Photocatalytic degradation of phenol using Ag core-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> shell (Ag@TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>) nanoparticles under UV light irradiation

Ag@TiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized by one pot synthesis method with postcalcination. These nanoparticles were tested for their photocatalytic efficacies in degradation of phenol both in free and immobilized forms under UV light irradiation through batch experiments. Ag@TiO₂ nanoparticles were found to be the effective photocatalysts for degradation of phenol. The effects of factors such as pH, initial phenol concentration, and catalyst loading on phenol degradation were evaluated, and these factors were found to influence the process efficiency. The optimum values of these factors were determined to maximize the phenol degradation. The efficacy of the nanoparticles immobilized on cellulose acetate film was inferior to that of free nanoparticles in UV photocatalysis due to light penetration problem and diffusional limitations. The performance of fluidized bed photocatalytic reactor operated under batch with recycle mode was evaluated for UV photocatalysis with immobilized Ag@TiO₂ nanoparticles. In the fluidized bed reactor, the percentage degradation of phenol was found to increase with the increase in catalyst loading.     

Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS) monitoring of the photolysis of diazinon in aqueous solution: Degradation route and toxicity of by-products against Artemia salina

The photolytic degradation of diazinon, an organophosphorus pesticide, in aqueous medium under assorted pH values was continuously monitored by direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The results indicated that the UV radiation was quite efficient in promoting the pesticide degradation at the three pH levels evaluated (5, 7 and 8). The m/z of the most abundant ions observed in the mass spectra (MS), in conjunction with the fragmentation patterns of such ionic species (MS/MS data), made possible the proposition of chemical structures for the main by-products formed. As a result, routes for the photodegradation of diazinon in aqueous solution could thus be suggested. In the assays using Artemia salina (brine shrimp) it was verified that the photodegradation products exhibited much lower toxicity than the primary substrate. Aiming at mimicking the conditions ordinarily found in water treatment plants, an additional series of tests was conducted with a solution containing sodium hypochlorite and diazinon. This solution, when not exposed to UV radiation, exhibited high toxicity against the microorganisms. Under the influence of UV radiation, however, the toxicity rates decreased dramatically. This result is relevant because it points toward the confident application of UV radiation to neutralize the deleterious effects caused by diazinon (and perhaps other organophosphorus pesticides) as well as sodium hypochlorite to the environment.     

Complete mineralization of benzene by a methanogenic enrichment culture and effect of putative metabolites on the degradation

Microbial degradation of benzene under anaerobic conditions plays an important role in remediation of contaminated sites but the microorganisms and metabolic pathways involved remain poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated degradation of benzene by a methanogenic enrichment culture obtained from non-contaminated lotus field soil, alone and in the presence of several putative metabolic intermediates, that is, toluene, benzoate and phenol. Using stable isotope (¹³C) labeled substrate, benzene was shown to be degraded almost completely to equimolar concentrations of methane and carbon dioxide, without detectable accumulation of extracellular metabolites. Concurrently, toluene, benzoate and phenol were also effectively mineralized, but probably by microorganisms other than the benzene degraders. The latter included Hasda-A, which is putative benzene-degrading deltaproteobacterium present in the culture. While toluene and benzoate did not affect benzene degradation, phenol had a moderate inhibitory effect although it was not a major metabolic intermediate of benzene in our culture. Finally, 4-hydroxycoumarin was detected as a compound formed from phenol but further experiments are required to elucidate its relationship to degradation of phenol.     

The role of ferrous ion in Fenton and photo-Fenton processes for the degradation of phenol

The efficiency of different Fenton-related oxidative processes such as Fenton, solar-Fenton and UV-Fenton were examined using phenol as a model compound in simulated and industrial wastewater. A batch study was conducted to optimize parameters like pH, hydrogen peroxide concentration and ferrous ion concentration governing the Fenton process. At optimum conditions, different Fenton-related processes were compared for the degradation of phenol. Increased degradation and mineralisation efficiency were observed in photo-Fenton processes as compared to conventional Fenton process. The maximum mineralising efficiency for phenol with Fenton, solar and UV-Fenton processes were 41%, 96% and 97% respectively. In Fenton process, carboxylic acids like acetic acid and oxalic acid were formed as end products during the degradation of phenol while in photo-Fenton processes, both these ions were identified during the early stages of phenol degradation and were oxidized almost completely at 120 min of the reaction time. In photo-Fenton processes (solar and UV light) complete degradation were observed with 0.4 mM of Fe2+ catalyst as compared to 0.8 mM of Fe2+ in conventional Fenton process. In Fenton and solar-Fenton processes, an iron reusability study was performed to minimize the amount of iron used in treatment process. The efficacy of Fenton and solar-Fenton processes was applied to effluent from phenol resin-manufacturing unit for the removal and mineralisation of phenol.     

