United States Office of Water EPA 440/5-84-026 

Environmental Protection Regulations and Standards January 1985 

Agency Criteria and Standards Division 

Washinqton, DC 20460 

Water 

&EPA Ambient 

Water Quality 


Criteria 

for 

Mercury - 1984 

PBHS-227452 


AMBIENT AQUATIC LIFE WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR 

MERCURY 

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 


OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 


ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORIES 


DULUTH, MINNESOTA 


NARRAGANSETT, RHODE ISLAND 

DISCLAIMER 


This report has been reviewed by the Criteria and Scandards Division, 

Office of Water Regulations and Standards, U.S. Environmencal Proceccion 

Agency, and approved for publication. ~ention of trade names or commercial 

products does not conscicure endorsemenc or recommendacion for use. 

AVAILABILITY NOTICE 

This document is available co the public through the National Technical 

Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161. 

ii 
FOREWORD 

Section 304(a)(l) of the Clean Water Ace of 1977 (P.L. 95-217) requires 

the Adminiscracor of che Environmental Procection Agency co publish criteria 

for water quality accurately reflecting the latest scientific knowledge on 

che kind and extent of all identifiabl~ effects on health and welfare which 

may be expected from che presence of pollucancs in any body of water, 

including ground water. 'Tilis document is a revision of proposed criteria 

based upon a consideration of corrmenr::s received from other Federal agencies, 

Scace agencies, special interest groups, and individual scientists. The 

criteria contained in chis document replace any previously published EPA 

aquatic life criteria. 

The cenn "wacer quality criteria" is used in r::wo sections of r::he Clean 

Wacer Ace, section 304(a)(l) and section 303(c)(2). Tile cerm has a different 

program impact in each section. In section 304, the term represents a 

non-regulatory, scientific assessment of ecological effects. The criteria 

presented in chis publication are such scientific assessments. Such water 

quality criteria associated with specific scream uses when adopted as Seate 

water qualicy standards under section 303 become enforceable maximum 

acceptable levels of a pollutant in ambient waters. The water quality 

criceria adopted in the Stace water quality standards could have the same 

numerical limits as r::he criteria developed under section 304. However, in 

rnany situations States may wane co adjust wacer quality criteria developed 

under section 304 co reflect local envirornnencal conditions and human 

exposure patterns before incorporation inco wacer quality standards. It is 

not until cheir adopr::ion as pare of che Scace war::er quality standards chat 

che criteria become re~ulatory. 

GuidelinP.s co assist the States in the modification of criteria 

presented in this document, in the development of water quality standards, 

and in ocher wacer-relaced pro~rams of chis Agency, have been developed by 

EPA. 

Edwin L. Johnson 

Direccor 

Office of Water Regulations and Standards 

111 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 


J. Howard ~cCormick 

(freshwacer auchor) 

Environmencal Research Laboratory 

Duluth, Minnesota 

Charles E. Stephan 

(document coordinator) 

Environmental Research Laboratory 

Duluth, Minnesota 

Judy L. Crane 

University of Wisconsin-Superior 

Superior, Wisconsin 

Clerical Support: Terry L. Hi~hland 

John H. Gentile 

(saltwater author) 

Environmental Research Laboratory 

Narragansett, Rhode Island 

David J. Hansen 

(saltwater coordinator) 

Environmental Research Laboratory 

Narragansecc, Rhode Island 

iv 
CONTENTS 


Page 


Foreword .... iii 


Acknowled~ruents lV 

Tables . . . . . Vl 

Introduction . l 


Acuce Toxicity co Aquatic Animals 6 


Chronic Toxicity co Aquatic Animals 8 


Toxicity co Aquatic Planes . 9 


Bioaccurnul:icion 10 


Ocher Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 17 


Unused Daca 18 


Summary 20 


National Criteria ....................... 21 


References . . . . . . . . . • • . • . • . . . . . . . . . • • . . . . 76 


v 
TABLES 

Page 

1. 	 Acute Toxicity of Mercury co Aquacic Animals . 26 


2. 	 Chronic Toxicity of Mercury co Aquatic Animals 36 


3. 	 Ranked Genus Mean Acuce Values wich Species Mean Acuce-Chronic 


Rae ios 38 


4. 	 Toxicity of Mercury co Aquacic Planes 44 


5. 	 Bioaccumulacion of ~ercury by Aquacic Or~anisms 46 


6. 	 Ocher Data on Effects of ~ercury on Aquatic Organisms 48 


Vl 
Introduction* 

Mercury has long been recognized as one of the most toxic of the heavy 

metals, but only recently was it identified as a serious pollutant in the 

aquatic environment (National Research Council, 1978; National Research 

Council Canada, 1979; Nria~u, 1979). Elemental ~ercury is a heavy liquid at 

room temperature and was considered relatively inert, because ic was assumed 

that it would quickly settle co the bottom of a body of water and remain 

there in an innocuous state. However, elemental mercury is oxidized to 

mercury(Il) under natural conditions (Wood, 1974). Furthermore, mercury(Il), 

whee her dischar~ed directly or produced from elemental n1ercury, can be 

methylated by both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria (Akagi, 1979; Beijer and 

Jernelov, 1979; Callahan, et al. 1979; Jernelov, 1971, 1972; Jernelov, et al. 

1975; National Research Council, 1978; Summers and Silver, 1978; Tilayer and 

Brinckman, 1982; Wright and Hamilton, 1982). Mercury(II) can also be 

methylated in the slime coat, liver, and intestines of fish (Jernelov, 1968; 

Matsumura, ec al. 1975; Rudd, et al. 1980b), but mechylacion apparently does 

not occur in ocher tissues (Huckabee, et al. 1978; Macida, ec al. 1971; 

Pennacchioni, et al. 1976) or in planes (Czuba and Mortimer, 1980). (The 

cerm "mechylmercury" is used herein co refer only co monomechylmercury, and 

noc co dimechylmercury or any ocher monoQr~anomercury sale or diorganomercury 

compound. Inorganic mercury( II) wi 11 be re ferred co as "mercury( II) 11 .) 

TI1e importance of mechylacion may be reduced by demechylacion (Bisogni, 

1979; Ramamoorthy, et al. 1982). Demechylacion might provide a feedback 

*An understanding of che "Guidelines for Deriving Numerical National Wacer 


Quality Criteria for the Proceccion of Aquatic Organisms and Their Uses" 


(Stephan, et al., 1985), hereafter referred co as the Guidelines, is 


necessary in order co understand the following cexc, cables, and calculations. 


1 
mechanism chat controls che concentration of methylmercury in sediment and in 

water. Jernelov, et al. (1975) cited a case in which low levels of methylmercury in fish from a highly contaminated area coincided wich scrong 

mechylmercury degrading activity in the sediment. Demechylation also occurs 

in fish (Burrows and Krenkel, 1973; de Freitas, et al. 1981; Gage, 1964; 

Olson, et al. 1978), probably as pare of the depuration mechanism. 

