Interacting Effects of pH Acclimation, pH, and Heavy Metals on Acute and Chronic Toxicity to Ceriodaphnia dubia (Cladocera)

Abstract

Understanding the factors that modify the sensitivity of the zooplankton Ceriodaphnia dubia to toxicants is important to the interpretation of chronic toxicity data generated for granting industrial permits. Early reports of high sensitivity of Ceriodaphnia to brief pH excursions led toxicologists to question the use of C. dubia as a test organism. Acute and chronic toxicity of pH and heavy metals, pH acclimation to acidic and alkaline conditions and the role of pH in modifying heavy metal (copper and zinc) toxicities were investigated. Ceriodaphnia dubia acclimated near neutral pH had acute (48-hr) lethal concentrations of 4.6 and 10.3 SU. Reproduction and mortality were not impaired between pH 6.14-8.99 regardless of pH acclimation history. Reproduction was significantly impaired beyond these extremes. Acute exposures to both heavy metals at pH 6, 8 and 9 and in water hardness of 180, 110 and 100 mg/L showed C dubia was consistently most sensitive in low pH and low hardness waters. Reproduction and mortality were not so affected by pH in chronic exposures. Similar concentrations of metals at all pH levels resulted in equivalent reductions in offspring per female. The results strongly suggest that effluent guidelines for pH at 6-9 are sound, and that toxicantmore » activity in chronic time frames is directed primarily by concentration and water hardness, not by pH. 34 refs., 2 figs., 8 tabs.« less