Effects of lead-contaminated sediment on Rana sphenocephala tadpoles
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
6578_Sparling.pdf
By: D. W. Sparling, S.K. Krest, and M. Ortiz-Santaliestra
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Abstract
We exposed larval southern leopard frogs (Rana sphenocephala) to lead-contaminated sediments to determine the lethal and sublethal effects of this metal. Tadpoles were laboratory-raised from early free-swimming stage through metamorphosis at lead concentrations of 45, 75, 180, 540, 2360, 3940, 5520, and 7580 mg/kg dry weight in sediment. Corresponding pore water lead concentrations were 123, 227, 589, 1833, 8121, 13,579, 19,038, and 24,427 ug/L. Tadpoles exposed to lead concentrations in sediment of 3940 mg/kg or higher died within 2 to 5 days of exposure. At lower concentrations, mortality through metamorphosis ranged from 3.5% at 45 mg/kg lead to 37% at 2360 mg/kg lead in sediment. The LC50 value for lead in sediment was 3728 mg/kg (95% CI=1315 to 72,847 mg/kg), which corresponded to 12,539 ug/L lead in pore water (95% CI= 4000 to 35,200 ug/L). Early growth and development were depressed at 2,360 mg/kg lead in sediment (8100 ug/L in pore water) but differences were not evident by the time of metamorphosis. The most obvious effect of lead was its pronounced influence on skeletal development. Whereas tadpoles at 45 mg/kg lead in sediment did not display permanent abnormalities, skeletal malformations increased in frequency and severity at all higher lead concentrations. By 2360 mg/kg, 100% of surviving metamorphs displayed severe spinal problems, reduced femur and humerus lengths, deformed digits, and other bone malformations. Lead concentrations in tissues correlated positively with sediment and pore water concentrations.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Effects of lead-contaminated sediment on Rana sphenocephala tadpoles |
| Series title | Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 2006 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 458-466 |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology |
| First page | 458 |
| Last page | 466 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |