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ACUTE AND CHRONIC TOXICITY OF AMMONIA TO MARINE FISH AND A MYSID
Citation:
Miller, D., S. Poucher, J.A. Cardin, AND D. Hansen. ACUTE AND CHRONIC TOXICITY OF AMMONIA TO MARINE FISH AND A MYSID. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-90/011 (NTIS PB90217662).
Description:
The acute toxicity (96-hr LC50 of un-ionized ammonia to mysids (Mysidopsis bahia) and larval inland silversides (menidia beryllina) was influenced by pH and salinity in a species specific manner. ith mysids, NH3 was most toxic at pH 7.0 and less toxic pH 8.0 and 9.0. n contrast, NH3 toxicity to inland silversides was greatest at pH 7.0 and 0\9.0 and lowest at pH 8.0. rop in salinity from 31 g/kg to 11 g/kg uniformly increased toxicity to mysids over this pH range. n contrast, in silversides at 11 g/kg, NH3 toxicity was less at pH 7.0, greater at pH 8, and slightly less at pH 9, relative to the toxicity at 31 g/kg. emperature had no significant effect on the acute toxicity of un-ionized ammonia with acclimated mysids tested at 18, 25 and 32.5 degrees C, but did have a small effect with acclimated larval sheepshead minnows (Cyprinodon variegatus) tested at 13, 25 and 32.5 degrees C. he chronic toxicity value (the geometric mean of the highest no-effect concentration and lowest effect concentration) at pH 8.0, 25 degrees C and 31 g/kg salinity is 0.061 mg NH3/L for inland silversides and 0.232 mg NH3/L for mysids; the acute chronic ratio is 21.3 and 7.2, respectively.