Toxicity of uranium to Daphnia magna

The toxicity of U to Daphnia magna was determined in acute and chronic tests. The 48-hr LC₅₀ of U (VI) in Columbia River water was 6 mg L^?1. Acute toxicity diminished by a factor of 7.5 as mean water hardness and alkalinity values increased from 70 mg L^?1. and 57 mg L^?1. to 195 mg L^?1. and 130 mg L^?1. respectively. This effect was most likely the result of complexation of uranyl ion with carbonate ions. D. magna reproduction was suppressed in Columbia River water at U concentrations between 0.5 and 3.5 mg L^?1. Potential hazards of U to aquatic life are discussed as they relate to mining practices.     

Development of QSAR's in soil ecotoxicology: Earthworm toxicity and soil sorption of chlorophenols,chlorobenzenes and chloroanilines

Soil adsorption and the toxicity of four chloroanilines for earthworms were investigated in two soil types. The toxicity tests were carried out with two earthworm species, Eisenia andrei and Lumbricus rubellus. LC₅₀ values in mg kg^?1 dry soil were recalculated towards molar concentrations in pore water using data from soil adsorption experiments. An attempt has been made to develop Quantitative Structure Activity Relationships (QSAR's) using these results and data on five chlorophenols and dichloroaniline in four soils and five chlorobenzenes in two soils published previously (Van Gestel and Ma, 1988, 1990; Van Gestel et al., 1991). Significant QSAR relationships were obtained between 1) adsorption coefficients (log K _om ) and the octanol/water partition coefficient (log k _ow ), and 2) LC₅₀ values (in itμmol L^?1 soil pore water) and log K _ow . It can be concluded that both earthworm species tested are equally sensitive to chlorobenzenes and chloroanilines, E. andrei is more sensitive than L. rubellus to chlorophenols.     

Toxic effects of two organophosphate insecticides,monocrotophos and dichlorvos to common earthworm Lampito Mauritii (Kinberg)

The lethal concentrations (LC₅₀ 96 h^?1) were measured experimentally by exposing the earthworms (Lampito mauritii) in moist vermiculite and in water. The morphological changes observed during the exposure of animals to the monocrotophos and dichlorvos were outlined. The mortality rate was higher in the water medium than in moist vermiculite. The hyperactivity at low pesticide concentrations is found to influence the size of the population.     

Mercury Sources to Lake Ozette and Lake Dickey: Highly Contaminated Remote Coastal Lakes, Washington State, USA

Recent studies have shown that the lower basin of the Salado River is highly polluted with copper and chromium. In order to evaluate the effect of those metals on Notodiaptomus conifer, a representative calanoid copepod, we carried out two (acute and chronic) experimental assays. In the first one, the 24- and 48-h EC₅₀ values were determined in nauplii and adults. Chronic assays were conducted to evaluate the time of development for nauplii, time of development for each copepodite stage, total development time, growth, number of ovigerous females, fecundity, and time required to produce the first egg sac. Additionally, the effect of those metals on the equiproportional model proposed for copepods was evaluated. Acute experiments reveled that juveniles were more sensible than adults. Although growth was not seriously affected by metal exposition, development time was delayed and reproductive variables were altered with the increase of metal concentrations. The deviation from the equiproportional model proposed for copepods proved to be a useful parameter to provide relevant information on toxicity of both metals along development time. In comparison with other zooplanktonic species, the highest sensitivity of N. conifer to copper and chromium makes it a suitable bioindicator in ecotoxicological tests.     

The effect of pH upon the copper and cupric ion concentrations in soil solutions

Soil samples whose pH had been adjusted to between 4.5 and 7.5 either for long periods in the field or short periods in the laboratory were incubated after wetting with water or 0.01 m CaCl₂. Copper concentrations in the soil solutions decreased only slightly as the solution pH increased, but free cupric ion concentrations decreased considerably. The copper concentrations were smaller and the proportion of copper present in solution as cupric ion at a given pH was larger when CaCl₂ rather than water was used. Complexed organic species made up most of the copper in all solutions. The duration of pH adjustment did not affect these results. Copper adsorption isotherms were determined on the soils using low equilibrium solution concentrations. As a given copper concentration the quantity of copper adsorbed increased and the proportion of copper in solution present as cupric ion decreased with pH increase; again the duration of pH adjustment did not affect the results.     

