Toxicity of silver to rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

The mean 96-h LC₅₀'s of silver with rainbow trout were 6.5 μg l⁻¹ and 13.0 μg l⁻¹ in soft water (approximately 26 mg l⁻¹ hardness as CaCO₃) and hard water (350 mg l⁻¹ hardness as CaCO₃), respectively. The long-term, “no effect” concentration for silver, added to the water as silver nitrate, was between 0.09 and 0.17 μg l⁻¹ after 18 months exposure in soft water. The “no effect” concentration is that concentration range which defines no observed effect. Based on mortalities different from the control, no mortalities attributable to silver occurred at 0.09 μg Ag l⁻¹, whereas 17.2% mortality occurred to fish exposed to 0.17 μg ll⁻¹. The “no effect” concentration does not reflect possible effects of silver on spawning behavior or reproduction, since female rainbow trout will not generally reach sexual maturity before 3 yr. At silver concentrations of 0.17 μg l⁻¹ or greater, silver caused premature hatching of eggs and reduced growth rate in fry. In one experiment, the eggs were completely hatched within 10 days of exposure; whereas, control eggs completed hatching after 42 days. The prematurely erupted fry were not well developed and frequently died. The growth rate of surviving fry was greatly reduced.     

Preliminary studies on the use of the heterotrophic activity method to evaluate acid-stress effects in aquatic environments

This paper concerns the usefulness of the “heterotrophic activity method” in studying the effects of acidification on mineralization activity in a lake in which acid rain is simulated, and in an acid-stressed lake. In the fall, the rates of glucose mineralization by the planktonic microflora of Bethel Lake followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics at the in situ pH (7.5 and at the two experimental pH's (5.5 and 5.0). Turnover times for glucose increased with decreasing pH and, correspondingly, V_max values decreased with decreasing pH. During ice-cover, only the in situ pH (6.85) gave a Michaelis-Menten response for glucose mineralization. At the experimental pH's, glucose mineralization activity was negligible. Analyses for soluble copper and nickel, the most important heavy metals in this environment with respect to concentration, indicated that the reduced glucose mineralization rates were not the result of our acidification increasing the heavy metal concentrations (and, therefore, their toxicity).For the acid-stressed Silver Lake, glucose mineralization was negligible at the in situ pH (4.3) and at the experimental pH's (5.5 and 7.0) as well. The application of this method in the study of acid-stressed lakes is discussed.     

The effects of depressed pH on spermatogenesis in flagfish Jordanella floridae

Mature male flagfish Jordanella floridae were continuously exposed to lake water with depressed pH levels of 6.0, 5.5, 5.0 and 4.5 during a 20 day period at 25°C. Quantitative histological analysis based upon the final stage of spermatogenesis prior to sperm formation indicated that the production of mature sperm was reduced at all pH values tested by 24.03, 27.03, 37.28 and 35.29% respectively when compared with the control at pH 6.7. Total volume of reproductive tissue relative to somatic tissue within the testes showed similar declines of 24.64, 25.39, 24.81 and 38.50% respectively compared to the control. The general decline in spermatogenesis was confirmed morphologically by increased occurrence of tubules devoid of sperm and was particularly evident at pH 4.5. Comparison of the present results with data from female ovaries of the same experiment suggests a higher sensitivity of developing eggs to declining pH when compared with developing sperm.     

The interaction of treated bleached kraft mill effluent and dissolved oxygen concentration on the survival of the developmental stages of the sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus)

The interactions of treated bleached kraft mill effluent (BKME) and dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) on the survival of the embryo, fry, juvenile and adult stages of the sheepshead minnow, Cyprinodon variegatus, were studied under continuous-flow 96 h bioassay conditions. Embryo survival was dependent on effluent concentration only and showed no interaction at nominal DO concentrations of 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mg l⁻¹. Survival of the fry was related solely to DO concentration with no interaction with BKME concentrations up to 100%. Juvenile sheepshead minnows showed increased sensitivity to BKME at a nominal DO concentration of 1.0 mg l⁻¹. Adult fish were not affected by BKME at any of the DO concentrations tested. This study shows that the acute toxicity of BKME effluent to sheepshead minnows is a function of the developmental stage of the organism and DO concentration in the receiving stream.     

Chronic toxicity of vanadium to flagfish

The 96-h LC50 of vanadium to adult American flagfish (Jordanella floridae) was 11.2 mg l⁻¹ in very hard water. Larvae showed 28-day LC50's of 1.13 and 1.88 mg l⁻¹ of vanadium with larger larvae being more resistant. These appeared to be thresholds of lethality. During continuous exposure for 96 days, larval growth and survival were the most sensitive indicators of vanadium toxicity and were marginally reduced at 0.17 mg l⁻¹. At 0.041 mg l⁻¹, there were no deleterious sublethal effects but there was definite stimulation of growth in females and of reproductive performance. The threshold for chronic toxicity was judged to be about 0.08 mg l⁻¹. The “safe”-to-lethal ratio was 0.007 and this could be used as an application factor for other species. There was no clear evidence that vanadium had any long-term cumulative toxicity.     

The effects of depressed pH on oogenesis in flagfish Jordanella floridae

Mature female flagfish Jordanella floridae were continuously exposed to pH levels of 6.7, 6.0, 5.5, 5.0 and 4.5 during a 20-d period. Quantitative histological analysis of oocyte numbers in six arbitrarily assigned stages of development indicates that the ability of oocytes to form mature eggs is reduced at all pH values tested to 20.7, 15.8, 2.1 and 8.2% respectively, when compared with control. This reduction is primarily produced by the loss of ability of oocytes to deposit secondary yolk within the cytoplasm. At pH 4.5 both primary and secondary yolk deposition is severely affected. Retardation of oocyte growth in Stages 2, 3, 4 and 5 is evident at all pH levels below 6.7, reflecting disturbances in protein production. This technique offers a method of assessing the reproductive capacity of fish from ovaries of mature breeding adults within the population.     

The influence of substrate, pH, diet and temperature upon cadmium accumulation in the asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea) in laboratory artificial streams

The influence of substrate, pH, diet and temperature upon the accumulation of cadmium (0.05 mg l⁻¹ dose < 0.001 mg l⁻¹ control) in the visceral mass of the Asiatic clam Corbicula fluminea was studied in laboratory artificial stream systems at intervals of 0, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14-day exposures. Four substrate conditions, sand; sand, silt and clay (SSC); sand, clay and organic matter (SCO); and no substrate (NoS), were considered. The greatest tissue accumulation of cadmium in C. fluminea occurred at 0.05 mg l⁻¹ Cd in NoS and the lowest in clams occupying SCO. Complexation of available metals, lower clam filtering rates and physical protection by the substrate were attributed to the depressed cadmium accumulation of clams exposed in the SCO substrate. Lower pH exposures (5.0 vs 7.8) significantly (P 0.05 level) reduced cadmium uptake at 21°C but had little effect at 9°C. Uptake was higher in clams fed with cadmium-exposed Chlamydomonas reinhardt at 21°C but not at 9°C. In temperature exposures alone at 0.05 mg l⁻¹ Cd, accumulation was significantly higher in C. fluminea exposed at 21°C than at 9°C. The results are discussed relative to the importance of standardized laboratory protocol and the use of C. fluminea as a bioindicator of heavy metal stress.     

A preliminary study of metal distribution in three waterhyacinth biotypes

Two waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) biotypes from Broward County, Florida, were collected and analyzed for chlorophyll content and metal distribution (potassium, calcium, magnesium, cobalt, copper, manganese and iron) in roots, stems and leaves. Two biotypes were distinguished by size (medium or “stunted”, and large or “super”) and by whether they were or were not eaten (“stunted” and ”super”, respectively) by the waterhyacinth weevil, Neochetina eichhorniae Warner. Results are compared with a third biotype (small or “normal”): i.e. plants from the Hillsborough and Peace Rivers where the weevils have not been released. The data indicate abnormal concentration of cobalt and iron in the leaves of the “super” plants relative to the third biotype. Fractions of calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron and copper in roots showed a significant, negative linear correlation coefficient, r, with solubility product constant (log K_sp) for metal carbonates of the small and medium biotypes.     