Numerous factors such as alkalinity, ascorbic acid, chloride, dissolved 

oxygen, hardness, organic complexing agents, pR, sediment, and temperature 

probably affect the acute and chronic toxicity and bioaccumulation of che 

various forms of mercury (Amend, et al. 1969; Baker, et al. 1983; Feich, et 

al. 1972; Hahne and Kroontje, 1973; Jernelov, 1980; Ramamoorthy and 

Blumhagen, 1984; Ribeyre and Boudou, 1982; Rogers and Beamish, 1981, 1983; 

Rudd, ec al. 1980a; Rudd and Turner, 1983a,b; Sharma, et al. 1982; Stokes, ec 

al. 1983; Tsai, et al. 1975; Wren and MacCrimmon, 1983; Wright and Hamilton, 

1982). 

A variety of studies have been conducted on the effect of selenium on 

the acute toxicity of mercury (e.~., Birge, et al. 1981; Bowers, et al. 1980; 

De Filippis, 1979; Heisinger, 1981; Heisinger, et al. 1979; Klaverkamp, et 

al., 1983a; Lawrence and Holoka, 1983; Sharma and Davis, 1980c) and on rhe 

accumulation of mercury from food and water (e.g., Beijer and Jernelov, 1978; 

Chang, et al. 1983; Heisinger, et al. 1979; Klaverkamp, ec al. 1983b; Rudd, 

et al. 1980a; Sharma and Davis, 1980c; Speyer, 1980; Turner and Swick, 1983). 

Available data do not, however, show chat quantitative relationships are 

consistent enough for a variety of aquatic species co enable relating water 

quality criteria co any of these variables. 

Because of the variety of forms of inorganic and organic mercury and 

lack of definitive information about their relative toxicities, no available 

2 

analytical measurement is known co be ideal for expressing aquacic life 

criteria for mercury. Previous aquatic life criteria for mercury (U.S. EPA, 

1980) were specified in terms of cotal recoverable mercury, which would 

probably be measured as cocal mercury (U.S. EPA, l983a), but boch of chese 

measurements are probably coo rigorous in some situations. Acid-soluble 

mercury (operationally defined as che mercury chac passes through a 0.45 Jm 

membrane filter after the sample is acidified co pH• 1.5 ~o 2.0 wich nitric 

acid) is orobably the besc measurement ac the present for the following 

reasons: 

1. 	 This measurement is compatible wich all available daca concerning 

toxicity of mercury to, and bioaccumulation of mercury by, aquatic 

or~anis~s. ~o cesc results were rejected jusc because it was likely chat 

they would have been subscancially different if they had been reported in 

cer~s of acid-soluble mercury. For example, results reported in terms of 

dissolved mercury would not have been used if the concentration of 

precipitated mercury was subscancial. 

2. 	 On samples of ambient water, measurement of acid-soluble mercury should 

measure all for111S of mercury chac are coxic co aquatic life or can be 

readily converted co toxic forms under natural conditions. 1n addition, 

chis measurement should not measure several forms, such as mercury chat 

is occluded in minerals, clays, and sand or is strongly sorbed to 

particulate matter, chat are not toxic and are noc likely co become toxic 

under natural conditions. Although chis measurement (and many ochers) 

will measure soluble, complexed forms of mercury, such as the EDTA 

complex of mercury(1I), chat probably have low toxicities co aquatic 

life, concencracions of these fonns probably are negligible in most 

ambient water. 

3 
3. 	 Although water quality criteria apply to ambient water, the measurement 

used co express criteria is likely co be used to measure mercury in 

aqueous effluents. Measurement of acid-soluble mercury should be 

applicable co effluents because it will measure precipitates, such as 

carbonate and hydroxide precipitates of mercury(II), that might exist in 

an effluent and dissolve when che effluent is diluted with receiving 

wacer. If desired, dilution of effluent with receiving water before 

measurement of acid-soluble mercury mi~hc be used co determine whether 

che receiving wacer can decrease the concentration of acid-soluble 

mercury because of sorpcion. 

4. 	 The acid-soluble measurernent should be useful for most metals, thus 

minimizing che number of samples and procedures chat are necessary. 

5. 	 The acid-soluble neasurement does not require filtration ac the time of 

collection, as does the dissolved measurement. 

6. 	 The only treatment required at the time of collection is preservation by 

acidification co pH• 1.5 co 2.0, similar co chat required for the total 

measurement. 

7. 	 Durac ions of 10 minutes to 24 hours between acid i ficac ion and filtration 

probably will not affect che resulc substancially. 

8. 	 The carbonate system has a much higher buffer capacicy from pH= 1.5 co 

2.0 	than it does from pH = 4 co 9 (Weber and Stumm, 1963). 

9. 	 Differences in pH wichin che ran~e of 1.5 co 2.0 probably will not affect 

the result subscantially. 

10. 	Afrer acidificacion and filtration of che sample co isolate the acidsoluble mercury, the analysis for total acid-soluble mercury can be 

perfor~ed using permanganace and persulfate oxidacion and cold vapor 

atomic absorption (U.S. EPA, 1983a), as with che total measurement. 

4 

Acid-soluble inorganic mercury can be measured by noc breaking down che 

organomercury compounds before using cold vapor atomic absorpcion. 

~echylmercury has been measured using gas chromatography (Cappon, 1984; 

Hildebrand, et al. 1980; Paasivirta, ec al. 1981), chin layer chromatography (Kudo, et al. 1982), and liquid chromatography (Gast and Kraak, 

1979; MacCrehan and Dursc, 1978). 

Thus, expressing aquatic life criteria for mercury in terms of che acidsoluble measurement has boch coxicological and practical advantages. On the 

ocher hand, because no ~easurement is known co be ideal for expressing 

aquatic Life criceria for mercury or for measuring mercury in ambient water 

or aqueo11s effluents, measurement of both total acid-soluble mercury and 

cocal mercury in ambient water or effluent or both might be useful. For 

example, chere rni~ht be cause for concern if cocal mercury is much above an 

applicable limic, even chough total acid-soluble mercury is below the limit. 

Unless otherwise noced, all concentrations reported herein are expected 

co be essentially equivalent co acid-soluble mercury concencracions. All 

concentrations are expressed as mercury, not as the chemical tested. 111e 

criteria presented herein supersede previous aquatic life water quality 

criteria for mercury (U.S. EPA, 1976, 1980) because these new cr1cer1a were 

derived using improved procedures and additional information. Whenever 

adequately justified, a national criterion may be replaced by a site-specific 

criterion (U.S. EPA, 1983b), which may include noc only site-specific 

crjcerion concencracions (U.S. EPA, 1983c), but also site-specific dura~ions 

of averaging periods and site-specific frequencies of allowed exceedences 

(U.S. EPA, 1985). 111e lacesc literature search for information for chis 

document was conducted in May, 1984; some newer information was also used. 

