Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Embryopathic Effects Of Waterborne And Sediment-Accumulated Cadmium, Mercury And Zinc On Reproduction And Survival Of Fish And Amphibian Populations In Kentucky, Wesley J. Birge, Jeffrey A. Black, Albert G. Westerman, Paul C. Francis, Jarvis E. Hudson

KWRRI Research Reports

Fish and amphibian egg cultures were used to determine the embryopathic effects of cadmium, mercury, and zinc released from natural and metal-enriched sediments, and to develop egg culture bioassay procedures suitable for monitoring bottom sediments for hazardous contaminants. Eggs of the narrow-mouthed toad (Gastrophryne carolinensis), goldfish (Carassius auratus), and rainbow trout (Salmo gairdnei) were cultured in contaminant-free water added to natural and metal-enriched sediments. Exposure was initiated after fertilization (toad, goldfish) or at 10 days prehatching (trout) and maintained continuously through 4-10 days posthatching. Sediments were enriched with 0.1-100 ppm cadmium and mercury and …

Sensitivity Of Vertebrate Embryos To Heavy Metals As A Criterion Of Water Quality: Phase Iii: Use Of Fish And Amphibian Eggs As Bioindicator Organisms For Evaluating Water Quality, Wesley J. Birge, Albert G. Westerman, Jeffrey A. Black

KWRRI Research Reports

Fish and amphibian eggs, embryos and early posthatched (larval) stages were evaluated as bioindicator organisms with which to monitor the quality of natural water resources. Eggs of 9 species were cultured in water collected from each of 11 Inner Bluegrass rivers and streams. The latter were chosen to represent water sources varying in quality from extremely poor to good. Selection was based on the sources and magnitude of pollution, and the diversity and density of piscine populations. Cultures were maintained in vitro, using 12-hour changes of water.

Averaging data for all 9 animal species, egg hatchability (embryonic survival) ranged …

Sensitivity Of Vertebrate Embryos To Heavy Metals As A Criterion Of Water Quality, Phase Ii: Bioassay Procedures Using Developmental Stages As Test Organisms, Wesley J. Birge, Albert G. Westerman, Jeffrey A. Black, Oliver W. Roberts

KWRRI Research Reports

Chick, amphibian, and fish embryos were evaluated as bioassay and bioindicator organisms. Test procedures were developed by which embryonic stages may be used 1) in bioassay systems to evaluate the toxicity of particular metallic or metal-containing trace contaminants, and 20 as bioindicators to monitor the quality of natural water resources.

A bioassay technique was devised in which metallic toxicants were administered to chick embryos by "needle tract" injection into the yolk sac. This provided more uniform distribution of test metals throughout the yolk mass than can be obtained by conventional yolk sac injection methods, and gave more sensitivity and uniformity …

Sensitivity Of Vertebrate Embryos To Heavy Metals As A Criterion Of Water Quality, Phase I, Wesley J. Birge, John J. Just, Albert G. Westerman, A. Duane Rose

KWRRI Research Reports

Avian, amphibian and fish embryos were given continuous treatment with inorganic mercury, methyl mercury, cadmium and lead, to determine the sensitivity of embryogenesis to metallic poisoning. All metals produced substantial degrees of lethality and/or gross anatomical anomalies at 10 ppb or less. Treatment with inorganic mercury at 10 ppb produced 100% kill of frog embryos. Chick and rainbow trout embryos suffered 10-20% lethality when exposed to 1 ppb of either inorganic or methyl mercury. Lead and cadmium at 1 ppb produced 24-32% lethality in chick embryos. No significant differences were observed in the embryopathic effects of inorganic or methyl mercury. …