Compaction of flocculated material

The device used in the experiment consists of a flat-bottomed graduated cylinder and a coaxial plunger. A suspension flocculated with chemicals is sedimented after being mechanically worked within the graduate, and the supernatant water is removed with a pipette. The plunger is thrust into the sludge at a constant speed. The sludge is not only compressed but also flows into the annular gap between the plunger and the graduate, resulting in liberation of water. The liberated water is accumulated on the sludge in the annular gap. The “sludge bulkiness” β is used to describe the volumetric proportion of sludge and solids in it. The sludge bulkiness values before and after the “plunger test” are denoted as β_i and β_f, respectively. The values of β_i and β_j have been explored as a function of the time of the mechanical working. As a result, there is a definite time lag between the maximum value of β_i and the minimum value of β_f. The minimum value of β_j is obtained when the sludge consists of “pelleted flocs”.     

Glucose mineralization activity and the use of the heterotrophic activity method in an acidified lake

This paper concerns bacterial glucose mineralization in Silver Lake sampled during the summer; specifically, whether or not it occurs, and whether or not the “heterotrophic activity method” can be used to measure it, in this acidified lake.For Sampling I, linearity between turnover time (t/f) and added substrate concentration (A) did not exist at the in situ pH (3.2) or the experimental pH's (5.5 and 7.0), even though time studies showed that glucose was being mineralized at measurable rates. For Sampling II, modifications were made to the concentrations of labelled glucose and the incubation time. A highly significant linear relationship between t/f and A was demonstrated, and the turnover time and V_max were calculated to be 472.3 h and 0.005 μm l⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively. For Sampling III, even though the environmental conditions were similar to those for the previous sampling, a statistically-significant relationship between t/f and A did not result.     

Complexation analysis of fresh waters by equilibrium diafiltration

Equilibrium ultrafiltration has been employed to determine the extent of Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn and Zu chelation in oxic waters from mineralized terrains. Concentrations of Cu, Ni and Co were determined in different organic fractions separated by various Amicon ultrafilters. Titrations of fresh water samples with metal ions were made, and “free” metal concentration measured by equilibrium diafiltration. Experiments were made at concentrations and pH at which metals and ligands occur in natural waters. Conditional stability functions ranged from 10^6.72 at pH 6.5 to 10^7.07 at pH 7.6 for Ni and 10^6.85 at pH 6.8 to 10^6.97 at pH 7.6 for Co. At low metal concentrations (8 × 10⁻⁷ M) only one complexing class of major importance for natural water environments was observed. The order of metal complexing ability was found to be Cu > Ni > Co > Zn > Mn with Cu showing a preference towards the higher MW organic fractions.     

The stabilization of “dissolved” iron in freshwaters

Laboratory experiments have been conducted to see what substances are capable of holding iron at a concentration of about 1 ppm in a “dissolved” form (i.e. will pass through a 0.45 μm pore size filter) in oxygenated water. The results show that reagents capable of doing this include humic and tannic acids, surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulphate and sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate, and the inorganic ions silicate and phosphate. In contrast, the synthetic polymer polyvinylpyrrollidone and the simple ions Cl⁻, HCO₃⁻, SO₄⁻ and NO₃⁻ showed no ability to stabilise iron. The efficiency of phosphate at keeping iron in the “dissolved” state was found to decrease in the presence of cations, particularly divalent ones, but increased with rise in water pH in the range 6–11.It seems unlikely that much of the stabilization observed for any of the reagents tested is due to their forming complexes with the iron. A much more likely explanation is that the substances for which positive results were obtained are able to stabilize fine colloidal iron particles and inhibit them from forming larger aggregates.     

