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A biotic ligand model-based toxicodynamic approach to predict arsenic toxicity to tilapia gills in cultural ponds

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Abstract

Farming of tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus is an important aquacultural activity in Taiwan. Due to the elevated arsenic (As) concentration in pond water, it is important to assess the bioavailability and toxicity of As to tilapia for protection of aquatic life and human health. In the present study, we developed a biotic ligand model (BLM)-based toxicodynamic approach to dynamically predict both acute and chronic effective concentrations of As to tilapia in two tilapia farms located at Pudai and Chiangchun counties in southwestern Taiwan. Parameters revealed in the mechanistic model were obtained by fitting this model to the toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic data from our previous laboratory experiments. Based on our extended BLM concepts, the site-specific water effect ratios and ambient water quality criteria can be determined with known water chemistry. The proposed methodology was capable of bridging the gap between laboratory toxicity bioassays and field investigations. With respect to risk assessments, our research may also provide an useful means of generating and adjusting the site-specific ambient water quality criteria.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Post-Modern Agriculture, MingDao University, 52345, Changhua, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Bo-Ching Chen

  2. Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Wei-Yu Chen & Chung-Min Liao

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  1. Bo-Ching Chen
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  2. Wei-Yu Chen
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  3. Chung-Min Liao
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Correspondence to Chung-Min Liao.

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Chen, BC., Chen, WY. & Liao, CM. A biotic ligand model-based toxicodynamic approach to predict arsenic toxicity to tilapia gills in cultural ponds. Ecotoxicology 18, 377–383 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-008-0292-z

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