Potential use of biotests in defining toxicity of urban soils polluted with heavy metals

Abstract

The review discusses topical issues of bioassay . Based on the analysis of literature, domestic and foreign experience it suggests possible modern approaches to optimize and unify bioassay techniques that can be used for soil of Almaty. Intensive development, industrial activity, high density of vehicles on the roads contribute to the accumulation of various pollutants in the biosphere. Soil is an essential component of an ecosystem that accumulates chemical pollutants. Among the many pollutants a special place is designated to heavy metals, they bind with inorganic and organic compounds, which increases the overall level of toxicity of the soil. In the context of urban, execution of environmental monitoring to control the in-soil concentrations of pollutants, also assessment of the environmental condition of the territory is an urgent task.