Combination of single-species laboratory tests for the assessment of the ecotoxicity of p-Benzoquinone

The combination of 15 single-species laboratory tests (6 bacteria, 1 Dinoflagellate, 5 yeasts, 2 Crustacea, and 1 fish) was used for the assessment of the ecotoxicological effects of p-benzoquinone. Marked differences were observed in the susceptibility among the species since the toxicity values were ranged between 0.020 mg/L (Photobacterium phosphoreum) and >700 mg/L (Candida parapsilosis). These results support the philosophy that for assessing toxicity more thoroughly, a battery of several tests carried out with organisms occupying different trophic levels in the environment is required.