5 

Acute Toxicity co Aquatic Animals 

Table I contains the primarv acute coxicicy daca for three classes of 

mercury compounds: mercury( II), mechylmercury, and ocher mercury compounds, 

chiefly or~anic. Tile latter information exists principally because many of 

these compounds were considered for use in creatmenc of diseases and control 

of parasites in fish culture, although their source for environmental concern 

is from industrial and agricultural uses for fungus control. Boch phenylmercuric acetate and pyridylmercuric acetate have been called PMA. Tests 

have been conducted on different formulations which contain various 

percentages of active ingredient and che percenca~es of active ingredient 

given by the authors were used co calculate mercury concencracions. When che 

percenca~e of active ingredient was not ~iven for pyridylmercuric acecace, 80 

percent was assumed (Allison, 1957). 

The freshwater acuce toxicity values indicate that the difference in 

sensitivity between different species co a particular mercury compound is far 

~reater chan che difference in sensicivicy of a particular species co various 

mercury compounds. For example, che reported acuce values for mercury(II) 

ran~e from 2.217 :Jg/L for Daphnia pulex co 2,000 ,J~/L for che aquatic sca~es 

of certain insects, wich a continual gradation in sensitivity amon~ 

intermediate species (Table 3). On the ocher hand, Joshi and Rege (1980), 

Lock and van Overbeeke (1981) and Matida, ec al. (1971) found chat various 

species were 4 co 31 times ~ore sensicive co various organic mercury 

compounds than to mercuric chloride (Table 1). 

MacLeori and Pessah (1973) studied the effect of cernperacure on the acuce 

coxicity of mercuric chloride co rainbow crout. At 5, 10, and 15 C, the 

LC50s were 400, 280, and 220 :Jg/L, respectively (Tables l and 6). Clemens 

and Sneed (1958b) found a similar effect of temperacure on toxicity co 

6 

juvenile channel catfish; at LO, 16.5, and 24 C che acuce values for phenylmercuric acetate were 1,960, 1,360, and 233 ~g/L, respeccively (Table 6). 

'The 28 Genus Mean Acute Values in Table 3 were calculated as ~eomecric 

means of the available Species Mean Acute Values (Tables 1 and 3). A~uce 

values are available for more than one species in each of cwo genera, and the 

range of Species Mean Acute Values within each genus 1s less than a factor of 

1.6. On che ocher hand, a midge was among the most sensitive species, 

whereas ocher insects were the most resistant species. The most sensitive 

genus, Daphnia, is 756 times more sensitive than the most resistant, 

Acroneuria (Table 3). A freshwater Final Acute Value of 4.857 ~g/L was 

obtained for mercury(!!) usin~ the Genus Mean Acute Values in Table 3 and the 

calculation procedure described in che Guidelines. Noc enough daca are 

available co calculate a Final Acute Value for methylmercury, buc the 

available daca indicate chat ic is more acutely toxic than mercury(II). 

Salcwater fishes and invertebrates boch show wide ranges of sensitivities co mercury(II). Acute values for fishes range from 36 ~g/L for spot co 

1,678 ~g/L for winter flounder (Tables 1 and 3). Among invercebraces a ~ysid 

has an acute value of 3.5 ~g/L, whereas the value for the safe-shell clam is 

400 ~g/L. Of the 29 saltwater genera for which acute values are available, 

the most sensitive, Mysidopsis, is 479 cimes more sensitive than the mosc 

resistant, Pseudooleuronecces. Acute values are available for more than one 

species in each of three genera and che range of Species Mean Acuce Values 

within each genus is less than a f3ctor of 1.7. The salcwacer Final Acute 

Value of 4.125 μ~/L was calculated for roercury(II) from the Genus ~ean A~uce 

Values in Table 3. 

7 

Chronic Toxicicy co Aquacic Animals 

Chronic toxicity tests with Daphnia magoa have been conducced on chree 

mercury compounds (Table 2). The renewal and flow-chrough techniques 

produce~ similar results for mercury(II), buc the renewal technique produced 

much higher results for methylmercury, presumably because of volacilicy. In 

addition, a chronic test with brook crouc on mechylmercuric chloride yielded 

a chronic value of 0.5193 ~g/L. Both an early life-scage cest and a 

life-cycle test on mercuric chloride found adverse effects on the fathead 

minnow ac all concentrations rested including the lowest of 0.23 Jg/L. For 

mercuric chloride the acute-chronic ratio with Daphnia magna is less than 6, 

whereas chac with che fathead minnow is ~rearer chan 600. For methylmercury 

the acute-chronic ratio with brook trout is 142.3. 

A chronic value of 1.131 μg/L was obtained in a flow-through life-cycle 

exposure of a rnysid co mercuric chloride (Table 2). Groups of 30 juvenile 

mysids were reared in each of 5 concentrations for 36 days ac: 21 C and a 

salinity of 30 g/kg. Effects examined included rime co first spawn and 

producc:ivic:y (cocal number of young/number of available female spawning days 

and cotal number of spawns/number of available female spawning days). No 

spawnin~ occurred ac 2.5 ~g/L. Time co spawn and produccivicy ac 1.6 ~g/L 

were significancly different from che controls. The highesc concentration ac 

which no scatistically significant effect on reproductive processes was 

detected was 0.8 ~g/L. Therefore, che chronic limits are 0.8 and 1.6 μg/L 

and che chronic value is 1.131 ;Jg/L. The 96-hr LC50 for chis species in che 

same scudy was 3.5 ·Jg/L, .~ivin~ an acuce-chronic raci.o of 3.095 (Table 2). 

The species mean acute-chronic ratio for Daphnia magna is 4.498, whereas 

chat for che mysid is 3.095 (Table 3). These are sensitive species in fresh 

and sale wacer, respectively, and che four most sensitive species in each 

8 
wacer are invertebrates. Thus, it seems reasonable co use che geometric mean 

of chese two values as the Final Acuce-Chronic Racio (Table 3). Division of 

the Final Acute Values by 3.731 resulcs in freshwacer and saltwater Final 

Chronic Values of 1.302 and 1.106 ~g/L, respectively. Even though che 

fathead minnow was considerably less sensitive chan Daphnia magna in acute 

tests, the acute-chronic ratio for che fachead minnow is so high chat its 

chronic value is below the Final Chronic Value and probably below the Final 

Residue Value (see below). If the acute-chroni~ racio of greater than 649 

for the fathead minnow is representative of ratios for ocher freshwacer and 

salcwater fishes, -then twelve of fourteen tested fish species, including the 

rainbow trout, coho salmon, blue~ill, and haddock, would have chronic values 

below the Final Chronic Value. Various values for vertebrates in Table 6 are 

below the Final Chronic Value or are indicacive of lar~e acute-chronic racios. 

Toxicicv to Aquatic Planes 

:.fuereas some freshwater plane values for mercury(II) are about 1,000 

~g/L (Table 4), effects of mercury(II) and mechylmercury have been observed 

at concencrations below 10 ~g/L, respectively (Table 6). Some organomercury 

compounds have affected algae ac concencracions less than 1.0 μg/L (Table 6). 

Although freshwater planes are relatively insensitive co mercury(II) and 

sensitive to mechylmercury, they do not appear co be more sensitive co 

methylmercury than freshwater animals. 

