Interactive effects of acidity and aluminum exposure on the life cycle of the midge Chironomus riparius (Diptera)

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Journal of Freshwater Ecology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/02705060.1989.9665830· OSTI ID:5936044

Palawski, D U; Hunn, J B; Chester, D N; Wiedneyer, R H ^[1]

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1. National Fisheries Contaminant Research Center, Columbia, MO (USA)

The chronic toxicity of acidic pH and the toxicity of aluminum at pH 5.6 and pH 5.0 to the midge Chironomus riparius were determined in 30-day flow-through exposures. Larvae were exposed to water pHs of 7.2, 6.2, 5.8, 5.3, and 4.5; total aluminum concentrations were 14.6, 34.8, 61.4, 128.7, and 259.2 microgram/L at a water pH of 5.6 and to aluminum concentrations of 15.6, 32.5, 56.9, 111.4, and 235.2 microgram/L at a water pH of 5.0. The survival of midges was only 11% at pH 4.5 and 52.3% at pH 5.8. In soft water (12 mg/L as CaCO3) at pH 5.6, survival declined significantly at aluminum concentrations of 61 to 259 microgram/L, but significantly increased at 14.6 microgram/L. In soft water at pH 5.0, survival increased at concentrations of 14.6 to 111.4 microgram/L but decreased significantly at 235.2 microgram/L. At both pH 5.6 and pH 5.0, the toxicological response of midges to aluminum was thus bimodal, in that acid stress was slightly ameliorated by relatively low aluminum concentrations, but exacerbated by higher concentrations. 25 refs., 55 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 5936044
• Journal Information: Journal of Freshwater Ecology; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Freshwater Ecology; (USA) Vol. 5:2; ISSN JFRED; ISSN 0270-5060
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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