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Physiological and biochemical aspects of ozone toxicity to rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

January 1, 1979

An acute toxicity curve for dissolved ozone (O3) in soft water at 10 °C, using 10–13-cm rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) as the test species was calculated. The 96-h LC50 (95%, confidence interval) was 9.3 (8.1–10.6) μg/L. The lethal threshold level was about 8 μg/L mandating that a conservative margin of safety be used if ozone is employed as a fish disease control agent. Death apparently results from massive destruction of the gill lamellar epithelium together with a severe hydromineral imbalance. In partial chronic (3-mo) testing, 2 μg/L caused no significant biological damage while 5 μg/L caused some gill pathological changes and reduced feeding behavior. Accordingly, 2 μg/L is suggested as a provisional maximum safe exposure level, pending completion of life cycle studies. Thus, if ozone-treated water is discharged into the environment, dissolved O3 should be reduced to at least the 2 μg/L level to minimize adverse impacts on salmonids in receiving waters.

Publication Year 1979
Title Physiological and biochemical aspects of ozone toxicity to rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)
DOI 10.1139/f79-088
Authors Gary A. Wedemeyer, Nancy C. Nelson, William T. Yasutake
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
Index ID 70162276
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Western Fisheries Research Center