Cadmium and Zinc Toxicity to flagfish, Jordanella floridae

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Abstract
Cadmium and zinc toxicity to the flagfish (Jordanella floridae) was determined on the basis of 96-h median lethal concentrations (LC50) and significant decreases (P = 0.05) in survival, growth, and reproduction over the complete life cycle of the fish. The 96-h LC50 values for cadmium and zinc to juvenile flagfish were 2500 and 1500 μg/liter, respectively. In chronic tests, reproduction was the most sensitive indicator of cadmium toxicity and was inhibited at 8.1 μg/liter. Tissue-concentration analysis showed that fish exposed to concentrations of 1.7 μg/liter and above accumulated significantly greater amounts of cadmium than those in the controls. In zinc tests, survival of larvae (not exposed as embryos) and growth of females were the most sensitive measure of zinc toxicity and were reduced at respective concentrations of 85 and 51 μg/liter. Significant uptake of zinc occurred in fish exposed to concentrations of 47 μg/liter and above. The lowest cadmium and zinc concentrations causing adverse effects to the flagfish were similar to those affecting other fish species. Application factors for both metals were similar to those reported for cadmium exposed bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus) and zinc exposed fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) in hard water.