The role of calcium and sodium in toxicity of an effluent to mysid shrimp (Mysidopsis bahia)

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2000 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1897/1551-5028(2000)019<0234:TROCAS>2.3.CO;2· OSTI ID:20075748

Kline, E R; Stekoll, M S

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{sup +}, Ca{sup 2+}, Mg{sup 2+}, K{sup +}, Cl{sup {minus}}, and SO{sub 4}{sup 2{minus}} 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{sup 2+} and Na{sup +} concentrations in effluent and in simulated effluent, along with the results of the previous experiments, demonstrated that excess Ca{sup 2+} was the sole source of effluent toxicity and that Na{sup +} deficiency, relative to the proportion in seawater, reduced Ca{sup 2+} toxicity.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau, AK (US)
• OSTI ID: 20075748
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 19; ISSN 0730-7268; ISSN ETOCDK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOASSAY
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
CALCIUM
CHEMICAL EFFLUENTS
SHRIMP
SODIUM
WATER POLLUTION