Determination of acute toxicity of ammonium in juvenile Patagonian blenny (Eleginops maclovinus)

Determinação da toxicidade aguda do amônio em Babosas-da-Patagônia (Eleginops maclovinus) juvenis

Abstract

Deionized ammonium (NH₃) acute toxicity (LC_50-96h) in Patagonian blenny juveniles (Eleginops maclovinus) was assessed. Concentrations of deionized ammonium in salt water were prepared by using 24.09 ± 2.1 g ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl). Fish were exposed in triplicates to different ammonium concentrations: 0.05; 0.094; 0.175; 0.325 and 0.605 mg NH₃ L^-1. Additionally, a control group was included. Experimental fish were kept at a photoperiod of 16:8h. Average temperatures were 16.24 ± 1.40 °C. Oxygen concentration was 7.16 ± 0.40 mg L ^-1. Water pH was 7.89 ± 0.2. LC_{50-96 h}, was estimated by using Probit statistical method (95% intervals) using EPA software (1993). Juveniles of E. maclovinus showed a LC_50-96h of 0.413mg NH₃ L^-1 value, different from most marine species. This study presents the first record of ammonium toxicity in marine species of Chile.

Keywords:
acute toxicity; Eleginops maclovinus; LC_50-96h