The Bioavailability and Toxicity of Aluminum in Aquatic Environments

In this article we review the biological effects of Al, primarily with respect to the chemical factors controlling Al bioavailability and toxicity, and how its biological effects are best predicted. Our intent is not to duplicate recent reviews on Al chemistry or toxicity, but rather to update the l...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Critical reviews in environmental science and technology 1999-01, Vol.29 (4), p.315-450
Main Authors: Gensemer, Robert W., Playle, Richard C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
aluminum
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Applied sciences
bioavailability
Biological and medical sciences
Carbon
Chemical analysis
Continental surface waters
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Environmental impact
Exact sciences and technology
Fresh water environment
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Marine biology
Metals
Natural water pollution
Phosphorus
Pollution
review
Silicon
speciation
Surface waters
Toxicity
Water treatment and pollution
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Summary:In this article we review the biological effects of Al, primarily with respect to the chemical factors controlling Al bioavailability and toxicity, and how its biological effects are best predicted. Our intent is not to duplicate recent reviews on Al chemistry or toxicity, but rather to update the literature since these reviews were published, and to focus on Al speciation and other external chemical influences on Al bioavailability to freshwater biota. Briefly, we first review Al chemistry, with a specific focus on understanding, as well as measuring, Al chemical species of importance to aquatic biota. Next we more comprehensively review Al toxicity and bioavailability to freshwater algae, with a thorough analysis of the relationships between speciation and toxicity, the role of important chemical complexing agents such as P, Si, and organic carbon, as well as the potential for Al to impact algal community structure. A third section reviews the more sparse literature on aquatic higher plants; the fourth section reviews a somewhat more abundant literature of Al toxicity to freshwater invertebrates. We close with an updated review of Al toxicity to fish, again with a focus on mechanisms of toxicity, and the role of Al speciation in controlling bioavailability.
ISSN:1064-3389
1547-6537
DOI:10.1080/10643389991259245