Elevated Magnesium Concentrations Research Articles

Saline mine water influences eukaryote life in shallow groundwater of a tropical sandy stream

Eukaryotic communities in groundwater may be particularly sensitive to disturbance because they are adapted to stable environmental conditions and often have narrow spatial distributions. Traditional methods for characterising these communities, focussing on groundwater-inhabiting macro- and meiofauna (stygofauna), are challenging because of limited taxonomic knowledge and expertise (particularly in less-explored regions), and the time and expense of morphological identification. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the vulnerability of eukaryote communities in shallow groundwater to mine water discharge containing elevated concentrations of magnesium (Mg) and sulfate (SO4). The study was undertaken in a shallow sand bed aquifer within a wet-dry tropical setting. The aquifer, featuring a saline mine water gradient primarily composed of elevated Mg and SO4, was sampled from piezometers in the creek channel upstream and downstream of the mine water influence during the dry season when only subsurface water flow was present. Groundwater communities were characterised using both morphological assessments of stygofauna from net samples and environmental DNA (eDNA) targeting the 18S rDNA and COI mtDNA genes. eDNA data revealed significant shifts in community composition in response to mine waters, contrasting with findings from traditional morphological composition data. Changes in communities determined using eDNA data were notably associated with concentrations of SO42−, Mg2+ and Na+, and water levels in the piezometers. This underscores the importance of incorporating molecular approaches in impact assessments, as relying solely on traditional stygofauna sampling methods in similar environments may lead to inaccurate conclusions about the responses of the assemblage to studied impacts.

Protozoan-Priming and Magnesium Conditioning Enhance Legionella pneumophila Dissemination and Monochloramine Resistance.

Opportunistic pathogens (OPs) are of concern in drinking water distribution systems because they persist despite disinfectant residuals. While many OPs garner protection from disinfectants via a biofilm lifestyle, Legionella pneumophila (Lp) also gains disinfection resistance by being harbored within free-living amoebae (FLA). It has been long established, but poorly understood, that Lp grown within FLA show increased infectivity toward subsequent FLA or human cells (i.e., macrophage), via a process we previously coined "protozoan-priming". The objectives of this study are (i) to identify in Lp a key genetic determinant of how protozoan-priming increases its infectivity, (ii) to determine the chemical stimulus within FLA to which Lp responds during protozoan-priming, and (iii) to determine if more infectious forms of Lp also exhibit enhanced disinfectant resistance. Using Acanthamoeba castellanii as a FLA host, the priming effect was isolated to Lp's sidGV locus, which is activated upon sensing elevated magnesium concentrations. Supplementing growth medium with 8 mM magnesium is sufficient to produce Lp grown in vitro with an infectivity equivalent to that of Lp grown via the protozoan-primed route. Both Lp forms with increased infectivity (FLA-grown and Mg2+-supplemented) exhibit greater monochloramine resistance than Lp grown in standard media, indicating that passage through FLA not only increases Lp's infectivity but also enhances its monochloramine resistance. Therefore, laboratory-based testing of disinfection strategies should employ conditions that simulate or replicate intracellular growth to accurately assess disinfectant resistance.

Hypermagnesemia in Clinical Practice.

Hypermagnesemia is a relatively uncommon but potentially life-threatening electrolyte disturbance characterized by elevated magnesium concentrations in the blood. Magnesium is a crucial mineral involved in various physiological functions, such as neuromuscular conduction, cardiac excitability, vasomotor tone, insulin metabolism, and muscular contraction. Hypomagnesemia is a prevalent electrolyte disturbance that can lead to several neuromuscular, cardiac, or nervous system disorders. Hypermagnesemia has been associated with adverse clinical outcomes, particularly in hospitalized patients. Prompt identification and management of hypermagnesemia are crucial to prevent complications, such as respiratory and cardiovascular negative outcomes, neuromuscular dysfunction, and coma. Preventing hypermagnesemia is crucial, particularly in high-risk populations, such as patients with impaired renal function or those receiving magnesium-containing medications or supplements. Clinical management of hypermagnesemia involves discontinuing magnesium-containing therapies, intravenous fluid therapy, or dialysis in severe cases. Furthermore, healthcare providers should monitor serum magnesium concentration in patients at risk of hypermagnesemia and promptly intervene if the concentration exceeds the normal range.

