Validation of laboratory versus field avoidance behavior of schooling fathead minnows to heavy metal blends relative to acute toxicity during long term exposure
Avoidance and toxicity of four metals (relative proportions: 1.00 copper, 0.54 chromium, 1.85 arsenic, 0.38 selenium) were determined for schools of fathead minnows (Pimephalese promelas) in laboratory chamber, artificial stream and natural stream settings during continuous exposure to the metal blend. Laboratory avoidance responses were determined seasonally in a steep-gradient, laminar-flow chamber. Unexposed fish avoided 29 ug/L total metals. Fish exposed to 49 ug/L total metals for 3 months failed to avoid concentrations up to 245 ug/L total metals. Activity was not affected by long term exposure. Artificial stream avoidance responses were determined seasonally during 7 months of field laboratory holding in New River water for unexposed (control) fish and exposed (98 ug/L total metals) fish. In-stream avoidance responses were determined in the summer for unexposed (control) and exposed (98 ug/L total metals) fish in a second order tributary to the New River. Hardness, turbidity and physical setting are implicated as possible causative factors for differences between control fish responses tested in different seasons and locations. Laboratory exposed fish had a 96-hr LC50 1.25x higher than laboratory control fish. Control fish avoided metals levels at 0.4% of their 96-hr LC50. Field exposed fish had a 96-hr LC50 value 1.41x higher than field controls. Field control fish avoided metals levels between 0.7 and 2.5% of their 96-hr LC50 depending upon test location and season. There was no difference between the 96-hr LC50s of laboratory vs field control fish or between laboratory vs field exposed fish.
- Research Organization:
- Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5001238
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Reproductive and tolerance effects of chronic fluoranthene exposure in a laboratory population of fathead minnows
Acute and chronic toxicity of hydrogen sulfide to the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas
Related Subjects
AVOIDANCE
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
METALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
ARSENIC
CHROMIUM
COPPER
EXPOSURE CHAMBERS
FIELD TESTS
FISHES
RIVERS
SELENIUM
VALIDATION
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BEHAVIOR
ELEMENTS
SEMIMETALS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
TESTING
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VARIATIONS
VERTEBRATES
560305* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Vertebrates- (-1987)