Comparing the effectiveness of chronic water column tests with the crustaceans Hyalella azteca (order: Amphipoda) and Ceriodaphnia dubia (order: Cladocera) in detecting toxicity of current‐use insecticides. (15th February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Deanovic, Linda A.; Markiewicz, Dan; Stillway, Marie; Fong, Stephanie; Werner, Inge
• Is Part Of: Environmental toxicology and chemistry. Volume 32:Number 3(2013:Mar.)
• Page Start: 707
• Page End: 712
• Publication Date: 2013-02-15
• Subjects: Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental chemistry -- Periodicals; 615.902
• DOI: 10.1002/etc.2111
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0730-7268

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Standard U.S. Environmental Protection Agency laboratory tests are used to monitor water column toxicity in U.S. surface waters. The water flea <italic>Ceriodaphnia dubia</italic> is among the most sensitive test species for detecting insecticide toxicity in freshwater environments.Its usefulness is limited, however, when water conductivity exceeds 2, 000 µS/cm (approximately 1 ppt salinity) and test effectiveness is insufficient. Water column toxicity tests using the euryhaline amphipod <italic>Hyalella azteca</italic> could complement <italic>C. dubia</italic> tests; however, standard chronic protocols do not exist. The present study compares the effectiveness of two water column toxicity tests in detecting the toxicity of two organophosphate (OP) and two pyrethroid insecticides: the short‐term chronic <italic>C. dubia</italic> test, which measures mortality and fecundity, and a 10‐d <italic>H. azteca</italic> test, which measures mortality and growth. Sensitivity was evaluated by comparing effect data, and end point variability was evaluated by comparing minimum significant differences. Tests were performed in synthetic water and filtered ambient water to quantify the influence of water matrix on effect concentrations. The <italic>H. azteca</italic> test detected pyrethroid toxicity far more effectively, while the <italic>C. dubia</italic> test was more sensitive to OPs. Among endpoints, <italic>H. azteca</italic> mortality was most robust. The results demonstrate that the <italic>H. azteca</italic> test is preferable when conductivity of water samples is 2, 000 to 10, 000 µS/cm or if contaminants of concern include pyrethroid insecticides. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:707–712. © 2012 SETAC</p> </abstract>