Acute toxicity of industrial and municipal effluents in the state of Maryland, USA: results from one year of toxicity testing

• Published in: Hydrobiologia 1989-01, Vol.188-189 (1), p.641-648
• Main Authors: FISHER, D. J, HERSH, C. M, PAULSON, R. L, BURTON, D. T, HALL, L. W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Fresh water environment; Freshwater; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
• ISSN: 0018-8158; 1573-5117
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00027832

The first year of the effluent biomonitoring programme using acute 48 h static renewal toxicity test procedures devised for the State of Maryland by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratories Aquatic Ecology Section in July 1986, involved the assessment of 91 major industrial and municipal dischargers. The acute bioassay procedures were developed for testing freshwater fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) and daphnids (Daphnia magna and Ceriodaphnia sp.) and estuarine sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) and mysid shrimp (Mysidopsis bahia). Each effluent was tested with an invertebrate and a fish species and each test consisted of one control treatment and 5 effluent dilutions of 100, 56, 32, 18 and 10 per cent. The toxicity data are presented as 48 h EC50 values expressed as percentage effluent. The frequency of toxicity was 36 and 14 per cent for industrial and municipal dischargers, respectively. Acute cadmium chloride reference toxicity test results are presented as 48 h LC50 values based on measured cadmium concentration. The use of these data for regulating toxic discharges by the State of Maryland's Department of the Environment is discussed. The importance of the implementation of a biomonitoring programme with established, straightforward methods which were easily understood by both regulators and permit holders is demonstrated.