Study on the indoor volatile organic compound treatment and performance assessment with TiO2/MCM-41 and TiO2/quartz photoreactor under ultraviolet irradiation

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the cause of indoor air pollution and are readily emitted from furniture and cleaning agents. In Taiwan, the concentrations of indoor VOCs range roughly from 1 to 10 ppm. It is important to effectively reduce indoor VOC emissions and establish the implementation of long-term, low-cost, controlled techniques such as those found in the ultraviolet/titanium dioxide (UV/TiO2) control systems. This study evaluates the performance of a photoreactor activated by visible irradiation and packed with TiO2/quartz or TiO2/mobile catalytic material number 41 (MCM-41). The photocatalysts tested include commercial TiO2 (Degussa P-25) and synthesized TiO2 with a modified sol-gel process. The UV light had a wavelength of 365 nm and contained an 8-W, low-pressure mercury lamp. Reactants and products were analyzed quantitatively by using gas chromatography with a flame-ionization detector. It is important to understand the influence of such operational parameters, such as concentration of pollutant, temperature, and retention time of processing. The indoor concentrations of VOCs varied from 2 to 10 ppm. Additionally, the temperatures ranged from 15 to 35 degrees C and the retention time tested from 2 to 8.2 sec. The results show that quartz with TiO2 had a better photoreductive efficiency than quartz with MCM-41. The toluene degradation efficiency of 77.4% with UV/TiO2/quartz was larger than that of 54.4% with the UV/TiO2/MCM-41 system under 10-min reaction time. The degradation efficiency of the UV/TiO2 system decreased with the increasing concentrations of indoor VOCs. The toluene degradation efficiency at 2 ppm was approximately 5 times greater than that at 10 ppm. The photoreduction rate of the VOCs was also evaluated with the Langmuir-Hinshewood model and was shown to be pseudo-first-order kinetics.     

Photochemical degradation of ciprofloxacin in UV and UV/H2O2 process: kinetics, parameters, and products

Photochemical degradation of fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin (CIP) in water by UV and UV/H₂O₂ were investigated. The degradation rate of CIP was affected by pH, H₂O₂ dosage, as well as the presence of other inorganic components. The optimized pH value and H₂O₂ concentration were 7.0 and 5 mM. Carbonate and nitrate both impeded CIP degradation. According to liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis, four and 16 products were identified in UV and UV/H₂O₂ system, respectively. Proposed degradation pathways suggest that reactions including the piperazinyl substituent, quinolone moiety, and cyclopropyl group lead to the photochemical degradation of CIP. Toxicity of products assessed by Vibrio qinghaiensis demonstrated that UV/H₂O₂ process was more capable on controlling the toxicity of intermediates in CIP degradation than UV process.     

Reduction of toxicity of antimicrobial compounds by degradation processes using activated sludge,gamma radiation,and UV

The occurrence and persistence of pharmacologically active compounds in the environment has been an increasingly important issue. The objectives of this study were to investigate the decomposition of aqueous antimicrobial compounds using activated sludge, γ-irradiation, and UV treatment, and to evaluate the toxicity towards green algae, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, before and after treatment. Tetracycline (TCN), lincomycin (LMC) and sulfamethazine (SMZ) were used as target compounds. Gamma (γ)-irradiation showed the highest removal efficiency for all target compounds, while UV and activated sludge treatment showed compound-dependent removal efficiencies. TCN and SMZ were well degraded by all three treatment methods. However, LMC showed extremely low removal efficiency for UV and activated sludge treatments. Overall, the algal toxicity after degradation processes was significantly decreased, and was closely correlated to removal efficiency. However, in the case of γ-irradiated TCN, UV and activated sludge treated LMC as well as sludge treated SMZ, the observed toxicity was higher than expected, which indicates the substantial generation of byproducts or transformed compounds of a greater toxicity in the treated sample. Consequently, γ-radiation treatment could be an effective method for removal of recalcitrant compounds such as antibiotics.     