Changes in tolerance of soil microbial communities in Zn and Cd contaminated soils

Trace metals are present in the soil matrix in different forms, and this obscures the relationship between the amounts of metals, their biological availability and effects. Chemical methods have been devised to directly measure the biological available pools of trace metals, but such methods need to be validated against measured exposure of organisms in the soil. We studied acquired Zn- and Cd tolerance of the soil microbial community as a reporter of its exposure, and compared it with chemical determination of Zn and Cd in 10 soils differing in pH, organic matter content, texture, vegetation-/cultivation history and metal contamination. The tolerance was measured as LC₅₀ (i.e. the metal concentration which inhibits 50% of the activity) in suspensions of extracted soil bacteria, by measuring the incorporation rate of [³H] thymidine at different metal concentrations. Chemical determination of Cd and Zn in soils included total concentrations by aqua regia extractions (AR), and total concentrations in extracted pore water (PW). In addition was the ‘effective concentration’ (C_E) determined using the Diffusion Gradients in Thins films method (DGT). The LC₅₀ values correlated better with PW (r²=0.90 for Cd and r²=0.97 for Zn) and C_E (0.90 for Cd and 0.98 for Zn) compared to the correlation with AR (0.72 for Cd and 0.82 for Zn). After excluding a single extremely contaminated soil from the analysis, the correlation of LC₅₀ with AR was much poorer (r²=0.03 (ns) for Cd and r²=0.48 for Zn), whereas correlations remained significant for both PW (0.90 for Cd and 0.87 for Zn) and C_E (0.54 for Cd and 0.84 for Zn). In conclusion, PW fraction of Cd and Zn appear to be the best predictor of trace metal exposure of the soil microorganisms.     

Cadmium and Copper Effects on Larval Development and Mortality of the Polychaete Capitella Sp Y from Estero Del Yugo, Mazatlan, Mexico

The effects of cadmium and copper on larval metamorphosis and mortality of cultured Capitella sp Y were investigated. Metatrochophore larvae were exposed to 0.013 (control), 0.030, 0.080, 0.120, and 0.170 mg Cd L^?1 and 0.017 (control), 0.025, 0.060, and 0.075 mg Cu L^?1 for 34 days. Larval mortality significantly (p < 0.01) increased with increasing Cd and Cu concentrations (Kruskal-Wallis test), with similar effects for both metals for day 10 (LC₅₀ = 0.035 mg Cd L^?1 and 0.035 mg Cu L^?1). Metamorphosis was inhibited in larvae exposed to the two metals in the absence of food, the effect of Cu being the most severe. This study suggests that Cd and Cu exposure could be harmful to early developmental stages of Capitella sp Y producing a delay in recruitment into natural populations.     

The effects of mercury,copper, and zinc on calcium uptake by larvae of the clam,mulinia lateralis

A sensitive and rapid bioassay system using Ca-45 uptake by larvae of Mulinia lateralis as indicator is described. The values of Ca uptake per larva^?1 versus elapsed time were linear and some of the Ca uptake rates, expressed as pg Ca larva^?1 h^?1, were 148.2 (no added heavy metal), 114.4 (20 µg kg^?1 of added Hg), 89.7 (200 gg kg^?1 of added Zn) and 20.5 (40 µg kg^?1 of added Cu). Linearities were also obtained by plotting log of Ca uptake per larva^?1 against heavy metal concentrations. A new terminology, ^xCa _inf50 ^supt , was proposed which expressed the concentration of heavy metal, x, causing 50% depression of Ca uptake over the exposure time, t. For Cu, Hg, and Zn, the values of ^x Ca _inf50 ^sup72h were 18.5, 26.5 and 176.0 µg kg^?1 respectively, which were comparable to the published values of LC₅₀. The effectiveness of Ca uptake depression on a weight basis was Cu > Hg > Zn, and the same sequence was also observed for larval mortalities.     

