Copper toxicity and copper–zinc interactions in amphibian embryos

The copper hazard was evaluated by means of a 7-day toxicity test with Bufo arenarum embryos. The LC50 and LC10 values from 24 to 168 h of exposure were approx. 0.085 and 0.05 mg Cu2+/l, respectively, while the LC90 resulted in 0.155 mg Cu2+/l but in this case from 96 h onwards the LC90 diminished up to approx. 0.105 mg Cu2+/l. These data plotted as Toxicity Profiles (TOP) provide a better understanding of concentration and time-dependent thresholds. For instance, exposure threshold occurs within the first 24 h of treatment while for concentration thresholds LC10 and LC90 seem to be more meaningful than LC50 because the S.D. of this last value is overlapping those of LC10 and LC90 for most of the exposure period evaluated. Toxicity data corresponds to a pH of 6.8 which is normal for the maintaining media. Combined treatments of copper and zinc point out a beneficial effect of zinc proportional to the zinc concentration in the maintaining media, e.g. 100% of protection was achieved with 30 mg Zn2+/l for a copper concentration exerting 90% of mortality. The presence of Cu2+ did not enhance Zn2+ toxicity. The results are discussed in terms of water quality criteria for wildlife and human health protection purposes.