Sensitivity of Vertebrate Embryos to Heavy Metals as a Criterion of Water Quality. Phase III. Use of Fish and Amphibian Eggs and Embryos as Bioindicator Organisms for Evaluating Water Quality.

摘要

Fish and amphibial eggs,embryos and early posthatched (larva) stages were evaluated as bioindicator organisms for monitoring the quality of natural water resources. Eggs of nine species were cultured in water collected from each of 11Inner Bluegrass rivers and streams varying in quality from extremely poor to good. Cultures were maintained in vitro,using 12-hr changes of water. Averaging data for all nine animal species,egg hatchability (embryonic survival) ranged from 0% for the most contaminated water to 94% for uncontaminated water found to support a healthy aquatic biota. Eggs of the squirrel treefrog and gray treefrog were the most sensitive of five amphibian species tested,and of four fish species,rainbow trout eggs proved most susceptible to water contaminants. Selected water sources were analyzed for mercury and other trace metals. Appreciable levels of metallic contaminants were found in those water sources which produced high levels of egg mortality.