Toxicity of uranium toDaphnia magna

✍ Scribed by T. M. Poston; R. W. Hanf; M. A. Simmons

• Publisher: Springer Netherlands
• Year: 1984
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 558 KB
• Volume: 22
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0049-6979
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00159350

✦ Synopsis

The toxicity of U to Daphnia magna was determined in acute and chronic tests. The 48-hr LCso of U (VI) in Columbia River water was 6 mg L -~. Acute toxicity diminished by a factor of 7.5 as mean water hardness and alkalinity values increased from 70 mg L -~ and 57 mg L l to 195 mg L -~ and 130 mg L ~, respectively. This effect was most likely the result of complexation of uranyl ion with carbonate ions. D. magna reproduction was suppressed in Columbia River water at U concentrations between 0.5 and 3.5 mg L ~. Potential hazards of U to aquatic life are discussed as they relate to mining practices.