Abstract
Freshwater quality criteria for iron (Fe), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) were developed with particular reference to aquatic biota in Malaysia, and based on USEPA's guidelines. Acute toxicity tests were performed on eight different freshwater domestic species in Malaysia which were Macrobrachium lanchesteri (prawn), two fish: Poecilia reticulata and Rasbora sumatrana, Melanoides tuberculata (snail), Stenocypris major (ostracod), Chironomus javanus (midge larvae), Nais elinguis (annelid), and Duttaphrynus melanostictus (tadpole) to determine 96 h LC50 values for Fe, Pb, Ni, and Zn. The final acute value (FAV) for Fe, Pb, Ni, and Zn were 74.5, 17.0, 165, and 304.9 μg L−1, respectively. Using an estimated acute-to-chronic ratio (ACR) of 8.3, the value for final chronic value (FCV) was derived. Based on FAV and FCV, a criterion maximum concentration (CMC) and a criterion continuous concentration (CCC) for Fe, Pb, Ni, and Zn that are 37.2, 8.5, 82.5, and 152.4 μg L−1 and 9.0, 2.0, 19.9, and 36.7 μg L−1, respectively, were derived. The results of this study provide useful data for deriving national or local water quality criteria for Fe, Pb, Ni, and Zn based on aquatic biota in Malaysia. Based on LC50 values, this study indicated that N. elinguis, M. lanchesteri, N. elinguis, and R. sumatrana were the most sensitive to Fe, Pb, Ni, and Zn, respectively.
Highlights
Metal contamination has been shown to have serious effects on both the environment and humans
Malaysia has a lack of water quality criteria (WQC) based on local aquatic biota
The existing water quality standards (WQSs) for metals in Malaysia (National Water Quality Standards) are based mainly on foreign criteria or standards, which have different environmental conditions compared to Malaysia
Summary
Metal contamination has been shown to have serious effects on both the environment and humans. Many factors (physical, chemical, and biological) are known to affect the toxicity of metals to aquatic organisms These factors, especially the differences in taxonomic composition of Malaysian waters compared to those for which WQSs were developed, could result in foreign water quality criteria or standards that are overprotective or underprotective for aquatic ecosystems in Malaysia. In order to protect aquatic ecosystems in Malaysia, it is necessary to develop WQC for metals based on the responses of domestic aquatic biota with local environmental factors.
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