Laboratory studies of the effects of elemental phosphorus on selected marine organisms

Abstract

Literature reviews of bio-assay methodology and phosphorus toxicology are presented as part of the introduction to the thesis. A temperature-controlled, serial dilution unit designed to provide eight successive 2:1 dilutions and its actual performance are described. Marine organisms were collected in waters free of pollutants and tested at the Marine Sciences Research Laboratory. The three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, and the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, were assayed to determine median tolerance limits (TLm) and to compare the effects of two types of colloidal phosphorus formulations: phossy water from the Electric Reduction Company of Canada plant at Long Harbour and, colloidal dispersions of pure phosphorus (P₄) prepared in the laboratory. The 48 hour TLm values for stickleback and cod at 8.0°C are 190 ugm/L. and 27 ugm/L. respectively in ERCO phossy water; the 48 and 96 hour TLm's in pure P₄ dispersions at 8.0°C are 185 ugm/L. and 68 ugm/L. for stickleback and 28 ugm/L. and 16 ugm/L. P₄ for the cod. In bioassays conducted on the winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, the 48 and 96 hour TLm's are 70 ugm/L. and 25 ugm/L.P₄ respectively. Temperature affects the toxicity of yellow phosphorus to the three-spined stickleback, while particles of P₄ greater than 0.8microns have little or no effect on the same species. ERCO phossy water retards the righting response of the northern starfish, Asterias vulgaris, at concentrations lower than those required for lethality. Dispersions of phosphorus affects the hematocrit of the cod and winter flounder as well as the white cell count of the cod. P₄ causes a depression of the acetyl cholinesterase activity of the three-spined stickleback, a sufficient amount to cause death.