Data concerning che toxicity of mercuric chloride co saltwater planes 

are from four studies with ei~hc species of algae. The ECSOs (Table 4) 

indicate reduction in growth at concentrations ranging from 10 to 160 μg/L. 

No data are available concerning the coxicicies of or~anoraercury compounds co 

saltwater planes. 

9 

Bioaccumulat:ion 

Bioconcencracion is a function of che relacive races of uptake and 

depuracion. The bioconcencracion faccor (BCF) of mercury is high for fish 

because upcake is relacively fast and depuracion is very slow. Thus, che 

biological half-life of mercury in fish is approximately 2 co 3 years (de 

Freitas, ec al. 1974, lq77; Jarvenpaa, ec al. 1970; Lockhart, ec al. 1972; 

McKim, ec al. 1976; Mellin~er, 1973; Ruohcula and Miettinen, 1975; Sharpe, et 

al. 1977). Depuracion of mercury is so slow thac, even in che absence of 

eicposure co mercury, lon§-cerm reduccion in the concencracion of mercury in 

fish cissue is la~gely due cd dilucion by cissue addition from growth. 

Usually less chan 60 percent of mercury in invertebrates is mechylated, but 

in fish, except for young fish, 1Jsually moce than 70 percent is methylated 

(Bache, et al. 1971; Baluja, et al. 1983; Busch, 1983; Cappon, 1984; Cappon 

and Smich, 1982a,b; ijactula, et al. 1978; Hildebrand, et al. 1980; Huckabee, 

et al. 1979; Kudo, ec al. 1982; Luten, ec al. 1980; Paasivirca, et al. 

1983). 

The distribution of mercury wichin a fish is the result of the movement 

of mercury from the absorbing surfaces (gills, skin, and gastrointestinal 

trace), inco che blood, chen co che internal or~ans, and evencually eicher co 

che kidney or bile for recycling or eliminacion or co muscle for long-cerm 

storage. As the tissue concencracion approaches steady-scace, nee 

accumulacion rate is slowed eicher by a reduction in upcake race, possibly 

due co inhibition of membrane transport, or by an increase in depuration 

race, possibly because of a saturation of storage sices, or both. 

Hi~h concentrations of mercury in the slime coat of cercai!l. freshwatt!r 

fishes, such as burboc, eels, and northern pike, and in the skin of acucelyexposed fishes are believed co be due co the mechylacing activity of baccecia 

lO 
prevalent in che mucous coac (Jernelov, 1968). In addicion, acutely cox1c 

concentrations of mercury have been reported co stimulate secretion of mucus 

(Baker, 1973; Lock, et al. 1981; McKone, et al. 1971). When acutely exposed 

fish are placed in mercury-free water, che skin quickly loses ~ercury, 

probably because of elimination of mercury(Il) and sloughing of che slime 

coat (Burrows and Krenkel, 1973; Burrows, ec al. 1974). The skin and mucous 

coac are in direcc concacc wich mercury in wacer and can accumulace 

proportionately more mercury during shore exposure chan muscle. During long 

exposure there is sufficient time for mercury co reach more permanent storage 

s1ces, 

Because sorption at the gill surfac~ is a major pathway of mercury into 

aquatic organisms (Fromm, 1977), increases in temperature and activity cause 

increases in metabolic race and ventilacion race and, therefore, uptake race 

(de Freitas and Hare, 1975; Rogers and Bea:nish, 1981). The relationship 

between temperature and tissue resi~ues seems co apply primarily before 

steady-scace is reached (Reinert, ec al. 1974) buc also co some excenc ac 

sceady-scace (8oudou, et al. 1979; Cember, et al. 1978; Hartung, 1976). The 

laccer is difficult co understand if sceady-scace results from saturation of 

~vailable binding sites. Apparencly not only are uptake and depuracion 

accelerated by cemperacure (Ruohcula and Mieccinen, 1975), buc higher cissue 

residues also occur ac higher cemperacures, posibly because the uptake race 

increases proportionately more than che depuracion race. 

Similarly, low concencracions of dissolved oxy~en are likely to increase 

both respiration rate and uptake race. Larson (1976) found chat che tow 

concentration of dissolved oxygen in a eucrophic lake forced fishes inco 

warmer surface wacers co secure adequate oxygen. The warmer surface wacer 

apparently stimulated metabolic race and increased mercury uptake. 

11 

Increased metabolic race increases noc only ventilation rate but also 

energy demand and thus increases food consumption and exposure to mercury 

through the food chain. Uptake through both the gills and the digestive 

cract is significant for fish, and some data suggest chat tissue residues are 

hi~her in organisms exposed via boch routes than via either separately 

(Boudou, et al. 1979; Phillips and Buhler, 1978). 'lbe relative importance of 

uptake from food for various fish species depends on such things as 

assimilation efficiency (Phillips and Gre~ory, 1979), body size, growth race, 

a~d life s~an (Sharpe, ec al. 1977), and diec (Murray, 1978). Although 

Murray (1978) did find differenc concentrations of mercury in different fish 

sp~cies, Huckabee (1972) and Huckabee, et al. (1974) found similar concentrations in boch forage and game fish in che same environment. 

Haines (1981) reported chac acid rain tends co scour more mercury from 

che air. Acidification of a body of water might also increase mercury 

residues in fish even if no new input of mercury occurs, possibly because 

lower pH increases vencilacion race and membrane permeability, accelerates 

the rates of methylation and 11ptake, affects partitionin~ between sedimen~ 

and water, or reduces growth or reproduction of fish (Akielaszek and Haines, 

1981; Fromm, 1980; Hahne and Kroontje, 1973; Jernelov, 1980; Miller and 

Aka~i, 1979; Ribeyre and Boudou, 1982; Rudd and Turner, 1983b; Scheider, ec 

al. 1979; Stokes, et al. 1983; Tsai, et al. 1975; Wrenn and MacCrimmon, 

1983). However, Heiskary and Helwig (1983) did noc find a relation between 

pH and mercury in fish. 

The available information (e.g., Boudou and Ribeyre, 1981; Boudou, ec 

al. 1977, 1980; de Freitas, ec al. 1981; Hamdy and Prabhu, 1979; Hamelink, et 

al. 1977; Herrick, ec al. 1982; ~uckabee, ec al. 1979; Jernelov and Lann, 

1971; Klaverkamp, ec al. 1983c; MacCri:nmon, et al. 1983; Norstrom, et al. 

12 

1976; Phillips, et al. 1980; Ribeyre, ec al. 1980; Rogers and Beamish, 1982; 

Rogers and Qadri, 1982) indicates chat the importance of uptake from food 

probably depends on the form and concentration of mercury in the diet and on 

che size and metabolic race of the fish. Transfer of mercury from fish co 

wildlife predators has also been observed (Heinz, et al. 1980; Kucera, 1983; 

Wren, et al. 1983). 

