Preliminary study to compare body residues and sublethal energetic responses in benthic invertebrates exposed to sediment-bound 2,4,5-trichlorophenol
- Univ. of Joensuu (Finland)
Relationships between concentration of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP) in sediment, body residues of the chemical, and sublethal biological effects in three benthic invertebrates were studied. Uncontaminated lake sediment was spiked with four concentrations (23--85 {micro}g/g dry sediment) of TCP. Chironomid larvae (Chironomus riparius), oligochaete worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), and sphaeriid bivalves (Sphaerium corneum) were exposed to the sediment. The effect of chlorophenol on the rate of heat dissipation of animals was monitored by direct microcalorimetry. It appeared that both the behavior of the animals and their body residues explained the energetic response. Valve closure behavior of S. corneum reduced the accumulation of toxicant (< 0.3 {micro}mol/g) but was observed as a complex energetic response. Heat dissipation of L. variegatus was at the same level in control animals and those with high body residues of TCP (> 1.5 {micro}mol/g). Regardless of the amount of TCP accumulated to C. riparius (0.1--0.6 {micro}mol/g), the rate of heat dissipation was almost two times higher than that of the control animals, probably reflecting uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, which is the primary mode of toxic action of chlorophenols. However, when a threshold concentration was exceeded there was no concentration-response dependence until acute toxicity appears.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 201253
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Vol. 15, Issue 2; Other Information: PBD: Feb 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Chemical stress and metabolic rate in aquatic invertebrates: Threshold, dose-response relationships, and mode of toxic action
Lethal body burdens of chlorophenols and mixtures of chlorophenols in an oligochaete worm, Lumbriculus variegatus