Toxicity of mine drainage to embryonic and larval boreal toads (Bufonidae: Bufo boreas)

Journal Article · Mon May 17 00:00:00 EDT 1976 · Copeia; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1443954· OSTI ID:7175802

Porter, K R; Hakanson, D E

Chemical analyses and bioassays of mine drainage were made to determine if it could be a factor accounting for the absence of amphibians from Clear Creek County, Colorado. The concentrations of hydrogen ion, iron, copper and zinc in the drainage were all individually much greater than the tolerance levels of premetamorphic toads. The lethality of the drainage was found to be of such a magnitude that it required diluting approximately one thousand times before larvae could survive in it. Boreal toad (Bufo boreas) larvae are more resistant to acidity than most fish but are very similar to other anuran larvae and salmonids in their sensitivity to copper and zinc. (auth)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Denver
• OSTI ID: 7175802
• Journal Information: Copeia; (United States), Vol. 2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID MINE DRAINAGE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
AMPHIBIANS
BIOASSAY
COPPER
FROGS
IRON
LARVAE
MORTALITY
PH VALUE
ZINC
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ELEMENTS
METALS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERTEBRATES
560305* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Vertebrates- (-1987)
520100 - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (-1989)