Reevaluating the free-ion activity model of trace metal toxicity toward higher plants: experimental evidence with copper and zinc.

Across a diverse spectrum of organisms, the absorption and toxicity of trace elements are usually correlated with the activity of the free metal ion, but reported exceptions to this generalization are increasing. For the first time, we tested the validity of the free-ion activity model (FIAM) in the case of terrestrial plants and organic acids that may be abundant in the soil solution and rhizosphere. Short-term (48-h) root elongation of wheat (Triticum aestitvum L.) in a simple medium (2 mM CaCl2, pH 6.0) was used to probe the toxicity of Cu and Zn in the presence of malonate, malate, and citrate. Precautions were taken to prevent biodegradation of the organic acids, and its absence was confirmed by ion chromatography. Copper speciation was verified using a Cu-selective ion electrode, and published stability constants were modified to improve agreement between measured and calculated Cu2+ activities. With additions of both malonate and malate, Cu toxicity was alleviated but not to the extent predicted by the FIAM; the Cu-ligand complexes seemingly contributed to the toxicity. No such departures were observed with citrate and Cu nor with any of the three ligands in combination with Zn. Thus, exceptions to the FIAM occur with higher plants as well as with aquatic biota but do not seem to occur in a predictable or systematic fashion with respect to metal or organic acid under investigation. Several possible explanations for the observed departures from the FIAM are discussed, including the possibility of accidental cotransport of metal and ligand into the cytoplasm.

Evaluation of acute bioassays for assessing toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated soils.

Proposed State of California regulations use fish toxicity information as one criterion in municipal or industrial waste hazard evaluation. Static 96-hr bioassays were performed using fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas), blacksmith (Chromis punctipinnis), and glass shrimp (Palaemonetes kadiakensis) exposed to soil experimentally contaminated with up to 500 ppm polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) capacitor fluid added at a concentration of 500 mg liter-1. Other bioassays were conducted with a 6-day mixing period prior to the bioassay or with acetone added to solubilize the PCBs. No mortality attributable to PCB toxicity was observed in definitive bioassays using the two fish and one invertebrate species. PCB levels leached from soil containing 500 ppm Aroclor 1242 ranged from less than 0.6 to 3.4 ppb in freshwater tests to 3.5 ppb in seawater bioassays. Using these data as the basis for waste classification, soils contaminated with up to 500 ppb PCBs during capacitor spills would be designated nonhazardous. PCBs are known to be environmentally persistent and to bioaccumulate. Acute toxicity tests, therefore, do not adequately evaluate the general toxicity of PCB-contaminated soils. Hazardous waste regulations for hydrophobic compounds such as PCBs should instead be based upon chronic toxicity data and should also consider bioaccumulation potential.