waters are mainly based on the calculation of the number of indicator microorganisms grown after being incubated on complex nutrient media following exposure of the waters with the substances under study. These methods examine the reaction of specific microorganisms under conditions rather different from those really existing in the water

reservoir. The author proposes to use the method of heterotrophic assimilation of CO2 for the determination of the activity of natural bacterial associations in the study of the effect on them of both multicomponent sewage waters of industrial plants and specific chemical compounds. The determination of the values of bacterial productivity according to heterotrophic assimilation of CO2 by natural microbial coenosis was used as the criterion of the effect of the toxicant.. Toxicity of the substance under study is evaluated according to its inhibitory effect on the production of natural bacteriocoenosis (test object). Field of application: water toxicology, supervision of toxicity of aqueous media, evaluation of the quality of water. Standard experiment examining the effect of aluminium sulphate on natural bacterial coenosis is considered an example. It has been demonstrated that the effect of aluminium sulphate begins to be felt in concentrations starting from 1 mg/L. Statistical analysis of results was carried out by calculating the mean value and confidence intervals (EC50 was determined to be 8 mg/L, nominal). The investigations have shown that application of the method of heterotrophic assimilation of CO2 for these purposes is feasible and of considerable interest with a view to its high sensitivity and precision.