The available freshwater BCFs are listed in Tables S and 6. Table S 

contains BCFs only from chose studies in which the exposure concentrations 

were adequacely measured and the tissue residues reached steady-state or che 

test lasted Longer than 27 days. Although the BCFs presented Ln Table 6 do 

not meet all these conditions, they do provide information on BCFs for planes 

and illustrate the very important influence of temperature on 

bioconcencration. 

~cKim, er al. {1976) studied the uptake of mechylmercury inco various 

tissues of brook crout. Ac concentrations in water of 0.93, 0.29, 0.09 and 

0.03 ~~/L the resulting concentrations in muscle after 273 days were 10,000, 

S,000, 1,900, and 1,000 μg/kg and the corresponding BCFs were 11,000, 17,000, 

21,000, and 33 1 000, respectively. Because the concencration of mercury in 

the muscle qid noc de~rease as much as the concentration in water, the BCFs 

increased as che concentration in water decreased. A possible explanation 

for an inverse relationship between concentration in water and BCF is chat 

steady-state results from saturation of available binding sites (Cember, et 

al. 1978). · The maximum concentration in cissue wouid then be dependent on 

the number of available bindin~ sites and would be independent of the concencracion of mercury in water. If the concentration in tissue were conscanc, 

the BCF would be inversely proportional to the concentration in water. 

However, neither the concencracion in tLssue nor the BCF was constant. The 

13 

comparable BCFs for the whole body were 10,000, 12,000, 12,000, and 23,000 

and are lower than those for muscle. The fish were adversely affected at 

0.93 μg/L, but for both muscle and whole body, che BCF at this concencracion 

is in line with the ocher BCFs. Even chough concentrations up co 0.29 )g/L 

did not cause statistically significant adverse effects, che concencration of 

mercury in fish exposed to 0.03 ~g/L were ac che FDA action level. 

Olson, et al. (1975) obtained much higher BCFs for mechylmercury wich 

che fachead minnow, and che BCF was also concencracion-dependent. As che 

concencracion in che water decreased from 0.247 :Jg/L co 0.018 μg/L, the 

concentration in che fish decreased from 10,900 μg/kg co 1,470 μg/kg, but che 

~CF decreased from 44,100 co 81,700. The contrast between che results wich 

che fathead minnow at 25 C (Olson, ec al. 1975) and brook crouc ac 9 co 15 C 

(McKim, et al. 1976) is one of ~onsiderable interest and potential 

importance. The trout were fed pelleted feed, and so had little opportunity 

for food chain input. In contrast, che fathead minnow is a browser and 

probably fed noc only on che introduced food buc also on the Aufwuchs growing 

in the test solution to which mercury had been added. Thus the higher BCFs 

for the fathead minnow might be more represencacive of field sicuacions in 

which fish are exposed co methylmercury via both the wacer and food (Phillips 

and Buhler, 1978; Phillips and Gregory, 1979; Rogers and Beamish, 1982). 

Also, because temperature affects bioconceocration, the fathead minnow might 

be more representative of commonly consumed warmwater fishes. 

In a 75-day rest, Niimi and Lowe-Jinde (1984) found 12 mg/kg in the 

whole body of rainbow trout exposed co 0.15 ;.1g mechylmercury/L (0.14 ;Jg 

mercury/L) in water and 18 ~g mercury/kg in food. The BCF of 85,700 LS 

higher chan the highest BCF obtained by Olson, ec al. (1975). However, at 

0.012 μ~/L and 18 •Jg/kg, they found 0.053 mg/kg in the trout. This BCF of 

14 

4,077 is lower than the lowest BCF obtained by XcKim, et al. (1976). Also, 

although both McKim, ec al. (1976) and Olson, et al. (1975) found higher BCFs 

at lower concentrations in water, ~iimi and Lowe-Jiode (1984) found just che 

ooposice. 

Tile FDA accion level for mercury in fish and shellfish is 1.0 mg/kg 

(Table 5), and now only applies co the methylmercury in consumed tissues 

(U.S. FDA, 1984a,b). In their test on mechylmercury, McKim, et al. (1976) 

found chat brook trout exposed co 0.03 ug/L contained 1 mg/kg in muscle 

tissue. However, in their test on methylmercury with the fachead minnow, 

Olson, et al. (1915) found chat exposure co 0.018 ~g/L resulted in 1.47 mg/kg 

in the fish and a BCF of 81,700. Use of chis BCF with the FDA action level 

results in a Final Residue Value of 0.012 ~g/L for mechylmercury (Table 5). 

The concentration in che fathead minnow is for whole body, but Heisinger, et 

al. (1979) found no significant difference between various body compartments. 

Further, Huckabee, et al. (1974) found that all fishes in a particular 

environment acquired about che same concentrations of mercury in both the 

~hole body and muscle cissue when they were chronically exposed co low 

concentrations of mercury. On the ocher hand, Heiskary and Helwig (1983) and 

McKim, et al. (1976) found hi~her concencracLons of mercury in the edible 

portion of fish than in che whole body. Thus che concentration of mercury in 

the muscle of some edible species is likely to exceed che FDA action level 

when exposed to methylmercury at a concentration of 0.012 ~g/L. 

Although the FDA action level only aoplies co rnechylmer~ury in fish and 

shellfish, it can be used co derive a water quality criterion for mercury(II) 

because most of the mercury in fish is methylmer~ury even if che organisms 

were exposed co inorganic mercury (de Freitas, ec al. 1974; Jernelov and 

Lann, 1971). A BCF of 4,994 was obtained for mercuric chloride in a 

15 

Life-cycle cesc with the fachead minnow (Snarski and Olson, 1982). This BCF 

is based on the concencracion of mercuric chloride in the water and che total 

concencracion of organic and inorganic mercury in che cissue. Even chough 

all concentrations cested caused adverse effects and che higher concentrac ions caused more severe effects, che BCFs were similar at all concencracions 

and were lower chan chose obtained with mechylmercury by McKim, ec al. (1976) 

and Olson, et al. (1975). Use of che BCF of 4,994 with che FDA accion level 

of 1.0 mg/kg results in a freshwater Final Residue Value of 0.20 ~g/L for 

mercury(II) (Table 5). This value of 0.20 ~g/L derived for mercury(II) 

would, however, be coo low if·field BCFs are higher than laboratory BCFs, if 

wacers concain subscancial concencractons of mechylmercury, or if methylacion 

processes are accelerated in sediment. 

Infot"lnacion on the bioconcencration of various mercury compounds by 

saltwater animals and plants is included in Tables 5 and 6 and by salcwac~r 

plankton in Table 6. For mercuric chloride, BCFs ranged from 853 to 10,920 

with al~ae. In tests with the eastern oyster, BCFs of 10,000, 40,000, and 

40,000 were obtained for ~ercuric chloride, mechylmercuric chloride and 

phenylmercuric chloride, respectively (Kopfler, 1974). These are similar to 

the BCFs obtained with freshwater fish, but che BCF of 129 obtained for 

mercuric chloride in tail muscle of the American lobster is much lower. 