The effects of magnesium concentration in high-magnesium calcite allochems on dolomitization: Insights from high-temperature dolomite synthesis experiments

ABSTRACT Selective dolomitization of HMC allochems in Neogene carbonates is a common phenomenon. It has been proposed that the higher magnesium concentrations [Mg] in these allochems promotes dolomitization. To directly investigate the effects of [Mg] (reported as mol% MgCO3) in biogenic HMC on dolomitization, high-temperature (200 °C) dolomitization experiments were conducted. Dolomite reaction rate, stoichiometry, and microstructures were tracked during dolomitization for a variety of biogenic HMC reactants, including Goniolithon, Lithothamnion, Lithophyllum, Corallina officinalis, Heterocentrotus mamillatus, and Mellita quinquiesperforata. Solids were characterized using standard powdered X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In general, biogenic HMC reactants are progressively replaced by protodolomite products between 2 and 46 hours. In the experiment using Corallina officinalis, no products were detected by XRD after 46 hours. Initial protodolomite products are subsequently replaced by ordered dolomite as the reactions proceed. Dolomitization rate and protodolomite stoichiometry do not correlate with [Mg] of the biogenic HMC reactants. Dolomitized HMC skeletons reliably retain the original microstructure of the HMC reactants, consistent with the microcrystalline mimetic textures observed in nature. These findings collectively suggest that under the conditions investigated, dolomitization is less affected by the concentration of magnesium in the HMC reactants relative to other known factors, such as temperature, reactant mineralogy, organic content, skeletal texture, and fluid chemistry. These results imply that the observed correlation between coralline red algae abundance and global dolomitization events in the Neogene is not driven by the elevated magnesium concentration of the HMC reactants.

Massive cryptic microbe-sponge deposits in a Devonian fore-reef slope (Elbingerode Reef Complex, Harz Mts., Germany)

A massive occurrence of microbial carbonates, including abundant sponge remains, within the Devonian Elbingerode Reef Complex was likely deposited in a former cavity of the fore-reef slope during the early Frasnian. It is suggested that the formation of microbial carbonate was to a large part favored by the activity of heterotrophic, i.e., sulfate-reducing bacteria, in analogy to Quaternary coral reef microbialites. The Elbingerode Reef Complex is an example of an oceanic or Darwinian barrier reef system. In modern barrier reef settings, microbialite formation is commonly further facilitated by weathering products from the central volcanic islands. The Devonian microbialites of the Elbingerode Reef Complex occur in the form of reticulate and laminated frameworks. Reticulate framework is rich in hexactinellid glass sponges, the tissue decay of which led to the formation of abundant micrite as well as peloidal and stromatactis textures. Supposed calcimicrobes such as Angusticellularia (formerly Angulocellularia) and Frutexites, also known from cryptic habitats, were part of the microbial association. The microbial degradation of sponge tissue likely also contributed to the laminated framework accretion as evidenced by the occurrence of remains of so-called “keratose” demosponges. Further typical textures in the microbialite of the Elbingerode Reef Complex include zebra limestone, i.e., the more or less regular intercalation of microbial carbonate and cement. Elevated concentrations of magnesium in the microbialite as compared to the surrounding metazoan (stromatoporoid-coral) reef limestone suggests that the microbialite of the Elbingerode Reef Complex was initially rich in high-magnesium calcite, which would be yet another parallel to modern, cryptic coral reef microbial carbonates. Deposition and accretion of the microbialite largely occurred in oxygenated seawater with suboxic episodes as indicated by the trace element (REE + Y) data.

Heat flows in rock cracks naturally optimize salt compositions for ribozymes.

Catalytic nucleic acids, such as ribozymes, are central to a variety of origin-of-life scenarios. Typically, they require elevated magnesium concentrations for folding and activity, but their function can be inhibited by high concentrations of monovalent salts. Here we show that geologically plausible high-sodium, low-magnesium solutions derived from leaching basalt (rock and remelted glass) inhibit ribozyme catalysis, but that this activity can be rescued by selective magnesium up-concentration by heat flow across rock fissures. In contrast to up-concentration by dehydration or freezing, this system is so far from equilibrium that it can actively alter the Mg:Na salt ratio to an extent that enables key ribozyme activities, such as self-replication and RNA extension, in otherwise challenging solution conditions. The principle demonstrated here is applicable to a broad range of salt concentrations and compositions, and, as such, highly relevant to various origin-of-life scenarios.

