Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) have the potential to alter hormone pathways that regulate life processes in humans, vertebrates and invertebrates. Besides xcnobiotics having endocrine effects, there arc naturally occurring estrogenie compounds. The limited number of studies with EDCs in invertebrates is partially due to the fact that their hormonal systems are rather poorly understood in comparison with vertebrates. It is also important, but difficult to discriminate between hormone - mediated and other toxicological modes of action. Data of the potentially adverse impact of EDCs on wildlife species are reviewed.

To test the potential harmfulness of soils fertilized with sludge-based products to plant organisms, a biotest method using the physiological/biochemical reaction of the organisms to assess their toxicity was chosen. This paper presents the results of a preliminary ecotoxicological study of different products: a sludge-based fertilizer, a plant growth promoter, and a reclamation blend. The study was conducted using Sinapis alba L., a plant used in agriculture for intercropping and recommended for toxicological testing. Toxicity tests were performed in a gradient of concentrations of the indicated products (2.5%, 5%, and 10%). For comparison purposes, a trial containing a commercial fertilizer was used alongside the control soil (without additives). The fertilizer and the crop support agent were of low toxicity, but data analysis indicated toxicity of the so-called reclamation blend, which contained heavy metals among other things. The test products showed an increase in toxicity with the increasing dose used. This research represents an important step in assessing the usefulness of products created from sewage sludge and may help overcome the „psychological barrier” that prevents potential investors from investing capital that would allow production to spread.

Atrazine (ATR) is a widely used chlorinated herbicide from the s-triazine group. Due to the widespread use of ATR, it leaks into the environment and is detected in drinking water, exceeding the WHO-acceptable concentration of atrazine in drinking water, which is 2 μg/L. The aim of our study was to determine toxicity, protein degradation and genotoxicity of ATR at concentrations of 10; 1; 0.1; 0.01 mg/L on Chlorella vulgaris and with the application of E. coli bioluminescent biosensor strains. We measured the content of chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids in Chlorella vulgaris and the inhibition of this algae culture growth. E. coli RFM443 strains with gene constructs grpE:luxCDABE, lac:luxCDABE, recA:luxCDABE and E. coli strain MM294 trc:luxCDABE were used to determine toxicity, degradation of cellular proteins and genotoxicity. On the base of the obtained results, we concluded that ATR in the tested concentrations shows a toxic effect in relation to Chlorella vulgaris. ATR is toxic and genotoxic in E. coli RFM443 strains with grpE, lac, recA promoters and causes degradation of cellular proteins. Moreover, we have detected ATR toxicity toward the GFP protein in E. coli strain MM294-GFP. Taking into account the toxicity and genotoxicity of ATR documented in our research and in the experiments of other authors, we conclude that the presence of this herbicide in surface waters and drinking water is a serious threat to living organisms.

Petroleum products are complex mixture of compounds of varied biological properties. They can

cause harmful changes in contaminated ecosystems and threaten humans and living organisms as well. Bioremediation (including bioremediation stimulated by biogenic substances and inoculation with biopreparations

from autochthonous bacteria and fungi) can result in creation of metabolites of a varied structure and biological

activeness, which has been partly recognised. Some of them are more toxic than an initial substrate. Besides,

they might have mutagenic features and be responsible for cancer. Estimation of bioremediation effectiveness in

waste pits was completed with toxicological monitoring. It was led with the use of living organisms as biomarkers representing all trophic levels of a chosen ecosystem: producers, consumers and reducers. This process enables total estimation of natural environment conditions. The aim of the research was to determine the influence

of petroleum contaminants and indirect metabolites (produced during bioremediation) on soil biocenose. The

results of biotests (toxicity, phytotoxicity and genotoxity) have been taken into account. The following biotests,

prepared and produced by Microbiotest, have been applied: PhytotoxkitTM, Ostracodtoxkit FTM, acute toxicity

tests Microtox® Solid Phase and Ames mutagenicity tests. The obtained results enabled observation of changes

in toxic properties during purification of the soil taken from waste pits. In addition, it can be claimed whether

the areas are suitable for forest usage.