Hardness corrections for copper are inappropriate for protecting sensitive freshwater biota

Toxicity testing using a freshwater alga ( Chlorella sp.), a bacterium ( Erwinnia sp.) and a cladoceran ( Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia) exposed to copper in synthetic and natural freshwaters of varying hardness (44–375 mg CaCO 3/l), with constant alkalinity, pH and dissolved organic carbon concentration,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemosphere (Oxford) 2005-06, Vol.60 (1), p.1-8
Main Authors: Markich, S.J., Batley, G.E., Stauber, J.L., Rogers, N.J., Apte, S.C., Hyne, R.V., Bowles, K.C., Wilde, K.L., Creighton, N.M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Animals, Newborn
Applied ecology
Bacteria
Biological and medical sciences
Biological Assay
Calcium - analysis
Carbon - analysis
Ceriodaphnia
Chemical Phenomena
Chemistry, Physical
Chlorella
Chlorella - growth & development
Cladocera
Cladocera - growth & development
Copper
Copper - chemistry
Copper - toxicity
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Erwinia - growth & development
Fresh Water - chemistry
Fresh Water - microbiology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects
Hardness
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Magnesium - analysis
Thermodynamics
Toxicity
Water flea
Water Supply - analysis
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Summary:Toxicity testing using a freshwater alga ( Chlorella sp.), a bacterium ( Erwinnia sp.) and a cladoceran ( Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia) exposed to copper in synthetic and natural freshwaters of varying hardness (44–375 mg CaCO 3/l), with constant alkalinity, pH and dissolved organic carbon concentration, demonstrated negligible hardness effects in the pH range 6.1–7.8. Therefore, the use of a generic hardness-correction algorithm, developed as part of national water quality guidelines for protecting freshwater biota, is not recommended for assessing the toxicity of copper to these, and other, sensitive freshwater species. Use of the algorithm for these sensitive species will be underprotective because the calculated concentrations of copper in water that cause a toxic effect will be higher.
ISSN:0045-6535
1879-1298
DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2004.12.005