Effects of aluminum and pH on the early life stages of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui)

The sensitivity of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieui to acidified conditions was examined by exposing recently-hatched fish to pH levels ranging from 5.1 to 7.5 and aluminum concentrations ranging from 32 to 1000 μg l⁻¹. The range of pH and aluminum concentrations included those found in the northern part of the species' range. Acute bioassays (96 h) conducted at a pH of 5.1 and aluminum concentrations 180 μgl⁻¹ resulted in total mortality. The LC₅₀ calculated for this species was 130 μg l⁻¹. At pH values of 6.1 and 7.5, mortality was low ( 20%) regardless of aluminum concentrations. A 30-day chronic toxicity test was conducted at three pH levels (low 5.1, intermediate 5.5–5.7 and high 7.3), each with two aluminum concentrations (approx. 0 and 200 μg l⁻¹). Survival was significantly lower in the test at pH 5.1 with aluminum, and at pH 5.7 with aluminum treatments than in the other treatments. Fish in the pH 5.1 without aluminum treatment had intermediate survival, while fish exposed to pH 5.7 without aluminum, pH 7.3 without aluminum and pH 7.3 with aluminum had high, and similar, survival. Sublethal effects on fish exposed to low pH and aluminum included deformities, reduced activity and abnormal swimming behavior. We conclude that the sensitivity of smallmouth bass to low pH and aluminum concentrations corroborates field investigations linking acidification and aluminum mobilization with depletion of smallmouth bass populations.     

Influence sur la survie jusqu'a eclosion des embryons de carpe commune (cyprinus carpio l.) apres traitement, pendant la fecondation et le developpement precoce, par le carbendazime, un fongicide antimitotique de synthese

The toxicity of the systemic antimitotic fungicide carbendazim, a benzimidazol compound, was studied both by trout and common carp insemination, as well as on the early development of the common carp.The toxicity is several grades of magnitude higher for these stages of the vital cycle compared with the effect on the adult stages: whereas The Pesticide Manual states that for the adult Carp, an LC₁₀₀ (24 h) > 1000 mg 1⁻¹ we find, during insemination at pH 9: LC₁₀₀ (30 min) < 5 mg l⁻¹ and during insemination at pH 7: LC₁₀₀ (30 min) <2.5 min l⁻¹.During early development we find, for instance, LC₁₀₀ (30 min) < 5 mg 1⁻¹ before the end of activation and LC₁₀₀ (24 h) < 1 mg l⁻¹ before the end of epiboly.In the course of insemination, the egg is more sensitive to carbendazim at pH 7 than at pH 9: this difference may be attributed to a greater solubility of the non ionic form of the molecule in the biological membranes.The resistance of the embryo to short treatment grows at the end of activation. This may be attributed to the decrease of the shell permeability during activation.Before the end of activation, the resistance to short intoxication seems to be able to fluctuate, which perhaps corresponds to the existence of sensitive stages in the mitotic cycle.The resistance to an over 24-h exposure increases abruptly at the end of epiboly, which could correspond to a protective part played by the enveloping layer.We suggest the possibility of classifying aquatic pollutants by correlating their physiological mode of action to the resistance profile of the fish embryo.The carp egg seems to be a favourable biological model for studying the effects of aquatic pollutants.     