Photocatalytic oxidation of organic pollutants on titania-clay composites

TiO2/Ca-montmorillonite composites were prepared by wet grinding in an agate mill. Positively charged TiO2 nanoparticles are bound to the surface of the negatively charged montmorillonite layers via heterocoagulation; the clay mineral is used as adsorbent and support for the photooxidation process. Aquatic solution of 0.5mM phenol was degraded by irradiation with UV-VIS light (lambda=250-440 and 540-590 nm) in suspensions of TiO2-clay composites and significant photodegradation was observed at 40-60% TiO2/Ca-montmorillonite compositions. Synergistic effect was detected at solid/liquid interface for degradation of phenol and at solid/gas interface in the recycling flow reactors for photooxidation of ethanol and toluene vapors.     

Simultaneous Cr(VI) reduction and phenol degradation using Stenotrophomonas sp. isolated from tannery effluent contaminated soil

This study presents simultaneous hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) reduction and phenol degradation using Stenotrophomonas sp., isolated from tannery effluent contaminated soil. Phenol was used as the sole carbon and energy source for Cr(VI) reduction. The optimization of different operating parameters was done using Placket–Burman design (PBD) and Box–Behnken design (BBD). The significant operating variables identified by PBD were initial Cr(VI) and phenol concentration, pH, temperature, and reaction time. These variables were optimized by a three-level BBD and the optimum initial Cr(VI) concentration, initial phenol concentration, pH, temperature, and reaction time obtained were 16.59 mg/l, 200.05 mg/l, 7.38, 31.96 °C and 4.07 days, respectively. Under the optimum conditions, 81.27 % Cr(VI) reduction and 100 % phenol degradation were observed experimentally. The results concluded that the Stenotrophomonas sp. could be used to decontaminate the effluents containing Cr(VI) and phenol effectively.     

Biodegradation of benzene, toluene; and other aromatic compounds by Pseudmonas sp. D8

Pseudmonas sp. D8 strain, which has the potential to utilize toluene as a sole carbon source, was isolated. At a concentration of 100 mg/l, this strain was found to efficiently degrade toluene and benzene (both individually and in mixture) in culture medium at 30°C and pH7. Following a two-hour lag phase, complete biodegradation of 100 mg/l toluene or benzene occurred within 6 to 8 hours. The addition of nitrate, phosphate, or sulfate at various concentrations were found to have significant influence on both toluene and benzene degradation. In addition, results show that the D8 strain has the ability to degrade monochlorophenols, nitrophenols, and phenol, but not aliphatic compounds. Inoculation of groundwater samples containing 100 mg/1 toluene or benzene with Pseudmonas sp. D8 resulted in rapid degradation within 24 33 hours.     

Toxicity of fenamiphos and its metabolites to the cladoceran Daphnia carinata: the influence of microbial degradation in natural waters

The acute toxicity of an organophosphorous pesticide, fenamiphos and its metabolites, fenamiphos sulfoxide, fenamiphos sulfone, fenamiphos phenol, fenamiphos sulfoxide phenol and fenamiphos sulfone phenol, to a cladoceran, Daphnia carinata was studied in both cladoceran culture medium and natural water collected from a local river. The toxicity followed the order: fenamiphos>fenamiphos sulfone>fenamiphos sulfoxide. The hydrolysis products of fenamiphos, F. sulfoxide (FSO) and F. sulfone (FSO(2)) (F. phenol, FSO phenol and FSO(2) phenol) were not toxic to D. carinata up to 500microgl(-1) water, suggesting hydrolysis reaction leads to detoxification. Also the toxicity was reduced in natural water compared to the cladoceran culture medium due to microbial mediated degradation of toxicants in the natural water. Fenamiphos and its metabolites were stable in both cladoceran water and filter-sterilised natural water while these compounds showed degradation in unfiltered natural water implicating the microbial role in degradation of these compounds. To our knowledge this is the first study on acute toxicity of fenamiphos metabolites to cladoceran and this study suggests that the organophosphate pesticides are highly toxic to fresh water invertebrates and therefore pollution with these compounds may adversely affect the natural ecosystems.     