Bio-accumulation and metabolic effects of zinc on marine fouling dreissinid bivalve,Mytilopsis sallei (Recluz)

Zinc (Zn) toxicity to a marine fouling dreissinid bivalveMytilopsis sallei was investigated and the safe concentration of Zn was determined for this bivalve. In acute toxicity tests onM. sallei the 96 h LC₅₀ value for Zn is found to be 8.364 mg 1^?1. The results suggest that Zn has the lowest toxic effect onM. sallei when compared to copper and mercury. Effect of Zn on the oxygen consumption ofM. sallei was studied. Sub-lethal concentrations of Zn functioned as respiratory depressants. Accumulation of Zn was investigated in relation to exposure period and concentration inM. sallei. Zn accumulation was found to be sensitive to both concentration of Zn and exposure time. The effect of exposure time and concentration on body biochemical components was also studied inM. sallei. This accumulated Zn has resulted in impairment of carbohydrate metabolism and protein utilisation.     

Toxicity of insecticides and effects on the behavior of the blood clamAnadara granosa

The toxicity of organophosphate insecticides, mainly phosphamidon, monocrotophos and dichlorvos to the blood clamAnadara granosa, occurring in Kakinada Bay of the Godavari estuarine system was measured. The LC₅₀ values of three insecticides for 24,48,72 and 96 hr exposure ranged from 4.26 to 11.53 mg L^?1 for phosphamidon, 3.50 to 9.31 mg L^?1 for monocrotophos and 1.79 to 6.20 mg L^?1 for dichlorvos. Dichlorvos proved highly toxic even at low concentrations compared to either phosphamidon or monocrotophos. The animals showed decreasing activity with increasing insecticide concentrations and duration of exposure. However, there was no marked difference in the toxicity between phosphamidon and monocrotophos.     

Acute and sub-chronic toxicity of lead to the early life stages of smallmouth bass (Micropterus Dolomieui)

The early life stages of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) were exposed to Pb in acute (96 hr) and sub-chronic (90 day) bioassays (water hardness = 152 mg L^?1 as CaCO₃). After 96-hr static exposures at nominal Pb concentrations up to 15.9 mg L^?1, eggs and sac fry showed no increased mortality over that in controls. Swim-up fry (96-hr LC₅₀ = 2.8 mg Pb L^?1) were more sensitive to Pb exposure than were fingerlings (96-hr LC₅₀ of 29.0 mg Pb L^?1 ). The relation between dissolved Pb and mortality was non-significant for either swim-up fry or fingerlings. Fingerlings were exposed to Pb concentrations as high as 405 μg L^?1 for 90 day to evaluate effects on substrate selection, locomotor activity, hematology, and weight. Dark or light substrate selection (cover-seeking) and locomotor activity, weight and hemoglobin concentration in the blood were not significantly altered by any treatment. Hematocrit and leucocrit varied significantly but not in relation to Pb levels. Sub-chronic Pb exposure did not appear to represent a threat to smallmouth bass in waters of medium hardness and above-neutral pH (7.1 to 7.9).     

Toxicity of Residual Chlorines from Hypochlorite-treated Seawater to Marine Amphipod Hyale barbicornis and Estuarine Fish Oryzias javanicus

To assess possible adverse effects of residual chlorines from hypochlorite-treated seawater to non-target marine organisms, bioassays were carried out on marine amphipod Hyale barbicornis and estuarine fish Oryzias javanicus. Acute toxicity tests were first conducted using various concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) followed by a long-term exposure to residual chlorines from a test water treated with 1 mg L^?1 NaOCl. Results showed that NaOCl was acutely toxic to both organisms. However, long-term exposure to residual chlorines from NaOCl-treated waters caused no major adverse effects to both organisms under laboratory conditions since free chlorines in the treated water was reduced to about 10% by 23-h holding and 1-h aeration. No H. barbicornis died but residual chlorine-exposed juveniles had significantly shorter body lengths at the end of exposure. Residual chlorine-exposed O. javanicus also showed no significant differences to that of the control in all measured endpoints except for hatching time. The results suggest that using 1 mg L^?1 NaOCl for disinfection of ballast waters will produce residual chlorines that is far below the LC50 and EC50 of H. barbicornis and O. javanicus even on a long-term basis.     