Essais d'aerateurs: Enseignements tires de 500 essais en eau claire effectues dans 200 stations d'epuration differentes—I. Methodologie

Aeration represents the main part of energy consumption in the activated sludge process and the evaluation of aeration systems efficiency is becoming more important, especially as energy cost increases. Since 1972, CEMAGREF teams have carried out more than 500 non-steady state clean water tests in sewage treatment plants. The first aim of these measurements was to compare the results collected in plants with those predicted by manufacturers.The distribution of the different types of aerators tested in the field by the CEMAGREF is given in Table 1. All tests are conducted using tap water under non-steady state conditions: the initial dissolved oxygen (DO) level is brought down to zero by adding cobalt chloride as catalyst and sodium sulfite. When all the sodium sulfite has been used, the increase in water dissolved oxygen content is monitored vs time in various places in the tank by means of membraned probes.The graphical procedure used for estimating the oxygen transfer coefficient (K_La) is shown in Fig. 1; this procedure is usually called “log deficit method”. The results are expressed for “standard conditions” (θ = 10°C; P = 760 mm Hg). The influence of temperature on oxygenation capacity is illustrated in Fig. 2.The water quality parameters that may affect oxygen transfer are investigated: it appears that only the presence of surfactants, flocculated suspended solids, or high salinity (conductivity > 1500 μS cm⁻¹—Table 2) are liable to have any appreciable effect on oxygen transfer. The unflocculated SS, pH and alkalinity have no effect on oxygenation results in the common range of values occurring in the tests (Table 3).Authors differ about the operational procedure in non-steady state clean water test. After 7 years' field-measurements the CEMAGREF teams have developed their own recommendations about test procedures; their main conclusions are the following:Dissolved oxygen analysis: the differences observed between the results ( ) obtained simultaneously by Winkler titration of piped samples and those from in-tank probes never exceed 4% (Table 4). Reliable dissolved oxygen probes are suitable for accurate measurements of oxygen transfer.The number of sampling points should be no smaller than three for aeration tanks with a volume below or equal to 500 m³. It should be recommended to add one sampling point for every additional 500 m³.Location of sampling points requires attention. Differences may appear according to the locations of probes in the basin (Tables 5, 6 and 7).Sulfite pre-dissolution has no influence on results and should be avoided whenever possible.     

Studies on the effects of sewage effluent on gastropod populations in experimental streams

Population density, biomass, growth and reproduction rate of the gastropods Lymnaea peregra (Müller) and Potamopyrgus jenkinsi (Smith) were monitored over a 21 month period in three experimental earth channels, one carrying clean river water and the others 25 and 50% treated sewage effluent mixed with river water. Each channel was divided into riffle and pool stretches; the abundance and biomass of both species were higher in the riffles. The abundance and biomass of L. peregra were significantly greater (P < 0.01) in the riffle in the presence of effluent. Concentration of effluent did not have a significant effect on abundance or biomass. The abundance and biomass of P. jenkinsi were significantly greater (P < 0.001) in riffle and pool in the absence of effluent. In addition, the abundance and biomass of P. jenkinsi were significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the 25% effluent channel than in 50% effluent. No significant differences in the growth of L. peregra between channels were observed. The average number of eggs and of egg masses laid by L. peregra was significantly greater (P < 0.01) in riffle and pool in the presence of effluent. In the riffle, significantly more masses (P < 0.05) and more eggs per adult (P < 0.01) were laid in the 25% effluent channel than in 50% effluent. No differences were observed in the reproduction rate per adult of P. jenkinsi between the 0 and 25% effluent channels. It is concluded that population differences between channels are probably largely the result of differing mortality rates.     

