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The role of calcium and sodium in toxicity of an effluent to mysid shrimp ( Mysidopsis bahia )
Author(s) -
Kline Edward R.,
Stekoll Michael S.
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.5620190128
Subject(s) - effluent , seawater , toxicity , chemistry , distilled water , shrimp , dilution , environmental chemistry , ecotoxicology , zoology , biology , ecology , environmental engineering , chromatography , environmental science , physics , organic chemistry , thermodynamics
The source of acute toxicity of an aged gold mill effluent to juvenile mysid shrimp ( Mysidopsis bahia [Americamysis bahia ]) was identified. Effluent osmolality was equivalent to that of 12 ppt seawater. At five effluent concentrations ranging from 4 to 100% (v/v), using 12 ppt seawater for dilution, the onset of responses was most rapid at 37% effluent. Simulated effluent was created by adding Na + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , K + , Cl − , and SO 4 2− to distilled water at concentrations equal to those measured in the effluent. The unusual finding of a more rapid onset of responses at 37% than at 100% effluent was duplicated with simulated effluent, demonstrating that responses of M. bahia to effluent were attributable to one or more of the six ions that were included in simulated effluent. Proportionally, excess Ca 2+ and Na + deficiency were among the greatest differences in the ionic composition of effluent relative to seawater. Manipulation of Ca 2+ and Na + concentrations in effluent and in simulated effluent, along with the results of the previous experiments, demonstrated that excess Ca 2+ was the sole source of effluent toxicity and that Na + deficiency, relative to the proportion in seawater, reduced Ca 2+ toxicity.