Gary J. Atchison

Sublethal effects of heavy metal contaminated sediment on midge larvae (Chironomus tentans)

Chironomid larvae were maintained for 17 days in sediments with various heavy metal levels. The control sediment had levels of 0.6 ppm cadmium, 17 ppm chromium and 77 ppm zinc. The most contaminated sediment had levels of 1030 ppm cadmium, 1640 ppm chromium, and 17300 ppm zinc.The mean length and weight of the larvae from the control sediment were 1.83 cm and 2.86 mg. The mean length and weight of larvae from the most contaminated sediment were 0.82 cm and 0.20 mg. A linear relationship was found for the square root of length versus metal levels in the sediment.

Avoidance response of Midge Larvae (Chironomus Tentans) to sediments containing heavy metals

Avoidance reactions of chironomid larvae to contaminated sediment taken from a heavy metal impacted lake were studied. Heavy metal levels in the test sediment ranged from background of 0.6 parts per million (ppm) cadmium, 77 ppm zinc and 17 ppm chromium to a maximum of 1,029 ppm cadmium, 17,262 ppm zinc and 2,106 ppm chromium. A linear relationship was established between cadmium and zinc levels in the sediment and avoidance by chironomids.An approximate threshold avoidance of metals in the sediment was determined to be between 213–422 ppm cadmium, 4385–8330 ppm zinc and 799–1513 ppm chromium.

Evidence of resistance to metals in larvae of the midge Chironomus tentans in a metal contaminated lake.

Currently the existence of toxicant resistant strains of aquatic invertebrates is of interesto Recently BRYAN (1974) noted tolerance of copper and zinc but not cadmium or lead in the polychaete Nereis diversicolor taken from polluted Engllsh estuaries. LUOMA (1977) has suggested that resistance testing may be used to indicate which contaminants are of primary concern in aquatic systems. In the current study, chlronomid larvae (Chironomus tentans) were collected from two areas, one contaminated by heavy metals and one uncontaminated, of Palestine Lake, Indiana, and subjected to a series of laboratory tests to determine if metal resistant strains have developed within the lake.

Effects of trace metals on growth of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) as measured by RNA-DNA ratios

SynopsisRelationships between sublethal concentrations of cadmium and zinc in natural water and metal uptake by and growth of fish were investigated. RNA-DNA ratios and weight gain were used to assess seasonal growth differences between yellow perch populations from contaminated and control sites. Whole-body concentrations of cadmium and zinc in young-of-the-year perch (Perca flavescens) were significantly different between sites. Measurable growth differences did occur and were significantly correlated with cadmium levels. Growth differences that were prominent during mid-summer were reduced by late summer. RNA-DNA ratios were sensitive indicators of fish growth.

Trace Metal Contamination of Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) from Two Indiana Lakes

Abstract Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) from two industrially contaminated Indiana lakes were analyzed for cadmium, zinc, and lead content. Bluegill collected from several uncontaminated sites were used to establish background metal concentrations. The highest mean concentrations of Cd and Zn were found in Palestine Lake bluegill (3.4 μg Cd/g and 220 μg Zn/g) and the highest mean concentration of Pb was found in Little Center lake bluegill (6.1 μg Pb/g). These mean concentrations were significantly higher than background.

The use of the three-ridge clam (Amblema perplicata) to monitor trace metal contamination

The three-ridge clamAmblema perplicata was used to monitor two streams for the presence of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) derived from an industrial source. Clams were collected from a relatively uncontaminated area in one river and transported to four study sites in the two contaminated streams. The clams were placed into polyethylene cages and left in these streams for one week. Control clams were treated in a similar manner and left in the uncontaminated river.The highest mean concentration of Zn (956 µg/g dry wt) was found in the gill tissue of clams from the most contaminated site. The highest mean Cd concentration (18.6 µg/ g dry wt) was found in digestive glands of clams, also from the most contaminated site. Mean concentrations at contaminated sites were significantly higher than background and control levels; the findings suggest that these particular organs of clams may be useful in monitoring levels of Zn and Cd in other freshwater systems.

The impact of an industrially contaminated lake on heavy metal levels in its effluent stream

Levels of cadmium and zinc in various components of Williamson Ditch (an industrially contaminated stream flowing into Palestine Lake), Trimble Creek (a stream draining Palestine Lake) and the Tippecance River (a river receiving Trimble Creek) were determined. Water, sediment, plant, fish and clam samples were analyzed for cadmium and zinc content by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Unweighted mean metal concentrations in Trimble Creek were the following: water, 51 µg Zn/1 and 4.2 µg Cd/1; sediment, 592 µg Zn/g and 48.8,µg Cd/g; plants, 375 µm Zn/g and 7.91 µg Cd/g; fish, 145 µg Zn/g and 6.02 µg Cd/g. These concentrations were generally lower than those found in Williamson Ditch and higher than those found in the Tippecanoe River or background levels previously reported for other aquatic ecosystems.

Time dependent cadmium uptake by fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) during field and laboratory exposure

Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) exposed to 2.5 ppb cadmium in an industrially contaminated lake accumulated whole body burdens of 3.19 ppm Cd in 12 hours, while minnows exposed to 48 ppb Cd in a continuous flow laboratory system did not reach comparable levels until the eighth day of exposure. Significant whole body accumulation of Cd (approximately 9 ppm) peaked within 17–20 days of exposure in the laboratory.

The uptake of Manganese-54 by green algae (Protococcoidal chlorella), Daphnia magna, and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas)

Concentration factors (CF) of 54Mn for three aquatic species: green algae (Protococcoidal chlorella), Daphnia magna, and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were determined following direct exposure to the isotope in solution. The maximum accumulation (CF = 911) in P. chlorella was reached at 48 hours of exposure; the maximum uptake (CF = 65) in Daphnia was reached at 8 hours of exposure; and the maximum accumulation (CF = 22.6) in fathead minnows was at 128 hours of exposure. The data indicate that 54Mn accumulation decreases with ascent up a theoretical aquatic food chain when water is the only source of contamination.

Cadmium and zinc in muscle of bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from an industrially contaminated lake

Abstract Cadmium and zinc analyses of 44 largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and 29 bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) indicate that fish in an ecosystem heavily contaminated by trace metals accumulate significantly more metal in edible muscle tissue than do fish in an uncontaminated ecosystem. Concentrations detected ranged from 0·010 to 1·308 ppm Cd and 18·2 to 158·2 ppm Zn (dry weight). Bluegill contained significantly greater concentrations of Cd and Zn than did bass and small bass contained significantly more Cd than did large bass. Human consumption of these fish is probably not a health hazard unless such fish constitute a major portion of the diet.