Acephate in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri): Acute toxicity, uptake, elimination

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Abstract
The 96 h LC50 of acephate, a water-soluble organophosphorus insecticide, averaged 2740 ppm for rainbow trout. Such low acute toxicity was apparently unique among commercial insecticides. Uptake of acephate by trout from water was rapid and reached equilibrium concentrations (4-6% of ambient concentrations) in 5-8 days. Methamidophos, a metabolite of acephate, formed rapidly, reaching .apprx. 25% of the acephate concentrations in the fish. Elimination of 50% acephate and methamidophos from rainbow trout required 1.73-2.43 days. Acephate or methamidophos were not bioconcentrated in the trout (mean BCF [bioconcentration factor] = 0.0533). Predictions of bioconcentration of acephate, based on its water solubility, its octanol/water partition coefficient or based on relationships developed in other studies, did not, as a rule, agree with experimental results.