The effect of creosote on growth and membrane integrity of the aquatic macrophyte, Myriophyllum sp.
- Univ. of Guelph, Ontario (Canada)
- Univ. of Waterloo, Ontario (Canada)
Creosote is a coal-tar distillate used as a wood preservative on railway ties and dock pilings. Its use in aquatic systems indicates a possible risk to the aquatic community through leaching of creosote components into the water column or sediment. A study has been initiated at the University of Guelph (Ontario, Canada) to determine bioindicators of exposure and effects of creosote on freshwater systems. A laboratory study was conducted to determine the effects of creosote exposure on the rooted, aquatic macrophyte Myriophyllum sp. Using an aseptic culture of Myriophyllum and 3 cm buds grown from single nodes, a growth assay was conducted during which Myriophyllum were exposed for 14 days to concentrations ranging from 0.16 mg/L to 200 mg/L creosote. Growth measurements included: shoot length; number of nodes, buds and roots; total shoot and root length; and growth curves over the exposure period. From the information gathered from the growth assay, 5 creosote concentrations were chosen and used for membrane integrity studies. Myriophyllum were exposed to creosote for either 4 or 12 day periods, after which membrane fluidity was determined by fluorescence depolarization, and electrolyte and K+ leakage were determined by conductivity and atomic absorption spectrophotometry, respectively. The results of both the growth and membrane assays will be discussed.
- OSTI ID:
- 460478
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-961149-; TRN: IM9718%%59
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 17. annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: partnerships for the environment - science, education, and policy, Washington, DC (United States), 17-21 Nov 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of SETAC 17. annual meeting -- Abstract book. Partnerships for the environment: Science, education, and policy; PB: 378 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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