The Influence of Water Hardness, pH, and Suspended Solids on Nickel Toxicity to Larval Fathead Minnows (Pimephales promelas)

Nickel (Ni) is an ubiquitous, naturally occurring metalthat is associated with metal mining and other industrialactivities. Despite elevated Ni concentrations reportedfor many industrial receiving waters, Ni receives littleresearch attention addressing factors influencing itstoxicity to freshwater fish. This study examined theinfluence of water hardness, pH, and total suspended solids(TSS) in soft, reconstituted water on Ni toxicity to larvalfathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Increasingwater hardness from 20 to 140 mg L^-1 (as CaCO₃) reduced acute Ni toxicity by 5-fold (96-h LC50s 0.45 and 2.27 mg Ni L^-1, respectively). Low pH had a slight protective effect against Ni toxicity relative to neutral pH conditions. At pH 5.5, the 96-h LC50 was 0.69 mg Ni L^-1, compared to 0.54 mg Ni L^-1 at pH 7.0. However,Ni toxicity was significantly reduced at pH 8.5 where the 96-h LC50 was 2.21 mg Ni L^-1. These results were explainedon the basis of Ni speciation. Total suspended solids also reduced Ni toxicity (expressed as 96-h LC50s) from 0.35 to 1.12 mg Ni L^-1 over a TSS range of 10 to 100 mg L^-1.This reduction of toxicity due to TSS is significant becausemine effluents often have a combination of elevated TSS andmetals. The ameliorative effect of TSS was not as significantas high hardness or pH probably because there is a TSS threshold, after which physical irritation to fish gills counteracts any protective effect conferred by TSS. This finding is relevant to choices made in design of mine effluenttreatment systems; i.e., there may be an optimum range ofTSS concentrations that protect aquatic biota againsteffects of metals that remain after treatment.     

Pesticide toxicity using protozoans as test organisms

Summary A toxicity test using protozoa as test organisms was devised for pesticides. Two different methods were used, the most probable number method and the absorbance method (based on measurement of protozoa growth through absorbance). The ciliates Colpoda cucullus and Blepharisma undulans and the flagellate Oikomonas termo were isolated from different biological starter cultures and tested with the herbicides Chlorex, MCPA, dichlorprop and Matrigon, the fungicide Benlate, and the insecticide Sumicidin. The protozoans showed quite different sensitivities to the pesticides, using 9-h lethal concentrations (LC₅₀ and LC₁₀) as criteria. The 9-h LC₅₀ (concentration at which 50% of the protozeon population has died after 9 h of incubation) ranged from 0.7 ppm for Benlate to 40000 ppm for Chlorex. The usual soil application rates of Chlorex, MCPA, and Benlate were toxic to some of the organisms.     

Effect of sublethal concentrations of mercury on the composition of liver,muscles and ovary of Notopterus notopterus

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effect of sublethal concentrations (0.088 and 0.044 mg 1^?1, i.e., 1/5th and 1/10th fraction of 96 h LC₅₀) of mercuric chloride on Ca, inorganic phosphate, water content, ash, glycogen, Fe, total protein, lipid contents and vitamin A, C, D, and E of liver, muscles and ovary of the freshwater fish Notopterus notopterus exposed for 30 days. The results obtained indicate that Ca, inorganic phosphate, water, ash, glycogen, Fe, total protein contents and vitamin D decreased significantly or insignificantly in these tissues of the Hg exposed fishes. However, lipid content increased in liver and muscles, but decreased in the ovaries. Vitamin A and D increased in the liver but decreased in the muscles and ovaries. Moreover, vitamin E increased in all the tissues of the fish exposed to 0.088 mg 1^?1 and decreased in the fish exposed to 0.044 mg 1^?1 of Hg concentrations.     

