Abstract: A portable toxicity tester for use in the field using bioluminescent organisms consisting of a light tight container for housing the necessary flash of light detecting apparatus and the necessary signal processing circuits, digital readout and control panel. A light tight chamber is provided with a removable stirrer assembly which is the stirrer motor housing as well as the light tight cover for the chamber. With the cover removed, a vial containing the necessary inoculated bioluminescence organisms is inserted into a holder in the chamber. Part of the stirrer assembly is a paddle attached to the motor shaft that extends to near the bottom of the vial. The top of the vial holder extends beyond the outer surface of the cover to insure a light tight seal.

Abstract: A method of evaluating marine paints for their ability to inhibit growth attachment of organisms to ship bottoms, to find chemicals toxic to marine fouling organisms and to permit rapid formulation of superior anti-fouling paints, using a bioluminescent microbiological assay. The bottoms of test vials are coated with a paint solution, the paint dried, and identical aliquots of an assay medium containing Pyrocystis lunula cells are added to the tests vials and to identical (but unpainted) control vials. After a preselected settling time, the vials are agitated and their light outputs measured and compared. Any dimuition of light in the test vials, relative to the control vials, in an indication of the anti-fouling characteristics of the paints being tested.

Abstract: An antifouling marine paint having an antibotic active agent which (1) is toxic to gram negative organisms of the genus Oceanospirillum, (2) is relatively insoluble in seawater to permit a slow leaching into the paint-seawater interface, and (3) is non-photolytic, i.e., is not degraded by exposure to sunlight. Further, when used with a copper base antifouling paint, the antibiotic must not be broken down by the copper in the paint. The antibotic may be selected from the group consisting of chloramphenicol, erythromycin, neomycin, and streptomycin.

Abstract: A tough mutant strain of the bioluminescent marine dinoflagellate pyrocys lunula which produces almost three times more light than its predecessor Pyrocystis lunula strain, which can withstand much more centrifugal force than its predecessor, and which grows faster than its predecessor in a defined medium under laboratory conditions, doubling about every four days, and requiring only monthly transfers.

Abstract: A microbiological assay based on bioluminesce employing the bioluminescent dinoflagellate Pyrocystis lunula. An oil well drilling fluid sample is prepared according to E. P. A. procedures to obtain a suspended particulate phase sample. An aliquot of the sample is added to a growth medium containing Pyrocystis lunula in suspension. The mixture is agitated to subject the Pyrocystis lunula to a shear stress. Light emitted as a result of the shear stress on the Pyrocystis lunula is measure and compared with a control to determine if there is diminution of light produced by the Pyrocystis lunula in the mixture. Diminution of light production is an indication of the presence of a toxic substance in the sample.

Abstract: A stable, inexpensive and easily constructed photometer consisting of a cercial intergrated photodetection assembly, complementary solid-state operational amplifiers and a solid-state power supply for use in the detection and quantification of low level light emissions from bioluminescence organisms and for the detection of the absence of bioluminescence. Means are provided for controlling the sensitivity of the system as well as providing for direct readout or intergration of the detected signals where they are intermittent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly detecting toxicants via the use of a ft CO.sub.2 sensing cell and a second reference CO.sub.2 sensing cell, with each sensing cell including a first chamber and a second chamber, separated by a CO.sub.2 permeable membrane, and a pH sensor disposed in each of the second chambers. The method includes the step of placing distilled water in the first chamber of each cell, and allowing its dissolved CO.sub.2 to become equilibrated with the water in the second chamber, from which it is separated by the CO.sub.2 permeable membrane. Next, exact amounts of a microorganism and sugar are added to small dishes in the first chambers along with control vegetation for one dish and vegetation to be tested to the other dish. Then the first chambers are completely filled with distilled water and the dishes are agitated to facilitate a solution of microorganisms and sugar.