CREATION OF AN EXPRESS WATER-TOXICITY MONITORING SYSTEM FOR
SPACEFLIGHT CONDITIONS (TOKSICHNOST)
Research Area: Microbial Populations in Spacecraft
Expedition(s): 8-10
Principal Investigator(s): ● Tatiana A. Alekhova, PhD, Lomonosov Moscow
State University, Moscow, Russia
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Creation of an Express Water-Toxicity Monitoring System for
Spaceflight Conditions (Toksichnost’) evaluates water toxicity in
spaceflight conditions. This investigation was performed on water
samples obtained from the ISS condensate water processor
(downstream from the purification units, before the addition of
preservatives), as well as on water samples delivered from Earth,
for comparative analysis.
SPACE BENEFITS
The results of Toksichnost’ (the method for integral evaluation of
the toxicity of water and water solutions) will have great practical
significance for assuring safety and supporting the health of
cosmonauts during long-term spaceflights.
RESULTS
The experiment confirmed the viability of the method of express
environmental monitoring designed for an integrated evaluation of
the aqueous solutions and water without preservatives in
microgravity through measuring the illumination intensity changes of the Ecolyum microbial
biosensor as it interacts with substances in the sample test tube, as compared against a
standard. The results of the first session of the experiment (ISS-Expedition 8) were used to
improve experimental technique with regard to collecting water samples. It was found to be
necessary to mechanically mix the solution being studied, which consisted of 2 liquids of nearly
identical density, to provide the required homogeneity in microgravity. Analyses of water
samples returned to Earth and control samples on the ground produced largely similar results.
PUBLICATION(S)
Alekhova TA. Microflora research on a surface of the International Space Station Russian
Segment (ISS RS) constructional materials. 3rd Congress of Microbiologists of Uzbekistan,
Tashkent, Uzbekistan; 2005.
This investigation is complete and all results are published.
During International Space
Station Expedition 7, Flight
Engineer Yu.G. Sharipov
performs a session of the
experiment. Roscosmos
image.