To protect the marketability of salcwacer shellfish for human 

consumption, Final Residue Values can be calculated based on the BCFs for the 

oyster and che FDA accion level of 1.0 mg/kg. Accordingly, the Final Residue 

Values for mercuric chloride, mechylmercuric chloride, and phenylmercuric 

chloride are 0.10, 0.025, and 0.025 ~g/L, respectively. However, ac these 

concentrations fifty percent of che exposed oysters would probably exceed the 

16 

FDA action level if all the mercury in the body were present as methylmercury. 

Other Data 

Most of the significant freshwater and saltwater results in Table 6 have 

already been discussed in connection with data in Tables 1-5, but a few 

additional items deserve special mention. Comparable tests with four species 

showed that mercuric cyanide was 0.67 co 50 times as coxic as mercuric 

chloride. Also, Bir~e, et al. (1979) reported chat flow-through tests gave 

ECSOs nearly cwo orders of magnitude lower than static tests with rainbow 

trout, catfish, goldfish, and largemouth bass (Table 6). Bouquegneau (1979) 

found chat preexposure induced metallochionein production, which then 

protected the fish. 

Molybdenum (Yamane and Koizumi, 1982) and vitamin E (Ganther, 1978, 

1980) affects the coxicity of mercury co ~ammals, and probably many consumers 

of aquatic or~anisms, as does selenium (e.g., Alexander, et al. 1979; Berlin, 

1978; National Research Council, 1978; National Research Council Canada, 

1979; Stopford and Goldwater, 1975; Strom, et al. 1979). Wobeser, et al. 

(1976a,b) found methylmercury to be much less coxic to ~ink when chey were 

fed freshwater drum, Aplodinolus grunniens, containin~ high mercury cissue 

residues than when they were fed a diet to which mechylmercury chloride had 

been added. On the other hand, Albanus, ec al. (1972) and Charbonneau, et 

al. (1974) found similar toxicity co cats when fed similar dietary 

concentrations of methylmercury, one as a tissue residue in pike and the 

ocher with methylmercury added co the racion. 

Finley and Stendell (1978) and Heinz (1979a) fed black and mallard 

ducks, respectively, food contaminated with methylmercuric dicyandiamide. 

17 

Tiiese feeding studies extended over two and three generations, respectively, 

and demonstrated reduced hatching success and juvenile survival ac mercury 

concentrations chat were estimated co be equivalent co 0.5 and 0.1 mg/kg, 

respectively, in che natural succulent food of the wild ducks. These results 

were not used co estimate a Final Residue Value based on food for wildlife 

because the dicyandiamide compound mi~ht noc represent the coxicicy of 

mechylmercury alone. Nevertheless, these cescs suggest chat the Final 

Residue Value mi~ht be an order of magnitude too high because at lease one of 

these authors believes chat the anion had little effect on the results 

(Heinz, 1979b). 

Unused Data 

Some data on the effects of mercury on aquatic organisms were not used 

because rhe studies were conducted wich species chat are not resident in 

North Ameri~a (e.g., Ahsanullah, 1982; Akiyama, 1970; Dial, 1978a,b; 

Heisinger and Green, 1975; Jones, 1939a, 1940, 1973, 1975; Khangaroc, et al. 

1982; Kihlstrom and Hulch, 1972; Krishnaja and Rege, 1982; Mathur, et al. 

1981; McClurg, 1984; Murti and Shukla, 1984; Nagashima, ec al. 1983; Saxena 

and Parashari, 1983; Shaffi, 1981; Srivastava, 1982; van den Broek and 

Tracey, 1981; Verma, et al. 1984), or because che cest species was not 

obtained in North America and was not identified well enough to decer~ine if 

ic is resident in North America (Hannerz, 1968). Brown and Ahsanullah (1971) 

conducted cescs with brine shrimp, which species is coo atypical co be used 

in deriving national cr1rer1a. Reviews by Chapman, er al. (1968), Eisler 

(1981), Eisler, er al. (1979), Phillips and Russo (1978), and Thompson, ec 

al. (1972) only contain data chat have been published elsewhere. 

18 

The 96-hr values reported by Buikema, et al. (1974a,b) were subject co 

error because of possible reproductive interactions (Buikema, et al. 1977). 

Applegate, et al. (1957) exposed only one or two organisms. Data were not 

used if t:he mode of exposure was inappropriate for deriving water qualic:y 

criteria (Giblin and Massaro, 1973; Lucu and Skreblin, 1981; Schmidt-Nielson, 

et al. 1977; Weisbart, 1973). In addition, data were not used if mercury was 

a component of an effluent (Wong, et al. 1982) or if the test or~anisms were 

cultured in one water and tested in another (Bringmann and Kuhn, 1982). 

Bills, ec al. (1977) and Passino and Cotant (1979) did not report any usable 

results. Jones (1935, 1938, l939b, 1947), Miller (1980, 1981), and Nuzzi 

(1972) did not report a clearly defined endpoint. 

Results of so~e laboratory tests were not used because the cesc: was 

conducted in distilled water (McKone, et al. 1971), the quality of the 

dilution wacer or medium was questionable (Brkovic-Popovic and Popovic, 

1977a,b; Career ~nd Cameron, 1973; Kirn, et al. 1977a,b; Scary and Kratzer, 

1982; Scary, ec al. 1982, 1983), or because che cesc solution or culture 

medium concained coo .-ouch EDTA which 1.1ould probably complex merc11ry 

(Gucierrez-Galindo, 1981; Knowles and Zingmark, 1978; Scracton and Corke, 

1979; St race on, ec al. 1979). 

Data concerning concentrations of mercury in wild organisms (e.~., 

Abernathy and Cumbie, 1977; Armstrong and Scott, 1979; Bodaly, ec: al. 1984; 

Copeland and Ayers, 1972; Di~ardi, et al. 1974; Flegal, et al. 1981; Helwig 

and Hora, 1983; Hildebrand, et al. 1980; Jensen, et al. 1981; Leonzio, ec al. 

1982; Marcin, et al. 1984; :-lay and McKinney, 1981; ~1icchell, et al. 1982; 

:-l:oore and Sutherland, 1980; Murray, 1978; Pennington, et al. 1982; Phillips 

and Buhler, 1980; Price and Kni~ht, 1978; Ray, ec al. 1984; Sheffy, 1978; 

Tsui and McCarc, 1981; Wachs, 1982; Watling, et al. 1981) were not used co 

19 

calculate bioaccumulacion factors if che concentrations of mercury in che 

ambient ~acer during the period of exposure was not adequately measured. 

Studies using isotopic mercury (e.~., Cunningham and Tripp, 1975; 

Glooschenko, 1969) were not used because of the possibility of isotopic 

discrimination. 

