title: Sub-Lethal Effects of Copper on Salmonids: An Avoidance Evaluation Using a Direct Test Method.
abstract: Avoidance of copper (Cu) by rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was evaluated using a Y-maze exposure system, with data collected over a 1-h exposure period using a digital camcorder. In exposures to five measured concentrations of dissolved copper (<0.3, 1.2, 9.8, 48.3, and 98.6 µg Cu/L), plus control, significant avoidance behavior (p < 0.05) relative to the control was observed at ≥9.8 µg Cu/L, but not at 1.2 µg Cu/L. The chronic value (i.e., geometric mean of these concentrations) was 3.43 µg Cu/L. Estimates of EC50 values for avoidance of Cu ranged from 4.81 to 9.15 µg Cu/L over four 15-min time intervals of exposure to the metal. Based on water quality characterization of the control/diluent water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) water hardness- and biotic ligand model (BLM)-based chronic criteria for dissolved Cu were 8.03 and 2.26 µg Cu/L, respectively. This study suggested that enforcement of the BLM-based criterion would provide a higher level of protection of trout for this sensitive response than the hardness-based criterion.
authors.affiliation: International Zinc Association, Durham, NC, 27713, USA.
authors.forename: Eric L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Van Genderen
authors.affiliation: Integral Consulting Inc., Portland, OR, 97204, USA.
authors.forename: Diana L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Dishman
authors.affiliation: Chevron Energy Technology Company, Houston, TX, 77002, USA.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ray Arnold
authors.affiliation: Gorsuch Environmental Management Services, Inc., Webster, NY, 14580, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Gorsuch
authors.affiliation: Environmental Research and Information Analysts, LLC, Dubuque, IA, 52001, USA. dcall@enviro-analysts.com.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Call
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D017686:Oncorhynchus mykiss / Q000502:physiology*; D014867:Water; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014867:Water; D003300:Copper
keywords: Avoidance behavior; Copper; Oncorhynchus mykiss; Water quality criteria