Ning Wang
David Alvarez
Edward J. Hammer
Candice R. Bauer
Chris D. Ivey
2018
<p><span>Limited studies indicate that mussels are generally insensitive to organic chemicals; however, these studies were conducted in acute or short-term exposures, and little is known about the chronic sensitivity of mussels to organic chemicals. We evaluated the chronic (28 days) toxicity of 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) to two commonly tested species of mussels: fatmucket (</span><i class="EmphasisTypeItalic ">Lampsilis siliquoidea</i><span>) and rainbow mussel (Villosa iris). By the end of the 28 days chronic exposures, mean survival was ≥93% in all treatments, but the mean dry weight and biomass of mussels at the highest exposure concentrations were significantly reduced relative to the control. The 20% effect concentrations were similar between the two species. When compared to all other tested species, fatmucket and rainbow mussels are among the top four most sensitive species to 4-NP. However, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency chronic water quality criterion of 6.6 μg 4-NP/L should protect the two mussel species.</span></p>
application/pdf
10.1007/s00128-018-2422-5
en
Springer
Chronic toxicity of 4-nonylphenol to two unionid mussels in water-only exposures
article