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Derivation of a water quality guideline for aluminium in marine waters
Author(s) -
Golding Lisa A.,
Angel Brad M.,
Batley Graeme E.,
Apte Simon C.,
Krassoi Rick,
Doyle Chris J.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.2771
Subject(s) - mytilus , environmental chemistry , biology , bioaccumulation , water quality , seawater , mussel , ecology , chemistry
Metal risk assessment of industrialized harbors and coastal marine waters requires the application of robust water quality guidelines to determine the likelihood of biological impacts. Currently there is no such guideline available for aluminium in marine waters. A water quality guideline of 24 µg total Al/L has been developed for aluminium in marine waters based on chronic 10% inhibition or effect concentrations (IC10 or EC10) and no‐observed‐effect concentrations (NOECs) from 11 species (2 literature values and 9 species tested including temperate and tropical species) representing 6 taxonomic groups. The 3 most sensitive species tested were a diatom Ceratoneis closterium (formerly Nitzschia closterium; IC10 = 18 µg Al/L, 72‐h growth rate inhibition) < mussel Mytilus edulis plannulatus (EC10 = 250 µg Al/L, 72‐h embryo development) < oyster Saccostrea echinata (EC10 = 410 µg Al/L, 48‐h embryo development). Toxicity to these species was the result of the dissolved aluminium forms of aluminate (Al(OH 4 − ) and aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH) 3 0 ) although both dissolved, and particulate aluminium contributed to toxicity in the diatom Minutocellus polymorphus and green alga Dunaliella tertiolecta . In contrast, aluminium toxicity to the green flagellate alga Tetraselmis sp. was the result of particulate aluminium only. Four species, a brown macroalga ( Hormosira banksii ), sea urchin embryo ( Heliocidaris tuberculata ), and 2 juvenile fish species ( Lates calcarifer and Acanthochromis polyacanthus ), were not adversely affected at the highest test concentration used. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:141–151. © 2014 SETAC