Abstract
The demand for rare earth elements (REEs) is growing and as a result, environmental exposure is a concern. The objective of this research was to evaluate the acute toxicity of Tm to Hyalella azteca and to understand the potential for toxicity modification by dissolved organic matter (DOM) and the cations Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+. Standard methods were followed for 96 h static exposures in a medium with a hardness of 60 mg CaCO3/L, pH of 7.3 at 23 °C. H. azteca neonates (2–9 d of age) were used and in unmodified media the LC50 concentration was 3.4 µM [95% CI 2.9–3.9 µM; 573 µg/L (482–663)] based on measured dissolved concentrations at the end of the test. Tests done with different concentrations of Ca (0.25, 0.5 and 1.5 mM) did not show consistent trends and there was no clear evidence of a protective effect from Ca. Variations in Na (0.26, 0.5 and 1.6 mM) resulted in no significant changes in toxicity. Similarly, Mg (0.07, 0.14 and 0.4 mM) did not result in significant changes in LC50 values, except for a reduction in toxicity for measured total Tm at the lowest Mg concentration. Our results indicate that Tm toxicity is not influenced by cationic competition (Ca, Na and Mg). Dissolved organic matter (sourced from Luther Marsh ON) offered significant protection against Tm toxicity. Addition of 9 mg DOC/L resulted in significantly increased LC50 values. This study contributes toward understanding the toxicity of Tm and the importance of considering dissolved organic matter in estimating the potential for environmental risk of REEs.
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Data are available from the corresponding author.
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Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful for the technical expertise and assistance of Gena Braun of the Center for Cold Regions and Water Science and Jonathan Ford from the Biology Department at Laurier as well as the significant improvements suggested by the reviewers of the manuscript. This research was funded via a contribution agreement with Environment and Climate Change Canada and Strategic Grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (STPGP 479132 and 521467) with additional contributions/participation from Avalon Advanced Materials Inc., Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, International Zinc Association and Natural Resources Canada. This work was also supported by the Research Support Fund.
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Loveridge, A., Smith, D.S. & McGeer, J.C. Dissolved Organic Matter Mitigates the Acute Toxicity of Thulium to Hyalella azteca but Ca, Mg and Na Do Not. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 81, 637–647 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-021-00898-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-021-00898-0