Pulsed discharge plasma induced Fenton-like reactions for the enhancement of the degradation of 4-chlorophenol in water

To sufficiently utilize chemically active species and enhance the degradation rate and removal efficiency of toxic and biorefractory organic pollutant para-chlorophenol (para-CP), the introductions of iron metal ions (Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺) into either pulsed discharge plasma (PDP) process or the PDP process with TiO₂ photo-catalyst were tentatively performed. The experimental results showed that under the same experimental condition, the degradation rate and removal efficiency of para-CP were greatly enhanced by the introduction of iron ions (Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺) into the PDP process. Moreover, when iron ions and TiO₂ were added together in the PDP process, the degradation rate and removal energy of para-CP further improved. The possible mechanism was discussed that the obvious promoting effects were attributed to ferrous ions via plasma induced Fenton-like reactions by UV light irradiation excited and hydrogen peroxide formed in pulsed electrical discharge, resulting in a larger amount of hydroxyl radicals produced from the residual hydrogen peroxide. In addition, the regeneration of ferric ions to ferrous ions facilitates the progress of plasma induced Fenton-like reactions by photo-catalytic reduction of UV light, photo-catalytic reduction on TiO₂ surface and electron transfer of quinone intermediates, i.e. 1,4-hydroquinone and 1,4-benzoquinone.     

Photochemical degradation of atrazine in UV and UV/H2O2 process: pathways and toxic effects of products

The degradation of atrazine in aqueous solution by UV or UV/H₂O₂ processes, and the toxic effects of the degradation products were explored. The mineralization of atrazine was not observed in the UV irradiation process, resulting in the production of hydroxyatrazine (OIET) as the final product. In the UV/H₂O₂ process, the final product was ammeline (OAAT), which was obtained by two different pathways of reaction: dechlorination followed by hydroxylation, and the de-alkylation of atrazine. The by-products of the reaction of dechlorination followed by hydroxylation were OIET and hydroxydeethyl atrazine (OIAT), and those of de-alkylation were deisopropyl atrazine (CEAT), deethyl atrazine (CIAT), and deethyldeisopropyl atrazine (CAAT). OIAT and OAAT appeared to be quite stable in the degradation of atrazine by the UV/H₂O₂ process. In a toxicity test using Daphnia magna, the acute toxic unit (TUa) was less than 1 of TUa (100/EC₅₀, %) in the UV/H₂O₂ process after 30 min of reaction time, while 1.2 to 1.3 of TUa was observed in the UV process. The TUa values of atrazine and the degradation products have the following decreasing order: OIET> Atrazine> CEAT≈CIAT> CAAT. OIAT and OAAT did not show any toxic effects.     

FeAlOx/MMT催化Fenton反应降解高浓度苯酚废水

以蒙脱土为载体制备负载型Fe/Al复合氧化物(FeAlOx/MMT)用于催化Fenton反应降解高浓度苯酚废水。实验结果表明,活性相FeAlOx中Fe/Al摩尔比为0.22时制备所得催化剂对Fenton反应具有最佳活性,且Fe/Al复合氧化物并未嵌入蒙脱土层间。在低温和高pH条件下催化体系存在诱导期,诱导期内FeAlOx/MMT缓释出Fe离子并进而由Fe离子催化溶液中的Fenton反应。通过对非均相催化降解苯酚废水的动力学研究发现,H2O2初始浓度、溶液的pH和反应温度对COD降解效率具有显著影响。调节降解过程中的温度序列和氧化剂引入程序能够缓解高温和高双氧水浓度双重因素耦合导致的HO.自消耗。在优化的降解条件下使用理论用量的H2O2可使得1 g/L的苯酚废水中苯酚降解率达到100%,而COD的降解率则达到97%。     

Transformation and Ecotoxicity of Carbamic Pesticides in Water (5 pp)

