The effect of aqueous aluminium on mortality and respiration of the isopoda Asellus aquaticus
Abstract
The present study investigates the effect of aqueous aluminium (Al) and acidic water on mortality and respiration in the isopoda Asellus aquaticus. I conducted one mortality experiment lasting 22 days exposing A. aquaticus to an acidic Al-rich medium (pH 5.8), an acidic Al-poor medium (pH 5.8) and untreated natural water (control) (pH 7.0). Followed by three respirometry experiments exposing A. aquaticus to an acidic Al-rich medium, an acidic Al-poor and untreated natural water each for five days and then transferring the animals into closed-respirometry chambers for 48 hours. In the mortality experiment A. aquaticus was more sensitive to the acidic Al-rich medium than the acidic Al-poor- and the control media. In the respirometry experiment Al-exposed A. aquaticus displayed a lower normoxic O2 consumption than in the acidic Al-poor- and control media. Similarly, the critical O2 tension was lower in Al-exposed A. aquaticus than acidic Al-poor- and control media. The critical O2 tension was inconsistent with the mortality A. aquaticus experienced in the mortality experiment. I draw the conclusion that A. aquaticus is more sensitive to aqueous aluminium than to an acidic Al poor medium.