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Combined effects of dissolved organic material and water hardness on toxicity of cadmium to Daphnia magna

Journal Article · · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
The interaction between dissolved organic material (DOM) and water hardness and their effects on the acute toxicity of cadmium (Cd) to Daphnia magna was studied. At an original hardness of humic lake water, Cd was significantly less toxic in the humic than in the reference water. Furthermore, after dilution down to 10%, the humic water still decreased the lethality significantly. The results suggest that the reduced toxicity of Cd in the lake water is due to complexation with DOC. An increase in water hardness decreased the measured binding coefficient of Cd to DOM. In addition, the acute toxicity of Cd decreased, and the difference between the reference and humic water disappeared. As a conclusion, DOM in the soft lake water had a protective effect against Cd toxicity. In hard water, obviously, the added hardness cations, especially Ca{sup 2+}, effectively competed with Cd{sup 2+} for available binding sites in DOM. Simultaneously, CA{sup 2+} ions interfered also with the uptake of Cd{sup 2+} either by competing in transport through cell membranes or by reducing membrane permeability.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
305463
Journal Information:
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 17; ISSN ETOCDK; ISSN 0730-7268
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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