You are here:
TOXIC EFFECTS OF ZINC ON FATHEAD MINNOWS 'PIMEPHALES PROMELAS' IN SOFT WATER
Citation:
Benoit, D. AND G. Holcombe. TOXIC EFFECTS OF ZINC ON FATHEAD MINNOWS 'PIMEPHALES PROMELAS' IN SOFT WATER. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-78/106 (NTIS PB295382).
Description:
A fathead minnow life-cycle exposure to various zinc concentrations demonstrated that the most sensitive indicators of zinc toxicity were egg adhesiveness and fragility, which were significantly affected at 145 micrograms Zn per liter and above, but were not affected at 78 micrograms Zn per liter and below. These effects occurred shortly after the eggs were spawned (during water hardening) and therefore were not related to effects on the parental fish. Hatchability and survival of larvae were significantly reduced, and deformities at hatching were significantly increased at 295 micrograms Zn per liter and above. Acclimated and unacclimated groups of larvae exposed to identical zinc concentrations for 8 weeks after hatch showed only slight differences in sensitivity.