Effects of Organic Compounds on Amphibian Reproduction

Authors

Wesley J. Birge, University of Kentucky
Jeffrey A. Black, University of Kentucky
Robert A. Kuehne, University of Kentucky

Abstract

Aquatic toxicity tests were conducted with atrazine, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, methylene chloride, trisodium nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), and phenol. Each compound was administered to developmental stages of three to five amphibian species. Exposure was initiated at fertilization and maintained through 4 days posthatching. Test responses included lethality and teratogenesis. Different amphibian species exhibited varying degrees of tolerance to the selected compounds. Greatest tolerance usually was observed for the more broadly adapted semi-aquatic and terrestrial species (e.g., Bufo americanus, Bufo fowleri). The more sensitive amphibians usually included those species which normally are restricted to aquatic or moist habitats (e.g., Rana catesbeiana, Rana pipiens).

Median lethal concentrattons (mg/1) determined at 4 days posthatching ranged from 0.41 to > 48 for atrazine, 0.90 to 2.83 for carbon tetrachloride, 0.27 to 35.14 for chloroform, 17.78 to > 32 for methylene chloride, 39.3 to 252.3 for NTA, and 0.04 to > 0.89 for phenol. The most toxic compounds always included phenol, carbon tetrachloride, and atrazine, and the least toxic consistently were NTA and methylene chloride. for three chlorinated alkanes, including methylene chloride (CH₂Cl₂), chloroform (CHCl₃), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), toxicity increased with chlorination. Toxicity of the different compounds was further characterized by calculating concentrations which produced embryo-larval lethality or teratogenesis at frequencies of 10% (LC₁₀) and 1% (LC₁). On the basis of LC₁ values, Hyla crucifer, Rana catesbeiana, and Rana pipiens generally exhibited sensitivity equal to or slightly greater than that observed for embryolarval stages of the rainbow trout.

Publication Date

1-1980

Report Number

121

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/kwrri.rr.121

Funding Information

The work upon which this report is based was supported in part by funds provided by the Office of Water Research and Technology, United States Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C., as authorized by the Water Research and Development Act of 1978. Public Law 95-467.

Repository Citation

Birge, Wesley J.; Black, Jeffrey A.; and Kuehne, Robert A., "Effects of Organic Compounds on Amphibian Reproduction" (1980). KWRRI Research Reports. 82.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/kwrri_reports/82