Abstract
The acute toxicities of acidic and alkaline pH to nymphs of the stonefliesPteronarcys dorsata, P. proteus, andTallaperla maria were determined in 96-hr static bioassays. The acidic and alkaline 96-hr LC50 values were 2.8 to 3.3 and 12.1 to 10.3, respectively. Exposure to pH 3.0 for 72 hr or longer caused a significant loss of sodium from nymphs ofP. proteus. Morphological changes, including distension of cuticular disk and increased number of vesicles, were observed in gill tissue from nymphs ofP. dorsata exposed to pH 2.5 for 9 hr while minor changes were observed in nymphs exposed to pH 4.0 for 96 hr. Changes in gill tissue ultrastructure included an increase in number of vesicles and a decrease in number and size of mitochondria in nymphs exposed to alkaline pH of 11.75.
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Lechleitner, R.A., Cherry, D.S., Cairns, J. et al. Ionoregulatory and toxicological responses of stonefly nymphs (Plecoptera) to acidic and alkaline pH. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 14, 179–185 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055609
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055609