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Acute Toxicity of Aqueous Copper, Cadmium, and Zinc to the Mayfly Rhithrogena hageni

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Abstract

Heptageniid mayfly nymphs have been suggested as sensitive indicators of metal contamination in streams based on biomonitoring studies, experimentation in situ, and experimentation in microcosm. Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate the sensitivity of Rhithrogena hageni, a heptageniid mayfly, to waterborne copper, cadmium, and zinc. Tests were conducted with soft water (hardness = 40–50 mg/L) at about 12°C. Toxicity endpoints were survival and moulting (%/day). Median 96 hr lethal concentrations were 0.137, 10.5, and 50.5 mg/L for copper, cadmium and zinc, respectively. The average daily moulting rate of survivors significantly decreased after exposure to these metals in solution.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by EPA region 8 and by US Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Aid Grant F-243. The authors wish to thank Daria Hansen for her assistance with the tests, and Dr. William Clements whose comments greatly improved this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

    Stephen F. Brinkman & Walter D. Johnston

  2. Colorado Division of Wildlife, 317 West Prospect Rd., Fort Collins, CO, USA

    Stephen F. Brinkman

Authors
  1. Stephen F. Brinkman
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  2. Walter D. Johnston
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Correspondence to Stephen F. Brinkman.

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Brinkman, S.F., Johnston, W.D. Acute Toxicity of Aqueous Copper, Cadmium, and Zinc to the Mayfly Rhithrogena hageni . Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 54, 466–472 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-007-9043-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-007-9043-z

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