Investigation on toxicity of cadmium: a multispecies approach

Abstract

Cadmium is a highly toxic metal and can accumulate in tissues. Multispecies approach using living organisms for broad toxicity picture of environmental toxicants is widely used. In this paper, a suite consisting of three indigenous Malaysian species for plant iLycopericon esculentum), freshwater fish (Rasbora sumatrana), and freshwater prawn (Macrobrachiurn Lanchesteri) were developed for testing of cadmium toxicity. Seed germination test for plants and static acute toxicity test methods for fish and prawn were done according to OECD methods. Toxicity was evaluated as the 96-h ECso for plant, and 96-h LCso for both tests using fish and prawn. Data obtained were statistically evaluated using a computerized program based on Finney's Probit Analysis Method. The 96-h EC50 of cadmium to Lycopersicon esculentum was 139,69 mg/L, while 96-h LCso of cadmium to Rasbora sumatrana and Macrobrachium lanchesteri were 4,318 mg/L and 0.023 mg/L respectively. Our studies showed that prawn with the least LC50 value was the most potentially useful organism for acute toxicity test of cadmium at low concentrations (0.015 mg/L - 0.046 mglL).