What are bioassays used for in water treatment?

Bioassays are important tools in water treatment used specifically to assess the toxicity of water to living organisms. This involves exposing particular organisms, often aquatic species, to water samples and observing their responses, such as survival, growth, and reproduction. The information gathered helps determine whether the water is safe for aquatic life and whether it meets environmental regulations for toxicity levels.

Understanding the toxicity of water is crucial because it impacts not only the ecosystem but also human health, especially when water is meant for recreational use or as a source of drinking water. By utilizing bioassays, operators can identify harmful substances present in treated or untreated water and take appropriate remedial actions to ensure safety and compliance with environmental standards.

The other options, while related to water quality assessments, do not pertain to bioassays. Neither measuring temperature, determining pH, nor detecting mineral content evaluates the biological impact of contaminants on organisms, which is the key function of bioassays in water treatment protocols.