Modeling the effect of intermittent monochloramine concentrations on survival of freshwater fish

Technical Report · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:6501118

Meyer, J S; Gulley, D D; Bergman, H L ^[1]

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1. Wyoming Univ., Laramie, WY (United States)

In this project we developed and evaluated mathematical models to predict toxicity to freshwater fish during continuous and intermittent exposures to monochloramine (NH[sub 2]Cl). A simple concentration x time model and three models based on the general Mancini uptake-depuration model were included in this analysis. Performance of the models was evaluated using published continuous- and intermittent-exposure toxicity data for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and common shiners (Notropis cornutus) exposed to NH[sub 2]Cl at 12[degrees]C and 25[degrees]C, respectively. Currently used models predicted LC50s for the first four pulses during intermittent exposures moderately well when the fish were exposed to repeated 2-h pulse/22-h recovery cycles; however, predicted pulse LC50s appeared to diverge from the trend for the observed LC50s as the number of pulses increased. This accuracy may be suitable for regulatory purposes, if LC50s are to be predicted for only the initial few cycles of a pulse-recovery exposure regime. However, itappears that details of the complex physiological mechanisms of monochloramine toxicity may not be adequately modeled by the Mancini type models or by the simplistic concentration x time model. If more accuratepredictions are desired, either more complex models or other models based on different basic structures must be developed. Development of these new models should be based on studies of the physiological processes underlying uptake and depuration of chlorine-related compounds.

• Research Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); Wyoming Univ., Laramie, WY (United States). Fish Physiology and Toxicology Lab.
• Sponsoring Organization: EPRI; Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 6501118
• Report Number(s): EPRI-TR-102057
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACUTE EXPOSURE
AMINES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
BIOLOGICAL REPAIR
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
DOSES
FISHES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
LETHAL DOSES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MORTALITY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
REPAIR
TIME DEPENDENCE
TOXICITY
TROUT
VERTEBRATES