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Toxicity of total dissolved solids associated with two mine effluents to chironomid larvae and early life stages of rainbow trout
Author(s) -
Chapman Peter M.,
Bailey Howard,
Canaria Edmund
Publication year - 2000
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.5620190125
Subject(s) - total dissolved solids , effluent , rainbow trout , environmental chemistry , alkalinity , chemistry , toxicity , trout , chloride , potassium , bicarbonate , sodium , environmental science , biology , fishery , environmental engineering , fish <actinopterygii> , organic chemistry
Asessment of total dissolved solids (TDS) represents anintegrated measure of the concentrations of common ions (e.g., sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, sulfate, and bicarbonate) in freshwaters. Toxicity related to these ions is due to the specific combination and concentration of ions and is not predictable from TDS concentrations. Short‐term chronic toxicity tests were conducted with larval chironomids and trout (eggs and swim‐up fry) to assess their TDS tolerance relative to effluents from two Alaskan mines. Both effluents are characterized by high TDS content but differ with respect to concentrations of specific ions and alkalinity. The toxicity tests were conducted with synthetic effluents formulated to match the ionic composition of each mine discharge. No toxicity was observed at >2,000 mg of TDS/L with embryos or developing fry, but chironomids exhibited effects above 1,100 mg of TDS/L. These tests, together with information on the health of field populations (fish and benthic invertebrates), are appropriate and relevant for determining site‐specific whole effluent TDS concentrations.