Towards a better understanding of high rate biological film flow reactor theory

On the assumption that performance of biological film flow reactors is independent of oxygen transfer, a theoretical extension of a mathematical model (after Ames) is described. This predictive and interpretive model incorporates both mass transfer-limitations between biomass and liquid film, and kinetic biological reaction rate of organic “food” utilization.Given general boundary conditions for the differential equations describing the mass transfer process, it is shown that: C_e = C_r + (C_l − C_r.exp(−K_m D/Q) where by definition: C_t = α C_s + C_r1/K_m = 1/K_LA_γ + α/Kx.For an influent concentration biochemical oxygen demand (C_i) and resultant effluent concentration (C_e) obtained during film flow through a packed media depth (D), the Model proposes that the residual concentration (C_r) is a function of surface irrigation rate (Q) and biomass activity. If this term is negative, adsorption occurs; while if positive, desorption from the biomass film at concentration (C_s) takes place.An overall mass transfer coefficient (K_m) is defined by a series equation where the usual mass transfer coefficient (K_L) is primarily a function of Reynolds Number [surface irrigation rate (Q) and specific surface area (A_V)], Schmidt Number (diffusivity of organic “Food”) and concentration. “Food” utilization at active sites on the biological film is governed by a specific adsorption coefficient (α) and explained by a Langmuir analogy. Biological conversion of “food” is described by a kinetic rate constant (K), while the necessary oxygen is defined by (X).This predictive model was developed from a wide range of pilot plant data, successfully tested further on a variety of published results and on actual full scale operating plants.Parameters derived from this Model, in terms of Height of Transfer Unit and Kinetic Reaction coefficient, characterize organic “treatability” for a variety of wastes.     

Milk trace elements in lactating cows environmentally exposed to higher level of lead and cadmium around different industrial units

The present investigation was carried out to assess the trace mineral profile of milk from lactating cows reared around different industrial units and to examine the effect of blood and milk concentration of lead and cadmium on copper, cobalt, zinc and iron levels in milk. Respective blood and milk samples were collected from a total of 201 apparently healthy lactating cows above 3 years of age including 52 cows reared in areas supposed to be free from pollution. The highest milk lead (0.85 ± 0.11 µg/ml) and cadmium (0.23 ± 0.02 µg/ml) levels were recorded in lactating cows reared around lead–zinc smelter and steel manufacturing plant, respectively. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher concentration of milk copper, cobalt, zinc and iron compared to control animals was recorded in cows around closed lead cum operational zinc smelter. Analysis of correlation between lead and other trace elements in milk from lactating cows with the blood lead level > 0.20 µg/ml (n = 79) revealed a significant negative correlations between milk iron and milk lead (r = − 0.273, P = 0.015). However, such trend was not recorded with blood lead level < 0.20 µg/ml (n = 122). The milk cobalt concentration was significantly correlated (r = 0.365, P < 0.001) with cadmium level in milk and the highest milk cadmium (> 0.10 to 0.39 µg/ml) group had significantly (P < 0.05) increased milk cobalt. It is concluded that increased blood and milk lead or cadmium level as a result of natural exposure of lactating cows to these environmental toxicants significantly influences trace minerals composition of milk and such alterations affect the milk quality and nutritional values.     

The residual oxygen bioassay: A rapid procedure to predict effluent toxicity to rainbow trout

A rapid bioassay procedure is described which for the toxic effluents tested, is sensitive to concentrations in the 96-h lc₅₀ range. The procedure requires less than eight hours to complete and is based on the consumption of available oxygen by fish in sealed containers.The procedure was evaluated using sodium pentachlorophenate, 3 kraft pulp mill bleach plant effluents and a chloralkali plant waste. The threshold concentrations obtained from the rapid procedure were directly comparable to 96-h lc₅₀ values obtained by standard methods. For replicate tests with sodium pentachlorophenate, no significant difference (p < 0.05) between means of data obtained by the two bioassay procedures could be demonstrated, using the Student “t”-test.     

A modified Hoek–Brown failure criterion for anisotropic intact rock

The Hoek–Brown criterion parameters (σ_ci, m_i and s) are significantly influenced by the strength anisotropy of intact rock. In the present study, the criterion was modified by incorporating a new parameter (k_β) to account for the effect of strength anisotropy, thus being able to determine the strength of intact anisotropic rock under loading in different orientations of the plane of anisotropy. The range of the parameter (k_β) for the rocks tested has been analytically investigated by carrying out triaxial tests, in different orientations of the foliation plane. The proposed modification was studied for metamorphic rocks (gneiss, schist, marble), but could also be applied to other rock types exhibiting “inherent” anisotropy, e.g. sedimentary as well as igneous rocks. The proposed modified criterion is intended for use for prediction of strength of intact rock, but can also be extended to rock masses.