Results of bioconcencration cescs were not used if the tescs were 

conducted in distilled water, were noc long enough, were not flow-through, or 

if the concencracion of mercury in the cesc solution was nae adequacely 

measured (e.g., Cunningham and Tripp, 1973; Kim, ec al. 1977a,b; McKone, ec 

al. 1971; Medeiros, et al. 1980; Middaugh and Rose, 1974; Phillips and 

Gregory, 1980; Ribeyre, ec al. 1980; Sharma and Davis, 1980a; Scary and 

Kratzer, 1980, 1982; Scary, ec al. 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983; Vernberg and 

O'Hara, 1972). 

Summary 

Data are 3vailable on the acute tox1c1cy of mercury(II) co 28 genera of 

freshwater animals. Acute values for invertebrate species range from 2.2 

.Jg/L for Daphnia pulex to 2,000 ~g/L for three insects. Acute values for 

fishes range from 30 ~g/L for the guppy co 1,000 ~g/L for the Mozambique 

tilapia. Few daca are available for various organomercury compounds and 

mercurous nicrace, and they all appear co be 4 co 31 times more acutely toxic 

than mercury(II). 

Available chronic data indicate chat mechylmercury is che mosc 

chronically toxic of che tested mercury compounds. Tescs on mechylmercury 

with Daphnia ma~na and brook trout produced chronic values less chan 0.07 

ug/L. For Mercury(II) the chronic value obtained wich Daohnia magna was 

about 1.1 )g/L and the acure-chronic ratio was 4.5. In both a life-cycle 

20 
tesc and an early life-sca~e test on mercuric chloride wieh the fachead 

minnow, the chronic value was less than 0.26 ~g/L and che acuce-chronic racio 

was over 600. 

Freshwacer planes show a wide ran~e of sensicivicies co mercury, buc che 

mose sensicive planes appear co be less sensicive chan che most sensicive 

freshwater animals co both mercury(II) and mechylmercury. A bioconcencracion 

factor of 4,994 is available for mercury(II), but [he bioconcencracion 

faccors for mechylmercury ran~e from 4,000 co 85,000. 

Dara on che acuce coxicicy of mercuric chloride are available for 29 

~enera of saltwater animals including annelids, molluscs, crustaceans, 

~chinoderms, and fishes. Acute values range from 3.5 ~g/L for a ~ysid co 

1,678 ug/L for wincer flounder. Fishes tend co be more resiscanc and 

molluscs and crustaceans rend co be more sensitive co che acute coxic effects 

qf mercury(II). Resulcs of a life-cycle rest wich che mysid show chat 

mercury(II) at a concencracion of 1.6 ~g/L si~nificancly affected rime of 

firsr spawn and produccivicv; the resulting acute-chronic ratio was 3.1. 

Concentrations of mercury chac affected growth and phocosynthecic 

accivicy of one salcwacer diatom and six species of brown al~ae range from 10 

to 160 Jg/L. Bioconcencration factors of 10,000 and 40,000 have been 

obtained for mercuric chloride and mechylmercury wich an oyster. 

National Criteria 

Derivation of a water qualicy cr1cer1on for mercury is more complex than 

for most metals because of methylation of mercury in sediment, in fish, and 

in che food chain of fish. Apparently almost all mercury currencly being 

discharged is rnercury(II). Tilus mercury(II) should be the only important 

21 
possible cause of acute toxicity and the Criterion Maximum Concentrations can 

be based on che acute values for mercury(II}. 

The best available data concernin~ long-term exposure of fish co 

mercury(II) indicates that concentrations above 0.23 μg/L caused scaciscically si~nificant effects on the fathead minnow and caused the concentration 

of total mercury in the whole body to exceed 1.0 mg/kg. Although ic is not 

known what percent of the mercury in the fish was methylmercury, it is also 

not known whether uptake from food would increase the concentration in che 

fish in natural sicuacions. Species such as rainbow trout, coho salmon, and 

especially the bluegill, might suffer chronic effects and accumulate high 

residues of mercury about the same as the fathead minnow. 

With regard co long-cenn exposure co mechylmercury, McKim, ec al. (1976) 

found chat brook trout can exceed the FDA action level without suffering 

statistically significant adverse effects on survival, growth, or reproduction. Thus for methylmercury the Final Residue Value would be substantially 

lower than the Final Chronic Value. 

Basin~ a freshwater criterion on the Final Residue Value of 0.012 ~g/L 

derived from the bioconcentration factor of 81,700 for mechylmercury with the 

fathead minnow (Olson, et al. 1975) essentially assumes chat all discharged 

mercury is methylmercury. On the other hand, there is the possibility that 

in field situations uptake from food might add to che uptake from water. 

Similar considerations apply co the derivation of the saltwacer criterion of 

0.025 μg/L using the BCF of 40,000 obtained for methylmercury with the 

Eastern oyster (Kopfler, 1974). Because cbe Final Residue Values for mechylmercury are substantially below the Final Chronic Values for mercury(II), ic 

is probably not too important that many fishes, including the rainbow trout, 

22 

coho salmon, bluegill, and haddock might not be adequately protected by the 

freshwater and saltwater Final Chronic Values for mercury(II). 

In contrast to all the complexities of deriving numerical criteria for 

mercury, monitoring for unacceptable environmental effects should be 

relatively straightforward. The most sensitive adverse effect will probably 

be exceedence of the FDA action level. Therefore, existing discharges should 

be acceptable if the concentration of methylmercury in the edible portion of 

exposed consumed species does not exceed the FDA action level. 

The procedures described in the "Guidelines for Deriving Numerical 

National Water Quality Criteria for the Protection of Aquatic Organisms and 

Their Uses" indicate that, except possibly where a locally important species 

is very sensiGive, freshwater aquatic organisms and their uses should not be 

affected unacceptably if the four-day average concentration of mercury does 

not exceed 0.012 •Jg/L more than once every three years on the average and if 

the one-hour average concentration does not exceed 2.4 μg/L more than once 

every three years on the avera~e. If the four-day average concentration 

exceeds 0.012 μg/L more than once in a three-year period, the edible portion 

of consumed species should be analyzed to determine whether the concentration 

of mechylmercury exceeds the FDA action level. 

The procedures described in the "Guidelines for Deriving Numerical 

National Water Quality Criteria for the Protection of Aquatic Organisms and 

Their Uses" indicate that, except possibly where a locally important species 

is very sensitive, saltwater aquatic organisms and their uses should not be 

affected unacceptably if the four-day average concentration of mercury does 

nor exceed 0.025 μg/L more than once every three years on the average and if 

the one-hour average concentration does not exceed 2.1 μg/L more than once 

every three years on the average. If the four-day avera~e concentration 

23 

exceeds 0.025 ~g/L more chan once in a chree-year period, che edible portion 

of consumed species should be analyzed to determine whether che concentrac1on 

of methylmercury exceeds che FDA action level. 

EPA believes thac a measurement such as 11 ac.id-soluble 11 would provide a 

more scientifically correct basis upon which to establish criteria :or 

~etals. Tile criteria were developed on this ~asis. However, ac cais time, 

no EPA approved methods for such a measurement are available to implement the 

criteria chrou~h the regulatory oro~rams of the Agency and the Scac~s. Tile 

A~ency is considerin~ development and approval of mechods for a measurement 

such as "acid-soluble". Until available, however, EPA recommends applying 

che criteria using che total recoverable method. This has cwo impacts: (1) 

certain species of some metals cannot be analyzed directly because the total 

recoverable method does not discin~uish between individual oxidation states, 

and (2) these criteria may be overly protective when based on the total 

recoverable method. 

