Development of an acute and chronic ecotoxicity assay using <b> <i>lux</i> </b> ‐marked <b> <i>Rhizobium leguminosarum</i> </b> biovar <b> <i>trifolii</i> </b>

Abstract

A soil isolate of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii was marked with a lux CDABE gene cassette to enable the expression of bioluminescence. The suitability of the bacterium as a soil pollution biosensor was assessed using acute and chronic assays. Bacterial bioluminescence responded sensitively to the metals studied. The order of sensitivity was found to be Cd > Ni = Zn > Cu for the acute test and Cd > Ni = Zn = Cu for the chronic test. The sensitive response of the biosensor highlighted its potential for use as an indicator of soil pollution.