Trace Element Concentrations Associated with Mid-Paleozoic Microfossils as Biosignatures to Aid in the Search for Life.

Identifying microbial fossils in the rock record is a difficult task because they are often simple in morphology and can be mimicked by non-biological structures. Biosignatures are essential for identifying putative fossils as being definitively biological in origin, but are often lacking due to geologic effects which can obscure or erase such signs. As such, there is a need for robust biosignature identification techniques. Here we show new evidence for the application of trace elements as biosignatures in microfossils. We found elevated concentrations of magnesium, aluminum, manganese, iron, and strontium colocalized with carbon and sulfur in microfossils from Drummond Basin, a mid-Paleozoic hot spring deposit in Australia. Our results also suggest that trace element sequestrations from modern hot spring deposits persist through substantial host rock alteration. Because some of the oldest fossils on Earth are found in hot spring deposits and ancient hot spring deposits are also thought to occur on Mars, this biosignature technique may be utilized as a valuable tool to aid in the search for extraterrestrial life.

Elevated Magnesium Concentrations Altered Freshwater Assemblage Structures in a Mesocosm Experiment.

Magnesium (Mg) is a mining-related contaminant in the Alligators Rivers Region of tropical northern Australia. A mesocosm experiment was used to assess Mg toxicity to aquatic freshwater assemblages. Twenty-five 2700-L tubs were arranged, stratified randomly, on the bed of Magela Creek, a seasonally flowing, sandy stream channel in the Alligator Rivers Region of northern Australia. The experiment comprised 5 replicates of 4 nominal Mg treatments, 2.5, 7.5, 23, and 68 mg L-1 , and a control. Phytoplankton biomass, and diatom, zooplankton, and macroinvertebrate assemblages present in the treatment tubs were sampled before and after Mg addition. A significant negative relationship between phytoplankton biomass and Mg was observed 4 wk after Mg addition as measured by chlorophyll a concentrations (r2 = 0.97, p = 0.01). This result was supported by reductions in some major phytoplankton groups in response to increasing Mg concentrations, in the same experiment and from independent field studies. There was a significant negative relationship between zooplankton assemblage similarity (to control) and Mg concentrations (r2 = 0.96, p = 0.002). Seven weeks after Mg addition, macroinvertebrate assemblages were dominated by 3 microcrustacean groups (Ostracoda, Cladocera, and Copepoda), each reaching maximum abundance at intermediate Mg concentrations (i.e., unimodal responses). The responses of phytoplankton and zooplankton were used to derive assemblage effect concentrations (Mg concentrations resulting in x% of the assemblage change [ECx]). Magnesium concentrations resulting in assemblage EC01 values were <3 mg L-1 . Together with candidate guideline values from other laboratory- and field-based lines of evidence, the mesocosm EC01 values were incorporated into a weight-of-evidence framework for a robust regulatory approach to environmental protection. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1973-1987. © 2020 Commonwealth of Australia. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Cyclic Di-AMP Homeostasis in Bacillus subtilis: BOTH LACK AND HIGH LEVEL ACCUMULATION OF THE NUCLEOTIDE ARE DETRIMENTAL FOR CELL GROWTH

The genome of the Gram-positive soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis encodes three potential diadenylate cyclases that may synthesize the signaling nucleotide cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP). These enzymes are expressed under different conditions in different cell compartments, and they localize to distinct positions in the cell. Here we demonstrate the diadenylate cyclase activity of the so far uncharacterized enzymes CdaA (previously known as YbbP) and CdaS (YojJ). Our work confirms that c-di-AMP is essential for the growth of B. subtilis and shows that an excess of the molecule is also harmful for the bacteria. Several lines of evidence suggest that the diadenylate cyclase CdaA is part of the conserved essential cda-glm module involved in cell wall metabolism. In contrast, the CdaS enzyme seems to provide c-di-AMP for spores. Accumulation of large amounts of c-di-AMP impairs the growth of B. subtilis and results in the formation of aberrant curly cells. This phenotype can be partially suppressed by elevated concentrations of magnesium. These observations suggest that c-di-AMP interferes with the peptidoglycan synthesis machinery. The activity of the diadenylate cyclases is controlled by distinct molecular mechanisms. CdaA is stimulated by a regulatory interaction with the CdaR (YbbR) protein. In contrast, the activity of CdaS seems to be intrinsically restricted, and a single amino acid substitution is sufficient to drastically increase the activity of the enzyme. Taken together, our results support the idea of an important role for c-di-AMP in B. subtilis and suggest that the levels of the nucleotide have to be tightly controlled.

