Assessing Ecotoxicity of Aerosol Samples Using Higher Plants as Test Organisms

Plants are widely applied in the assessment of the ecological effects of airborne contaminants, using individual level symptoms such as growth inhibition or leaf injury. The same symptoms can be used in controlled ecotoxicological tests where the dose–effect relationships can be established and a quantitative estimation can be given on the toxic effect. In our study Cucumis sativus L. and Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. test plants were sprayed with the aqueous extract of urban aerosol samples, following the protocol as described by the No. 227 OECD GUIDELINE FOR THE TESTING OF CHEMICALS: Terrestrial Plant Test: Vegetative Vigour Test. After the termination of the test, on Day 21, fresh weight and leaf length were measured as end-points. It was found that the extract elucidated stimulatory effect on both fresh weight and leaf length in case of C. sativus, while L. esculentum remained less responsive. Our results are in concordance with literature data reporting on the nutrient content of atmospheric aerosol.