Toxic potential of different types of sewage sludge as fertiliser in agriculture: ecotoxicological effects on aquatic,sediment and soil indicator species

Purpose

Treated and processed sewage sludges (biosolids) generated during the treatment of wastewater usually contain substantial concentrations of nutrients, especially phosphorus, which is essential for plant growth. Sewage sludge therefore can be used as an alternative fertiliser in agriculture. But since sewage sludge could also contain pollutants, analysis and ecotoxicological tests on affected soil and stream water organisms are necessary in order to guarantee its harmless use.

Materials and methods

Three test species were chosen to cover the environmental compartments, water, sediment and soil. The following test species and parameters were applied to evaluate the acute effects of three sewage sludge samples: Lemna minor (growth inhibition, discolouration and colony breakup), Gammarus fossarum (mortality, behaviour) and Eisenia fetida (avoidance behaviour). Chemical assessment included nutrients, organic pollutants and heavy metals.

Results and discussion

The assessment of a non-dewatered sludge (S1) sample resulted in an inhibition of growth of L. minor starting from 0.6 g total solid (TS)?l^?1 after 7 days (EC₅₀ 1.2 g TS l^?1). G. fossarum displayed significantly decreased movement activity at 0.5 and 1.2 g TS l^?1 sludge concentration during an exposure time of 2 days, leading to decreased survival after 4 days of exposure in 0.5 g TS l^?1 (LC₅₀ 0.5 g TS l^?1). After 2 days, E. fetida exhibited an increased avoidance behaviour of contaminated soil from 0.2 g TS kg^?1 sewage sludge (EC₅₀ 0.4 g TS kg^?1). The dewatered sludge samples (S2 and S3) had a lower toxic effect on the test organisms. G. fossarum was the most sensitive test species in the applied test setups. The realistic application amounts of the tested sewage sludge samples of approximately 6.0 g TS kg^?1 (maximum allowed application amount of sewage sludge) and approximately 3 g TS kg^?1 (maximum agronomical relevant application amount) in worst case studies are higher than the analysed EC₅₀/LC₅₀ values of S1 and of the LC₅₀ (G. fossarum) of S2 and S3.

Conclusions

All three tested sewage sludge samples have to be classified as toxic at high concentration levels under laboratory conditions. Realistic output quantities of S1 will negatively influence soil invertebrates and freshwater organisms (plants and crustacean), whereas the dewatered sludge samples will most likely not have any acute toxic effect on the test organisms in the field. Test with environmental samples should be conducted in order to support this hypothesis.

     

Cu and Ni Mobility and Bioavailability in Sequentially Conditioned Soils

The potential ecological hazard of metals in soils may be measured directly using a combination of chemical and biological techniques or estimated using appropriate ecological models. Terrestrial ecotoxicity testing has gained scientific credibility and growing regulatory interest; however, toxicity of metals has often been tested in freshly amended soils. Such an approach may lead to derivation of erroneous toxicity values (EC₅₀) and thresholds. In this study, the impact of metal amendments on soil ecotoxicity testing within a context of ion competition was investigated. Four coarse-textured soils were amended with copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni), incubated for 16 weeks and conditioned by a series of total pore water replacements. Rhizon^TM extracted pore water Cu, Ni, pH and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations were measured after each replacement. Changes in ecotoxicity of soil solutions were also monitored using a lux-based biosensor (Escherichia coli HB101 pUCD607) and linked to variations in soil solution metal and DOC concentrations, pH and selected characteristics of the experimental soils (exchangeable calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg)). Prior to conditioning of soils, strong proton competition produced relatively high EC₅₀ values (low toxicity) for both, Cu and Ni. The successive replacement of pore waters lead to a decline of labile pools of metals, DOC and alleviated the ecotoxicological protective effect of amendment impacted soil solution chemistry. Consequently, derived ecotoxicity values and toxicity thresholds were more reflective of genuine environmental conditions and the relationships observed more consistent with trends reported in historically contaminated soils.     

