Toxicity and accumulation of zinc and copper in Hyalella azteca exposed to metal-spiked sediments

The relationship between zinc and copper toxicity in Hyalella azteca and accumulation from metal-spiked sediments was determined for future use in identifying sites where these metals contribute to sediment toxicity. Both zinc and copper accumulation increased rapidly with increasing sediment concentrations, showing no evidence of saturation as seen in waterborne exposures. Zinc accumulation from zinc spiked sediments was substantial, even at concentrations below those causing chronic toxicity, and body concentrations can readily be used to infer chronic toxicity. Chronic toxicity in spiked sediment exposures occurred at excess (above background) body concentrations twice as high as in waterborne exposures, possibly as a result of zinc in gut contents. In contrast, chronic copper toxicity occurred at body concentrations lower than those observed in waterborne exposures. Furthermore, body copper at low sediment exposures was independent of copper in sediment. Body copper concentrations can be used to infer short-term (1-week) toxicity but not chronic toxicity. Copper, but not zinc, caused a reduction in growth, even at concentrations below the 4-week LC25. Reduced growth can, therefore, be used to differentiate between chronic copper and zinc toxicity in sediments.