Background N-methylcarbamate insecticides are widely used chemicals for crop protection. This study examines the hydrolytic and photolytic cleavage of benfuracarb, carbosulfan and carbofuran under natural conditions. Their toxicity and that of the corresponding main degradation products toward aquatic organisms were evaluated. Methods Suspensions of benfuracarb, carbosulfan and carbofuran in water were exposed to sunlight, with one set of dark controls, for 6 days, and analyzed by 1H-NMR and HPLC. Acute toxicity tests were performed on Brachionus calyciflorus, Daphnia magna, and Thamnocefalus platyurus. Chronic tests were performed on Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, and Ceriodaphnia dubia. Results and Discussion Under sunlight irradiation, benfuracarb and carbosulfan gave off carbofuran and carbofuran-phenol, while only carbofuran was detected in the dark experiments. The latter was degraded to phenol by exposure to sunlight. Effects of pH, humic acid and KNO3 were evaluated by kinetics on dilute solutions in the dark and by UV irradiation, which evidenced the lability of the pesticide at pH 9. All three pesticides and phenol exhibited acute and higher chronic toxicity towards the aquatic organisms tested. Conclusion Investigation on the hydrolysis and photolysis of benfuracarb and carbosulfan under natural conditions provides evidence concerning the selective decay to carbofuran and/or phenol. Carbofuran is found to be more persistent and toxic. Recommendations and Outlook The decay of benfuracarb and carbosulfan to carbofuran and the relative stability of this latter pesticide account for many papers that report the detection of carbofuran in water, fruits and vegetables.     

Toxicity of 56 substances to trees

Toxicity data of substances to higher plants is needed for the purpose of risk assessment, site evaluation, phytoremediation, and plant protection. However, the results from the most common phytotoxicity tests, like the OECD algae and Lemna test, are not necessarily valid for higher terrestrial plants. The willow tree toxicity test uses inhibition of transpiration (aside of growth and water use efficiency) of willow cuttings grown in spiked solutions or soils as end point to quantify toxicity. This overview presents results from 60 studies including 24 new unpublished experiments for 56 different chemicals or substrates. Highest toxicity (EC₅₀ < 1 mg/L) was observed from exposure to heavy metals like copper and cadmium. Also, organotins and free cyanide showed very high toxicity. The toxic effect of chlorophenols on willows was comparable to that on duck weed (Lemna) and green algae, while volatile compounds like chlorinated solvents or benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene had less effect on trees than on these aquatic plants, due to volatilization from leaves and test media. In particular low (g/L range) toxicity was observed for tested nanomaterials. Effects of pharmaceuticals (typically weak acids or bases) depended strongly of the solution pH. Like for algae, baseline toxicity was observed for willows, which is related to the water solubility of the compounds, with absolute chemical activity ranging from 0.01 to 0.1, but with several exceptions. We conclude that the willow tree toxicity test is a robust method for relating uptake, accumulation, and metabolism of substances to the toxicity to trees.     