Copper Release, Speciation, and Toxicity Following Multiple Floodings of Copper Enriched Agriculture Soils: Implications in Everglades Restoration

This study characterizes the effects of water–soil flooding volume ratio and flooding time on copper (Cu) desorption and toxicity following multiple floodings of field-collected soils from agricultural sites acquired under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) in south Florida. Soils from four field sites were flooded with three water–soil ratios (2, 4, and 6 [water] to 1 [soil]) and held for 14 days to characterize the effects of volume ratio and flooding duration on Cu desorption (volume ratio and flooding duration study). Desorption of Cu was also characterized by flooding soils four times from seven field sites with a volume ratio of 2 (water) to 1 (soil) (multiple flooding study). Acute toxicity tests were also conducted using overlying waters from the first flooding event to characterize the effects of Cu on the survival of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas), cladocerans (Daphnia magna), amphipods (Hyalella azteca), midges (Chironomus tentans), duckweed (Lemna minor), and Florida apple snails (Pomacea paludosa). Acute tests were also conducted with D. magna exposed to overlying water from the second and third flooding events. Results indicate that dissolved Cu concentrations in overlying water increased with flooding duration and decreased with volume ratio. In the multiple flooding study, initial Cu concentrations in soils ranged from 5 to 223 mg/kg (dw) and were similar to Cu concentration after four flooding events, indicating retention of Cu in soils. Copper desorption was dependent on soil Cu content and soil characteristics. Total Cu concentration in overlying water (Cu_w) was a function of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), alkalinity, and soil Cu concentration (Cu_s): log(Cu_w)?=?1.2909?+?0.0279 (DOC)?+?0.0026 (Cu_s)???0.0038 (alkalinity). The model was validated and highly predictive. Most of the desorbed Cu in the water column complexed with organic matter in the soils and accounted for 99% of the total dissolved Cu. Although total dissolved Cu concentrations in overlying water did not significantly decrease with number of flooding events, concentrations of free Cu²⁺ increased with the number of flooding events, due to a decrease in DOC concentrations. The fraction of bioavailable Cu species (Cu²⁺, CuOH⁺, CuCO₃) was also less than 1% of the total Cu. Overlying water from the first flooding event was only acutely toxic to the Florida apple snail from one site. However, overlying water from the third flooding of six out of seven soils was acutely toxic to D. magna. The decrease in DOC concentrations and increase in bioavailable Cu²⁺ species may explain the changes in acute toxicity to D. magna. Results of this study reveal potential for high Cu bioavailability (Cu²⁺) and toxicity to aquatic biota overtime in inundated agricultural lands acquired under the CERP.     

Effects of Single,Binary and Quinary Mixtures of Phenanthrene and Its N-PAHs on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eisenia fetida</Emphasis> in Soil

It is now acknowledged that aromatic hydrocarbons present in contaminated soils occur in mixtures. The effect of single, binary and quinary mixtures of phenanthrene and selected nitrogen-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (N-PAHs) were investigated on the survival, growth and behavioural index of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) over a 21-day incubation in soil. The results showed that the LC₅₀ values ranged from (not detected) ND–329.3 mg kg^?1 (single mixture), ND–219.8 mg kg^?1 (binary mixtures) to 148.4 mg kg^?1 (quinary mixture), while the EC₅₀ values (based on weight loss) ranged from 13.3–148.4 mg kg^?1 (single mixture), 63.8–148.4 mg kg^?1 (binary mixture) to 24.2 mg kg^?1 (quinary mixture). Greater impacts were recorded where N-PAHs are present with phenanthrene. Further, behavioural index of E. fetida was affected after 24-h exposure to N-PAH-amended soils. Among the N-PAHs however, benzo[h]quinoline recorded the greatest impact on the survival, growth and behavioural index of E. fetida in soil. Findings from this study showed that three ring-N-PAHs are more toxic than phenanthrene as expected from their physico-chemical properties. The binary and quinary mixtures of phenanthrene and N-PAHs in soil intensified toxicity, suggesting that PAHs-N-PAHs mixtures represent greater risk to soil biota.