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Uptake and elimination of waterborne cadmium by the fishNoemacheilus barbatulus L. (stone loach)

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Abstract

Fish,Noemacheilus barbatulus L. (stone loach), were exposed to cadmium in water to study rates of uptake and loss in three experiments: one during which they were exposed for up to 4 days to 1.0 mg/L cadmium and subsequently kept in clean water for up to another 8 days at 8°, 16° and 18°C; a second one during which fish were exposed to a range of cadmium concentrations in water (0.08–0.93 mg/L) and a third one during which they were starved or fed withTubifex while some were exposed to 0.067 mg/L cadmium. All levels were well below those that are acutely toxic. Results showed that fed-fish did not change weight while all starved fish lost weight, at a higher rate for exposed fish than for control fish. Size of the fish affected rates of uptake and loss of cadmium. These rates increased with temperature. Bio-concentration factors decreased with size of fish, increased with temperature up to about 16°C and decreased as the concentration of cadmium in water increased. Feeding appears to increase the rate of intake of cadmium intake from the water. The data indicate that metabolic rate governed rates of uptake and loss to an appreciable extent.

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  1. Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Natural Environment Research Council, Monks Wood Experimental Station, PE17 2LS, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, Great Britain

    Peter E. T. Douben

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Douben, P.E.T. Uptake and elimination of waterborne cadmium by the fishNoemacheilus barbatulus L. (stone loach). Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 18, 576–586 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055025

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055025

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