Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Metal toxicity to embryos and larvae of eight species of freshwater fish—II: Copper

  • Published:
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Fish larvae and early juveniles of all species tested (brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, northern pike, white sucker, herring, and smallmouth bass) were more sensitive to copper than the embryos. Embryo survival was affected only at the higher concentrations tested, for all species except the rainbow trout. The concentrations of copper that caused significant effects on the larval standing crop were similar for all species (31.7–43.5 ug Cu/1) except the northern pike, which seemed to be considerably more resistant (104.1 μg Cu/1). Copper concentrations shown to have no significant effects on the early developmental stages of these species are considered close estimates of the copper concentrations that would have no measurable adverse effects during a complete life cycle toxicity test under similar test conditions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION, AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION, and WATER POLLUTION CONTROL FEDERATION: Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 11th ed. New York, N.Y. 1965. 626 p.

  • ARTHUR, J. W., and E. N. LEONARD: J. Fish. Res. Board Can.27, 1277 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • BENOIT, D. A.: Trans. Am. Fish Soc.104, 353 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  • EATON, J. G., J. M. McKIM, and G. W. HOLCOMBE: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. (In press) (1977).

  • GRANDE, M.: Third Int. Conf. Water Poll. Res. 1:97–111 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • HAZEL, G. R., and S. J. MEITH: Calif. Fish Game56, 121 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • HUGHES, J. S.: Proc. S.E. Assn. Game a Fish. Comm. 21:230–234 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • McKIM, J. M., J. W. ARTHUR, and T. W. THORSLUND: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.14, 1 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  • McKIM, J. M., and D. A. BENOIT: J. Fish. Res. Board Can.28, 655 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • McKIM, J. M., and D. A. BENOIT: J. Fish. Res. Board Can.31, 449 (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  • MOUNT, D. I.: Water Res.2, 215 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • MOUNT, D. I., and C. E. STEPHAN: J. Fish. Res. Board Can.26, 2449 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • O'REAR, C. W., JR.: Proc. 26th Ann. Conf. S.E. Assn. Game & Fish Comm. Oct. 22–25, 484 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • SPRAGUE, J. B.: Water Res.3, 793 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Research Laboratory-Duluth, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Boulevard, 55804, Duluth, Minn.

    J. M. McKim, J. G. Eaton & G. W. Holcombe

Authors
  1. J. M. McKim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. G. Eaton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. W. Holcombe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

McKim, J.M., Eaton, J.G. & Holcombe, G.W. Metal toxicity to embryos and larvae of eight species of freshwater fish—II: Copper. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 19, 608–616 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01685847

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01685847

Keywords

Search

Navigation