| Summary: | In this study glochidia as most sensitive life-stage of bivalves were used to evaluate
the toxicity of copper, zinc and lead. Sensitivity of three species, Anodonta
anatina, Pseudanodonta complanata and Unio
tumiduswere compared to copper and zinc, based on 24
and 48 h LC50s. The copper 24 h LC50 showed the lowest value (26.8
μg·L-1) for Unio
tumidus glochidia. After 48 h exposure, close
LC50 values, 18.9 and 19.0 μg·L-1, were recorded
for A. anatina and U. tumidus glochidia,
respectively. U. tumidus glochidia exhibited the highest
sensitivity to zinc (48 h LC50 = 134.2 μg·L-1)
followed by P. complanata (48 h LC50 = 201.6
μg·L-1) and A. anatina (48 h
LC50 = 233.5 μg·L-1). Toxicity of lead to
P. complanata glochidia was estimated, 24 and 48 h LC50s of
lead to 374.6 and 260.8 μg·L-1, respectively. No observed
effect concentrations (NOECs) for the tested metals exhibited species differences. All
NOECs exceeded environmental quality standards (EQS), therefore these species are at risk
only in such European freshwaters which have extreme concentration of these metals.
Synergistic effect was reported for the combinations of Cu + Zn and Cu + Pb, additive
effect was reported for Zn + Pb.
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