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Accumulation of tributyltin in Hyalella azteca as an indicator of chronic toxicity: Survival, growth, and reproduction
Author(s) -
Bartlett Adrienne J.,
Borgmann Uwe,
Dixon D. George,
Batchelor Suzanne P.,
Maguire R. James
Publication year - 2004
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 - 10.1897/03-521.1
Subject(s) - hyalella azteca , tributyltin , bioaccumulation , toxicity , amphipoda , reproduction , biology , chronic toxicity , toxicology , ecotoxicology , environmental chemistry , zoology , ecology , chemistry , crustacean , organic chemistry
Abstract The chronic toxicity of tributyltin (TBT) was examined by exposing two successive generations of the freshwater amphipod, Hyalella azteca , to sediments spiked with TBT. Survival was the most sensitive measure of effect, with lethal concentration resulting in 50% mortality (LC50) values on a water and body concentration basis ranging from 76 to 145 ng Sn/L and 2,790 to 4,300 ng Sn/g, respectively. Individual growth of amphipods was not negatively affected by TBT, and although reproduction might be more sensitive than survival, the data were too variable to use on a routine basis. There were no detectable TBT‐induced differences in the response between first‐ and second‐generation animals. The relationship between toxicity and bioaccumulation of TBT in H. azteca was determined and can be used as a tool to predict the toxicity of TBT in environmental samples. Body concentrations exceeding 2,000 ng Sn/g in H. azteca exposed to field‐collected samples would indicate that chronic toxicity due to TBT is likely occurring in amphipod populations at those sites.