Measured Copper Toxicity to Cnesterodon decemmaculatus (Pisces: Poeciliidae) and Predicted by Biotic LigandModel in Pilcomayo RiverWater: A Step for a Cross-Fish-Species Extrapolation

MARÍA VICTORIA CASARES; LAURA I. DE CABO; RAFAEL S. SEOANE; OSCAR E. NATALE; CRISTIANWEIGANDT; ALICIA F. DE IORIO

Journal of Toxicology

Hindawi

Lugar: New York; Año: 2012 vol. 2012 p. 1 - 11

1687-8191

In order to determine copper toxicity (LC50) to a local species (Cnesterodon decemmaculatus) in the South American PilcomayoRiver water and evaluate a cross-fish-species extrapolation of Biotic LigandModel, a 96 h acute copper toxicity test was performed.The dissolved copper concentrations tested were 0.05, 0.19, 0.39, 0.61, 0.73, 1.01, and 1.42mg Cu L−1. The 96 h Cu LC50 calculatedwas 0.655 mg L−1 (0.823−0.488). 96-h Cu LC50 predicted by BLM for Pimephales promelas was 0.722 mg L−1. Analysis of the interseasonalvariation of the main water quality parameters indicates that a higher protective effect of calcium, magnesium, sodium,sulphate, and chloride is expected during the dry season. The very high load of total suspended solids in this river might be a keyfactor in determining copper distribution between solid and solution phases. A cross-fish-species extrapolation of copper BLM isvalid within the water quality parameters and experimental conditions of this toxicity test.