Photochemical degradation and mineralization of 4-chlorophenol

INTENTION, GOAL, SCOPE, BACKGROUND: Since the intermediate products of some compounds can be more toxic and/or refractory than the original compund itself, the development of innovative oxidation technologies which are capable of transforming such compounds into harmless end products, is gaining more importance every day. Advanced oxidation processes are one of these technologies. However, it is necessary to optimize the reaction conditions for these technologies in order to be cost-effective. OBJECTIVE: The main objectives of this study were to see if complete mineralization of 4-chlorophenol with AOPs was possible using low pressure mercury vapour lamps, to make a comparison of different AOPs, to observe the effect of the existence of other ions on degradation efficiency and to optimize reaction conditions. METHODS: In this study, photochemical advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) utilizing the combinations of UV, UV/H2O2 and UV/H2O2/Fe2+ (photo-Fenton process) were investigated in labscale experiments for the degradation and mineralization of 4-chlorophenol. Evaluations were based on the reduction of 4-chlorophenol and total organic carbon. The major parameters investigated were the initial 4-chlorophenol concentration, pH, hydrogen peroxide and iron doses and the effect of the presence of radical scavengers. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: It was observed that the 4-chlorophenol degradation efficiency decreased with increasing concentration and was independent of the initial solution pH in the UV process. 4-chlorophenol oxidation efficiency for an initial concentration of 100 mgl(-1) was around 89% after 300 min of irradiation in the UV process and no mineralization was achieved. The efficiency increased to > 99% with the UV/H2O2 process in 60 min of irradiation, although mineralization efficiency was still around 75% after 300 min of reaction time. Although the H2O2/4-CP molar ratio was kept constant, increasing initial 4-chlorophenol concentration decreased the treatment efficiency. It was observed that basic pHs were favourable in the UV/H2O2 process. The results showed that the photo-Fenton process was the most effective treatment process under acidic conditions. Complete disappearance of 100 mgl(-1) of 4-chlorophenol was achieved in 2.5 min and almost complete mineralization (96%) was also possible after only 45 min of irradiation. The efficiency was negatively affected from H2O2 in the UV/H2O2 process and Fe2+ in the photo-Fenton process over a certain concentration. The highest negative effect was observed with solutions containing PO4 triple ions. Required reaction times for complete disappearance of 100 mgl(-1) 4-chlorophenol increased from 2.5 min for an ion-free solution to 30 min for solutions containing 100 mgl(-1) PO4 triple ion and from 45 min to more than 240 min for complete mineralization. The photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol was found to follow the first-order law. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that UV irradiation alone can degrade 4-CP, although at very slow rates, but cannot mineralize the compound. The addition of hydrogen peroxide to the system, the so-called UV/H2O2 process, significantly enhances the 4-CP degradation rate, but still requires relatively long reaction periods for complete mineralization. The photo-Fenton process, the combination of homogeneous systems of UV/H2O2/Fe2+ compounds, produces the highest photochemical elimination rate of 4-CP and complete mineralization is possible to achieve in quite shorter reaction periods when compared with the UV/H2O2 process. RECOMMENDATIONS AND OUTLOOK: It is more cost effective to use these processes for only purposes such as toxicity reduction, enhancement of biodegradability, decolorization and micropollutant removal. However the most important point is the optimization of the reaction conditions for the process of concern. In such a case, AOPs can be used in combination with a biological treatment systems as a pre- or post treatment unit providing the cheapest treatment option. The AOP applied, for instance, can be used for toxicity reduction and the biological unit for chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal.     

Decomposition of phenylarsonic acid by AOP processes: degradation rate constants and by-products

The paper presents results of the studies photodegradation, photooxidation, and oxidation of phenylarsonic acid (PAA) in aquatic solution. The water solutions, which consist of 2.7 g dm^?3 phenylarsonic acid, were subjected to advance oxidation process (AOP) in UV, UV/H₂O₂, UV/O₃, H₂O₂, and O₃ systems under two pH conditions. Kinetic rate constants and half-life of phenylarsonic acid decomposition reaction are presented. The results from the study indicate that at pH 2 and 7, PAA degradation processes takes place in accordance with the pseudo first order kinetic reaction. The highest rate constants (10.45?×?10^?3 and 20.12?×?10^?3) and degradation efficiencies at pH 2 and 7 were obtained at UV/O₃ processes. In solution, after processes, benzene, phenol, acetophenone, o-hydroxybiphenyl, p-hydroxybiphenyl, benzoic acid, benzaldehyde, and biphenyl were identified.     

Optimisation of a microbial bioassay for contaminated soil monitoring: bacterial inoculum standardisation and comparison with Microtox assay

This work represents the first step to set up a toxicity testing procedure and to evaluate the sensitivity of the test microorganism to several classes of environmental pollutants. First, three different techniques were employed to standardise the microbial inoculum, then two different toxicity assessment protocols have been compared: Microtox and a dehydrogenase (DHase) activity inhibition test. The main goal was the optimisation of a microbial bioassay based on the dehydrogenase activity (DHase) inhibition in Pseudomonas fluorescens bacterial strain ATCC 13525. Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) was used as electron acceptor and its reduction produces Triphenyl formazane (TPF). The P. fluorescens DHase inhibition bioassay was investigated for being a reliable and rapid method for assessing toxicity. The optimisation of the operating conditions resulted in a repeatable bioassay. Then, P. fluorescens and Vibrio fischeri sensitivity were firstly compared by testing Zn++, one of the reference compounds for Microtox test. In addition, other compounds (Ni++, Cd++, Cu++, phenol) were also tested with both bioassays. A high statistical significance of data was obtained with the logistic curve. The present work has demonstrated that P. fluorescens is as sensitive as Microtox culture (V. fischeri), for some of the metal ions. With reference to organic compounds, the lower sensitivity of P. fluorescens to phenol makes its use difficult in organic polluted samples.