The effect of water hardness on the toxicity of uranium to a tropical freshwater alga (Chlorella sp.)
Charles, A.L.; Markich, S.J.; Stauber, J.L.; De Filippis, L.F. (2002). The effect of water hardness on the toxicity of uranium to a tropical freshwater alga (Chlorella sp.). Aquat. Toxicol. 60(1-2): 61-73. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0166-445X(01)00260-0
In: Aquatic Toxicology. Elsevier Science: Tokyo; New York; London; Amsterdam. ISSN 0166-445X; e-ISSN 1879-1514, meer
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Algae
Chemical elements > Metals > Rare earths > Actinides > Uranium
Chemical speciation
Papua New Guinea
Properties > Biological properties > Toxicity
Properties > Water properties > Physical properties > Water hardness
Water > Fresh water
Chlorella M.Beijerinck, 1890 [WoRMS]
Papua New Guinea [Marine Regions]
Zoet water |
| Auteurs | | Top |
- Charles, A.L.
- Markich, S.J.
- Stauber, J.L.
- De Filippis, L.F.
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| Abstract |
Uranium (U) derived from mining activities is of potential ecotoxicological concern to freshwater biota in tropical northern Australia. Few data are available on the effects of water hardness (Ca and/or Mg), which is elevated in U mine wastewaters, on the toxicity and bioavailability of U to freshwater biota, particularly algae. This study determined the effect of water hardness (8, 40, 100 and 400 mg CaCO3 l-1, added as calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) sulphate) on the toxicity (72 h growth rate inhibition) of U to the unicellular green alga, Chlorella sp., in synthetic freshwater, at constant pH (7.0) and alkalinity (8 mg CaCO3 l-1), similar in chemical composition to sandy coastal streams in tropical northern Australia. A 50-fold increase in water hardness resulted in a 5-fold decrease (P less or equal to 0.05) in the toxicity of U to Chlorella sp. (i.e. the 72 h EC50 increased from 56 to 270 µg U l-1). Possible explanation for the ameliorative effect of water hardness includes: (i) competition between U and Ca and/or Mg for binding sites on the cell surface; and (ii) a change in U speciation, and hence, bioavailability. Results showed that extracellular (cell-surface) and intracellular U concentrations significantly (P<0.05) decreased (2-5-fold) as water hardness increased from 8 to 400 mg CaCO3 l-1. Calculation of U speciation using the geochemical model HARPHRQ showed that there were no significant (P>0.05) differences in the predicted speciation (% distribution) of U amongst the four water hardness levels. The reduction in U toxicity with increasing water hardness was most likely due to competition between U and Ca and/or Mg for binding sites on the algal cell surface. The minimum detectable effect concentrations of U were approximately 3 and 24 times higher (at 8 and 400 mg CaCO3 l-1 hardness, respectively) than the national interim U guideline value (0.5 µg l-1) for protecting aquatic ecosystems. Overall, the results reinforce the need for a more flexible U guideline based on a hardness-dependent algorithm, which may allow environmental managers to relax the national guideline for U on a site-specific basis. |
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