Environmental consequences of the inhibition in the hatching of pupae ofAedes aegyptiby mercury, zinc and chromium — the abnormal toxicity of zinc

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Abstract
In continuation of our studies on the toxicity of heavy metals1–3 we report the impact of mercury (II), zinc (II) and chromium (VI) on hatching of the pupae of mosquito Aedes aegypti. The studies were carried out in terms of abnormal responses in swimming and flying, incompleteness of the metamorphosis and mortality — all with respect to controls. The toxicity trend with respect to the mortality of pupae in partially or completely hatched conditions, as also with respect to reduction in the number of pupae reaching the mosquito stage was Hg > Zn = Cr. A comparison of lethal doze values of the metals obtained through present experiments with the levels allowable in irrigation waters, as per regulatory agencies based in U.S.A.,4 Canada5 and India,6 indicate that the permissible levels of zinc and chromium are higher by several orders of magnitude than the lowest lethal concentrations for pupae of A. aegypti. The studies thus point to a need for the revision of the existing standards.

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