Effects of copper sulfate on Typha latifolia seed germination and early seedling growth in aqueous and sediment exposures

• Published in: Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology 2001-02, Vol.40 (2), p.192-197
• Main Authors: MULLER, S. L, HUGGETT, D. B, RODGERS, J. H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Aquatic environment; Aquatic plants; Biological and medical sciences; Copper; Copper sulfate; Copper Sulfate - pharmacology; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on plants and fungi; Freshwater; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Germination; Germination - drug effects; Phytotoxicity; Plant growth; Poaceae - drug effects; Poaceae - growth & development; Sediments; Seed germination; Seedlings; Seeds - drug effects; Seeds - growth & development; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil testing; Sulfates; Typha latifolia; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
• ISSN: 0090-4341; 1432-0703
• DOI: 10.1007/s002440010163

The vascular macrophyte Typha latifolia Linnaeus (common cattail) may be a sentinel for evaluating potential phytotoxicity to rooted aquatic macrophytes in aquatic systems. To further evaluate the potential utility of this species, T. latifolia seed germination, shoot growth, and root elongation were measured in 7-day aqueous exposures using mean measured aqueous copper concentrations of 10.0, 23, 41, 62, 174, and 402 microg Cu/L, which were > or = 62% of nominal concentrations. Seed germination and seedling shoot growth were not significantly affected by any of these copper concentrations as compared to controls. Mean measured no-observed-effect-concentration (NOEC) and lowest-observed-effect-concentration (LOEC) for root elongation were 18.6 microg Cu/L and 35.0 microg Cu/L, respectively. Seven-day sediment tests were conducted by amending uncontaminated sediments with copper sulfate to mean measured concentrations of 7.9, 17.1, 21.0, 51.2, 89.5, and 173.5 mg Cu/kg, which were > or = 84% of nominal concentrations. Seed germination was not significantly different from controls. Mean measured NOEC and LOEC values for seedling shoot growth were 89.5 mg Cu/kg and 173.5 mg Cu/kg, respectively, and mean measured NOEC and LOEC values for root growth were 14.0 mg Cu/kg and 19.7 mg Cu/kg, respectively. These results demonstrate that T. latifolia early seedling growth can be utilized for assessing aqueous and sediment toxicity of copper.