Effects of Various Metals on Survival, Growth, Reproduction, and Metabolism of Daphnia magna

Abstract

The toxicities of various metals to Daphnia magna were evaluated on the basis of a 48-hr 50% lethal concentration (LC50) a 3-week LC50, and a 16% decrease in the number of young born (reproductive impairment). The 3-week 16% reproductive impairment concentrations (in micrograms per liter) for the metal ions tested were: Na(I), 680,000; Ca(II), 116,000; Mg(II), 82,000; K(I), 53,000; Sr(II), 42,000; Ba(II), 5800; Fe(III), 4380; Mn(II), 4100; As(V), 520; Sn(II), 350; Cr(III), 330; Al(III), 320; Zn(II), 70; Au(III), 60; Ni(II), 30; Pb(II), 30; Cu(II), 22; Pt(IV), 14; Co(II), 10; Hg(II), 3.4; and Cd(II), 0.17. At metal concentrations permitting survival but impairing reproduction, daphnids weighed less than control animals. Amounts of total protein and glutamic oxalacetic transaminase activity varied with the different metals. The negative logarithm of the solubility product constant (pKsp) of the metal sulfides, electronegativity, and the logarithm of the equilibrium constant (log Keg) of the metal–ATP complex were positively correlated with toxicity to D. magna. Other physicochemical properties were considered, but no additional correlations were found.