Abstract
The effects of a model mixture (HMMM) of seven heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd, Mn) on the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss at all stages of development (embryos, larvae, adults) were investigated based on the annual average concentrations of these metals in cooling waste waters discharging from Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (Lithuania) into the Drūkšiai lake. According to mortality parameters, the most sensitive to HMMM were larvae, although no significant differences between the sensitivity of embryos and adult fish to HMMM were found. Maximal toxic effect of HMMM was observed during the hatching period. Long-term exposure to sublethal concentrations of HMMM affected embryo development, growth of larvae, their cardio-respiratory and behavioural responses, induced significant changes in morphological, morpho-physiological, physiological and haematological parameters of adult fish. Respiratory responses and growth parameters of fish were found to be the most sensitive to low concentrations of HMMM. Adult fish were capable of detecting and avoiding low, sublethal concentrations of HMMM. Heavy metals in a mixture at low concentrations were more toxic than single ones. According to the background of the damages induced by HMMM, after-effects in a fish organism, as well as in a whole population, can be predicted.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anonymous (1997): Annual Report of Water Quality of Rivers of Lithuania (1996). Ministry of Environmental Protection ofLithuanian Republic, Vilnius (in Lithuanian)
Birge WJ, Black JA (1979): Effects of copper on embryonic and juvenile stages of aquatic animals. In: Nriagu JO (Ed) Copper in the environment. Part 2: health effects. John Wiley, New York, pp 373–399
Canna-Michaelidou ST, Nicolaou AS, Neophytou E, Christodoulidou M (1999): Toxicity testing for effective monitoring and sustainability of aquatic environment. In: SECOTOX 99, Fifth European Conference on Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Neuherberg/Munich, Germany, p O D1
Eisler R (1993): Zinc hazards to fish, wildlife, and invertebrates: A synoptic review. US Fish and Wildlife S Biological Report 10, 106 pp
Eisler R (1998): Copper hazards to fish, wildlife, and invertebrates: a synoptic review. Biological Science Report USGS/ BRD/BSR-1997-0002, 99 pp
Flerov BA (1989): Ecological and physiological aspects of toxicology in fresh-water animals. Nauka, Leningrad (in Russian)
Golovina NA, Trombickij ID (1989): Haematology of pond fishes. Shtiinca, Kisinev 158 pp (in Russian)
Hamilton MA, Russo RC, Thurston RV (1977): Trimmed Spear-man-Karber method for estimating median lethal concentrations in toxicity bioassays. Environ Sci Technol 11: 714–719
Jezierska B, Slominska I (1997): The effect of copper on common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) during embryonic and postembryonic development. Pol Arch Hydrobiol 44: 261–272
Kazlauskiene N, Burba A, Svecevičius G (1994): Acute toxicity of five galvanic heavy metals to hydrobionts. Ekologija 1: 33–36
Kazlauskiene N, Burba A, Svecevičius G (1996): Reactions of hydrobionts on effect of mixture of five galvanic heavy metals. Ekologija 4: 56–59
Kazlauskiene N, Stasiunaite P (1999): The lethal and sublethal effect of heavy metal mixture on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Acta Zoologica Lithuanica 9 (2): 47–56
Kloepper-Sams PJ, Swanson SM, Marchant T, Schryer R, Owens JW (1994): Exposure of fish to biologically treated bleachedkraft effluent. 1. Biochemical, physiological and pathological assessment of rocky mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) and longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus). Environ Toxicol Chem 13 (9): 1469–1482
Mckim JM (1985): Early life stage toxicity tests. In: Rand GM, Petrocelli SR (Eds) Fundamentals of Aquatic Toxicology. Hemisphere Publ. Corp., New York, pp 48–95
Rand GM, Petrocelli SR (Eds) 1985 Fundamentals of Aquatic Toxicology. Hemisphere Publ. Corp., New York, 666 pp
Sindermann CJ (1984): Fish and environmental impact. Arch Fisch Wiss 35 (1): 125–160
Sprague JB, Drury DE (1969): Avoidance reactions of salmonid fish to representative pollutants. In: Jekins SH (Ed) Adv Water Pollut Res 4: 169–179
Svobodova Z, Vykusova B (Eds) (1991): Diagnostics, Prevention and Therapy of Fishes Diseases and Intoxications. Vodnany, Chechoslovakia, 270 pp
Svecevičius G (1998): Fish Community Reactions to Heavy Metal Gradients. Proc Latvian Acad Sci, Section B, 52: 150–152
Svecevičius G (1999): Fish Behavioral Adaptation Capabilities to Heavy Metals. In: Lovejoy DA (Ed) Heavy Metals in the Environment: An Integrated Approach, Karminas, LITHUANIA, 275–277
Vosyliene MZ, Svecevičius G, Šyviene S (1994): Toxicity of Factory Wastewaters and Heavy Metal Solutions to Rainbow Trout. In: Thurston RV (Ed) Environmental Studies in the Nemunas River Basin, Lithuania. US EPA/600/R-94/155, 107–115
Vosyliene MZ, Svecevičius G (1997): Sublethal Effects on Rainbow Trout of Chronic Exposures to Mixtures of Heavy Metals. In: RV Thurston (Ed) Fish Physiology, Toxicology, and Water Quality. US EPA/600/R-97/098, 141–151
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Vosylienė, M.Z., Kazlauskienė, N. & Svecevičius, G. Effect of a heavy metal model mixture on biological parameters of rainbow trout oncorhynchus mykiss . Environ Sci & Pollut Res 10, 103–107 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1065/espr2002.02.109
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1065/espr2002.02.109