Possible Effects of Moss on Distribution and Performance of a Threatened Endemic Primrose

ARSTRACT. Mosses may compete with vascular plants for limited soil resources, facilitate vascular plants by buffering extremes in abiotic conditions, and potentially trap seeds and provide safe sites for germination and establishment. We conducted a field study to investigate the effects of moss on the distribution and performance of Primula cusickiana var. maguirei, a threatened endemic perennial forb that occurs in an extremely narrow range within a single canyon in northern Utah, USA. Within the study population, we found that primroses occurred far more often on moss patches than on other substrates and that primroses occurring on moss patches had increased basal area and flower production. Furthermore, analyses revealed that soil under moss patches with primrose present had more organic matter, elevated magnesium concentrations, and lower Ca:Mg ratios. Our results suggest at least 3 hypotheses that may be evaluated through future studies. First, moss may facilitate P. cusickiana var. maguirei via the...

Magnesium used in bioabsorbable stents controls smooth muscle cell proliferation and stimulates endothelial cells in vitro

Magnesium-based bioabsorbable cardiovascular stents have been developed to overcome limitations of permanent metallic stents, such as late stent thrombosis. During stent degradation, endothelial and smooth muscle cells will be exposed to locally high magnesium concentrations with yet unknown physiological consequences. Here, we investigated the effects of elevated magnesium concentrations on human coronary artery endothelial and smooth muscle cell (HCAEC, HCASMC) growth and gene expression. In the course of 24 h after incubation with magnesium chloride solutions (1 or 10 mM) intracellular magnesium level in HCASMC raised from 0.55 ± 0.25 mM (1 mM) to 1.38 ± 0.95 mM (10 mM), while no increase was detected in HCAEC. Accordingly, a DNA microarray-based study identified 69 magnesium regulated transcripts in HCAEC, but 2172 magnesium regulated transcripts in HCASMC. Notably, a significant regulation of various growth factors and extracellular matrix components was observed. In contrast, viability and proliferation of HCAEC were increased at concentrations of up to 25 mM magnesium chloride, while in HCASMC viability and proliferation appeared to be unaffected. Taken together, our data indicate that magnesium halts smooth muscle cell proliferation and stimulates endothelial cell proliferation, which might translate into a beneficial effect in the setting of stent associated vascular injury.

Assessment of magnesium chloride as an anaesthetic for adult sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus): incidence on mortality and spawning

During this study different concentrations of magnesium chloride (MgCl2) were tested on adult wild-caught sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus) immediately after their collection in the field in order to assess whether MgCl2 can act as an anaesthetic during their transport and prevent unplanned spawning. Such accidental spawning is a stress response associated with transport of this species. The mortality and gonadal indices were recorded after a 1-h submersion in different strength solutions of MgCl2 (5, 20, 40, 80 and 100 mmol L−1 MgCl2), followed by 5 h of dry transport under two different temperatures (19 and 25 °C). The effective concentration of MgCl2 was defined as one that does not induce mortality and gonad mass loss following sea urchin transport and laboratory conditioning. Treatment of sea urchins with 5 mmol L−1 MgCl2 prevented mortality and unplanned spawning; however, elevated concentrations of magnesium (40, 80 and 100 mM) were toxic to sea urchins, inducing a massive mortality and gonad mass decrease during the acclimatization period, essentially when sea urchins were transported under an elevated temperature (25 °C). It is concluded that MgCl2 is a suitable non-toxic anaesthetic, easily available for adult sea urchins (P. lividus) when it is used at its optimal anaesthetizing concentration.

Unphysiologically High Magnesium Concentrations Support Chondrocyte Proliferation and Redifferentiation

The effect of unphysiologically high extracellular magnesium concentrations on chondrocytes, induced by the supplementation of magnesium sulfate, was studied using a 3-phase tissue engineering model. The experiments showed that chondrocyte proliferation and redifferentiation, on the gene and protein expression level, are enhanced. A negative influence was found during chondrogenesis where an inhibition of extracellular matrix formation was observed. In addition, a direct impact on chondrocyte metabolism, elevated magnesium concentrations also affected growth factor effectiveness by consecutive influences during chondrogenesis. All observations were dosage dependent. The results of this study indicate that magnesium may be a useful tool for cartilage tissue engineering.

