Tests of rhodamine WT dye for toxicity to oysters and fish

Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey
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Abstract

Because of the toxicity to oyster larvae and eggs of rhodamine B dye in concentrations greater than 1 mg/l in earlier tests, there was a concern that rhodamine WT, a similar tracer dye, would have a detrimental effect on marine life being developed under the aquaculture program of the Lummi Indian Tribe near Bellingham, Wash. Tests showed that 48-hour exposures at 24° C of 11,000 oyster eggs per liter and 6,000 12-day-old larvae per liter, in sea water with concentrations of rhodamine WT ranging from 1 μg/l to 10 mg/l, resulted in development of the eggs to normal straight-hinge larvae and no abnormalities in the larvae development. Tests made on the smolt of both silver salmon and Donaldson trout, with the fish held for 17.5 hours in a tankfull of sea water with a dye concentration of 10 mg/l at 22°C showed no mortalities or respiratory problems. With the concentration increased to 375 mg/l, and the time extended an additional 3.2 hours, still no mortalities or abnormalities were noted. The fish remained healthy in dye-free water when last checked a month after the test.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Tests of rhodamine WT dye for toxicity to oysters and fish
Series title Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey
Volume 1
Issue 4
Year Published 1973
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Description 1 p.
First page 499
Last page 499
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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