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ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION AND ARSENIC INTERACTIONS: EFFECTS ON CLADOCERANS
Citation:
Hansen, L J., A. Whitehead, AND S. L. Anderson. ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION AND ARSENIC INTERACTIONS: EFFECTS ON CLADOCERANS. Presented at 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Photobiology, Washington, DC, July 10-15, 1999.
Description:
The effects of arsenic and ultraviolet radiation (UV) on cladocerans have been examined separately, however the interaction of these two stresses has not been explored. Potential synergism between these two stresses is possible as arsenic is known to inhibit repair of UV induced DNA lesions in a variety of cell systems. Because of these hypothesized genetic effects there is interest in the potential for heritability of adverse effects or for adaptation to these combined stresses. To address these questions we examined the combined effects of elevated arsenic and ambient ultraviolet radiation on Ceriodaphnia dubia. Exposures were conducted in a solar simulator at multiple UV and arsenic doses over the course of three generations. Endpoints examined included brood size, time to reproduction and survival. Arsenic exposure elicited significant dose dependent responses for all endpoints. However significant arsenic and UV interactions were only observed for survival. For example, following exposure to 1.25 mg/L arsenic 80% mortality was observed in the combination arsenic/UV exposure, whereas arsenic (1.25 mg/L) alone elicited only 10% mortality. We conclude that arsenic and UV interactions are observable and these could have a significant impact on evaluation of arsenic effects in the aquatic environment.