Evaluation of the Conformational Switch Model for Alfalfa Mosaic Virus RNA Replication

Key elements of the conformational switch model describing regulation of alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) replication (R. C. Olsthoorn, S. Mertens, F. T. Brederode, and J. F. Bol, EMBO J. 18:4856-4864, 1999) have been tested using biochemical assays and functional studies in nontransgenic protoplasts. Although comparative sequence analysis suggests that the 3' untranslated regions of AMV and ilarvirus RNAs have the potential to fold into pseudoknots, we were unable to confirm that a proposed pseudoknot forms or has a functional role in regulating coat protein-RNA binding or viral RNA replication. Published work has suggested that the pseudoknot is part of a tRNA-like structure (TLS); however, we argue that the canonical sequence and functional features that define the TLS are absent. We suggest here that the absence of the TLS correlates directly with the distinctive requirement for coat protein to activate replication in these viruses. Experimental data are evidence that elevated magnesium concentrations proposed to stabilize the pseudoknot structure do not block coat protein binding. Additionally, covarying nucleotide changes proposed to reestablish pseudoknot pairings do not rescue replication. Furthermore, as described in the accompanying paper (L. M. Guogas, S. M. Laforest, and L. Gehrke, J. Virol. 79:5752-5761, 2005), coat protein is not, by definition, inhibitory to minus-strand RNA synthesis. Rather, the activation of viral RNA replication by coat protein is shown to be concentration dependent. We describe the 3' organization model as an alternate model of AMV replication that offers an improved fit to the available data.

Inhibition of Transfer Messenger RNA Aminoacylation and trans-Translation by Aminoglycoside Antibiotics

Transfer messenger RNA (tmRNA) directs the modification of proteins of which the biosynthesis has stalled or has been interrupted. Here, we report that aminoglycosides can interfere with this quality control system in bacteria, termed trans-translation. Neomycin B is the strongest inhibitor of tmRNA aminoacylation with alanine (K(i) value of approximately 35 micro m), an essential step during trans-translation. The binding sites of neomycin B do not overlap with the identity determinants for alanylation, but the aminoglycoside perturbs the conformation of the acceptor stem that contains the aminoacylation signals. Aminoglycosides reduce the conformational freedom of the transfer RNA-like domain of tmRNA. Additional contacts between aminoglycosides and tmRNA are within the tag reading frame, probably also disturbing reprogramming of the stalled ribosomes prior protein tagging. Aminoglycosides impair tmRNA aminoacylation in the presence of all of the transfer RNAs from Escherichia coli, small protein B, and elongation factor Tu, but when both proteins are present, the inhibition constant is 1 order of magnitude higher. SmpB and elongation factor Tu have RNA chaperone activities, ensuring that tmRNA adopts an optimal conformation during aminoacylation.

EFFECT OF MAGNESIUM ON THE GROWTH AND ALKALOID PRODUCTION OF HAIRY ROOT CULTURES

EFFECT OF MAGNESIUM ON THE GROWTH AND ALKALOID PRODUCTION OF HAIRY ROOT CULTURES

The magnesium and calcium content of pre- and postmenopausal myometrium

Magnesium and calcium, as well as sodium and potassium, have an important influence on the physiology of contraction of the uterus. The ionic concentrations in the pre- and postmenopausal myometrium were examined. We assumed, that there are differences in the electrolytic contents because of the different functions of the corpus, isthmic part and cervix uteri during pregnancy and throughout labour. Small tissue samples from 37 premenopausal and 20 postmenopausal patients, who underwent an operation with different indications, were dissected after hysterectomy. Magnesium and calcium levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and potassium and sodium by emission spectrometry in the wet tissue. In both groups, we found significant differences of the electrolytic contents of the myometrium. In the premenopausal uteri, the magnesium levels decrease significantly (p < 0.001) from the corpus (mean = 4.14 mmol/kg) to the cervix (mean = 2.14 mmol/kg). The same scenario can be observed for the potassium levels (Corpus mean = 56.2 mmol/kg and cervix mean = 25.4 mmol/kg). In contrary, the calcium levels (Corpus mean = 1.60 mmol/kg and cervix mean = 2.26 mmol/kg) and sodium levels (Corpus mean = 69.3 mmol/kg and cervix mean = 93.0 mmol/kg) increase significantly (p < 0.001). In the postmenopausal group, we found slightly elevated concentrations of magnesium, sodium and potassium. Only the calcium content of the corpus uteri rises up to three times about 20 years after the menopause (from mean = 1.60 mmol/kg) (p < 0.001). The electrolytic contents in the myometrium were shown to be different in the corpus, isthmus and cervix uteri.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antagonistic effects of perilymphatic calcium and magnesium on the activity of single cochlear afferent neurons.

The dependence of the spontaneous and sound driven activity of single cochlear nerve fibers on the calcium and magnesium content of the perilymph was studied by perfusion of the perilymphatic space. It was possible to study these effects under steady-state conditions by continuously perfusing scala tympani at low rates while simultaneously recording from units in the chinchilla auditory nerve. Preparations were stable for many hours. As previously reported [Robertson and Johnstone (1979) Pflügers Arch. 380, 7-12], perfusion with solutions containing elevated concentrations of magnesium reduces both the spontaneous and driven activity. When calcium was eliminated from the perfusate, activity was completely abolished for stimuli with sound pressure levels below 100 dB. During partial blocks, a relatively frequency-independent threshold elevation was seen for frequencies well below the characteristic frequency (CF) of the unit, with greater elevations closer to CF. When the threshold elevation at CF was 30-40 dB, the width of the 'tip' portion of the tuning curve was reduced, resembling that of naturally-occurring units with low spontaneous rates of discharge. These effects are similar to that of raising the criterion for response during threshold measurement and are probably related to a frequency-dependent nonlinearity exhibited by the motion of the basilar membrane. The dynamic range for the growth of average rate with level was increased and saturation was shifted to higher stimulus levels during elevated magnesium perfusion. Raising the calcium content of the perfusate increased both spontaneous and driven rates, even in the saturated portion of the rate-intensity plot. Under these conditions, the response of the unit may more directly correspond to the intracellular potential of the presynaptic hair cell. It is argued that the primary site of divalent cation interaction is in the control of transmitter release. Inner hair cells of the mammalian cochlea apparently do not release transmitter in the absence of a calcium influx. The size of the pool of 'readily-available' transmitter appears to be influenced by divalent cations. Even though this synapse is probably specialized for the transmission of auditory signals, the mechanism of synaptic transmission is probably not fundamentally different from that of other well-characterized synapses.

Two bacteriophages of Clostridium difficile.

Two temperate bacteriophages of differing morphology and host range were isolated by screening 94 isolates of Clostridium difficile. Phage 41 had a 300-nm flexible tail, whereas phage 56 had a shorter tail with a contractile sheath. Electron microscopy of phage 56 lysates exposed to elevated magnesium concentrations showed small virus-like particles which were 21 nm in diameter. The addition of MgCl2 to semisolid agar overlays enhanced both the titer and plaque size of phage 56. Phage 56 was more temperature labile than phage 41 and demonstrated unusual lability in buffer at pH 7.0. One-step growth and adsorption experiments revealed that both phages had latent periods of about 60 min, but phage 56 adsorbed to its indicator strain more efficiently. Phage 56, which was obtained from a toxigenic strain of C. difficile, was used to lysogenize its nontoxigenic indicator strain, but no conversion to toxigenicity was observed in this strain.

Electrolyte and Water Balance in Plasma and Urine of Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri) during Chronic Exposure to Cadmium

Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) were exposed to 3.6 and 6.4 μg Cd/L for periods up to 178 d. Transitory changes in plasma calcium and magnesium were observed in fish exposed to 3.6 μg Cd/L although the differences were not significant. Exposure to 6.4 μg Cd/L, however, resulted in significantly lowered plasma sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride and elevated magnesium concentrations. Analyses of urine indicated that the rate of urine production, osmolality, and sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, calcium, and protein concentrations were unaffected by exposure to 3.6 μg Cd/L although slight changes were observed in the first week of exposure. Urine production rate and urinary concentrations of potassium and chloride were unaffected in trout exposed to 6.4 μg Cd/L but sodium, protein, and osmolality were elevated and calcium and magnesium concentrations reduced in these fish. The results demonstrate that the majority of the cadmium-induced electrolyte imbalances do not result from impairment of renal function.