The recommended exceedence frequency of chree years is che Agency's best 

scientific jud!SlUent of che average amount of c1me ic will take an unstressed 

system co recover from a pollution event in which exposure to mercury exceeds 

the criterion. Stressed systems, for example, one in which several oucfalls 

occur in a limited area, would be expected co require more cime for recovery. 

The resilience of ecosyscems and their ability co recover differ greatly, 

however, and site-specific criteria may be established if adequate justification is provided. 

The use of criteria in desi~ning waste treatment facilicies requires the 

selection of an appropriate wasceload allocation ~odel. Dynamic models are 

preferred for che application of these criteria. Limited data or ocher 

factors may make their use impractical, in which case one should rely on a 

24 

sceady-scate model. Ute Agency recommends che interim use of lQ5 or lQlO for 

Cricerion Maximum Concentration (CMC) desi~n flow and 7Q5 or 7Q10 for the 

Criterion Continuous Concentration (CCC) design flow in steady-scace models 

for unstressed and stressed systems respectively. These matters are 

discussed in more detail in the Technical Support Document for Wacer QualityBased Toxics Control (U.S. EPA, 1985). 

25 
Table I. Acute Toxicity of Mercury to Aquatic Anl.als 

LC50 Species Mean 

or EC50 Acute Value 

Species Chmilcal JJ!9lll•• (l'g/L)ff Reference

FRESHWATER SPECIES 

Mercur)'.( 11) 

Tublflcld worm, R, U Mercuric 80 80 Chapman, et al. 

Branchlura sowerbt..L chloride 

Tubl flcld wor11, R, U Mercuric 180 160 Chapman, et al. 

Llmnodrllus hoffmelsterl chloride 

Tubl flcld worm, R, U Mercuric 250 250 Chapman, et al. 

Qulstadrllus 11ultlsetosus chloride 

Tub Iflcld worm, R, U Mercur le 240 240 Chapman, et al. 

Rh)'.acodr 11 us montana chloride 

Tublflcld worm, R, U Mercuric :no 330 Chapman, et al. 

Splrosperma ferox chloride 

Tubl flcld worm, R, U Mercuric 500 500 Chapman, et al. 

N Splrosperma nlkolsk)'.I chloride 

°' Tubl flcld worm, R, U Mercuric 140 140 Chapman, et al. 

St):lodrllus herlnglanus chloride 

Tublflcld worm, R, U Mercuric 140 140 Chapman, et al. 

Tubl fex tublfex chloride 

Tublflcld worm, R, U Mercuric 100 100 Chapman, et al. 

Varlchaeta paclflca ch Iorl de 

Worm, S, M Mercuric 1,000 1,000 Rehwoldt, et al

Nals sp. nitrate 

Sna 11 (embryo), S, M Mercuric 2, 100*.. - Rehwoldt, et al

sp. nitrate 

Snail (adult), S, M Mercuric 80 80 Rehwoldt, et al

Armlcola sp. nitrate 

Sna 11, s, u Mercur le 370 370 Holcombe, et al

Aplexa hypnorum chi or Ide 
Table I. (Continued) 

LC50 SpecI es MNr'I 

or EC50 Acute Value 

Species Method• Chem Ical (μg/L)H (μg/L)H Reference 

Cladoceran, s. u Mercuric <4.4* 1 *1 - Anderson, 1948 


Daphnla magna chloride 


Cladoceran, s. u Mercur le - Biesinger & 


Daphnla magna chloride Christensen, 19

Cladoceran, s. u Mercuric 3.177 - Canton &Adema, 

Daphn I a magna chi or Ide 


Cladoceran, s. u Mercur.1.c 1.476 - Canton &Adema, 

Daphnla magna chloride 


Cladoceran, s. u Mercuric 2.180 - Canton & Adema, 

Daphnla magna chloride 


Cladoceran (<6 hr old), s. u Mercuric 4.4 - Barera & Adams, 

Daphnla maqna chloride 


Cladoceran (<24 hr old), s, u Mercuric 4.4 - Barera &Adams, 

Daphnla magna chloride 


N 

....... 
 Cladoceran <1-9 day old), s. u Mercuric 5.2-14.8** 1 3.157 Barera &Adams, 

Oaphnla magna chloride 


Cladoceran, s. u Mercuric 2.217 2.217 Canton &Adema, 

Daphnla pulox chloride 


Amphlpod, S, M Mercuric 10 10 Rehwoldt, et al

Gammarus sp. nitrate 


Crayfish (male, R, M Mercur le 20 20 Helt & 

ml xed ages), chloride 1977; Helt, 198

Faxonella clypeatus 


Crayfish, S, M Mercuric 50 50 Boutet & 


Orconectes llmosus chloride Chalsemartln, 1

Mayfly, s. u Mercuric 2,000 2,000 Warnick & Bel I, 

Ephemerella subvarla chloride 


Damselfly, S, M Mercuric 1,200 1,200 Rehwoldt, et al

(Un IdentIt I ed) nitrate 

Table 1. (Continued) 

Species Method• £!!!!!!!£!!. 

LC50 

or EC50 

(l!!l/L)H 

Species Mean 

Acute Value 

(l!glL)H Reference 

Stonetly, 

Acroneurla .!.l'..corlas 

s, u Mercuric 

chlorlde 

2,000 2,000 Warnick &Bel I, 

Caddlsfly, 

Hydropsyche bettenl 

s, u Mercuric 

chloride 

2,000 2,000 Warnick &Bel I, 

Caddlstly, 

<Uni dent It led) 

S, M Mercur le 

nitrate 

1,200 1,200 Rehwoldt, et al. 

Midge, 

Ch I ronomus sp. 

S, M Mercuric 

nitrate 

20 20 Rehwoldt, et al. 

Coho salmon (juvenlle), 

Oncorhynchus klsutch 

R, M Mercur le 

chi or Ide 

240 240 Lorz, et al. 1978 

Rainbow trout (juvenlle), 

Sal mo _galrdnerl 

R, U Mercuric 

chlorlde 

155. 1 - Matlda/;et al., 

N 

00 

Rainbow trout (juvenile), 

Salmo _galrdnerl 

Rainbow trout (juvenile), 

Sa I1110 Irdner I 

FT, FT, 

U U 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

280 

220 

-

-

Macleod &Pessah

1973 

Macleod &Pessah

1973 

Ra Inbow trout, 

.9.a Irdner I 

FT, U Mercuric 

chi or Ide 

420 - Daoust, 1981 

Rainbow trout (juvenile), 

Salmo galrdnerl 

FT, M Mercuric 

chloride 

275 275 Lock & van Overb

1981 

Fathead ml nnow, 

Plmephales promelas 

FT, M Mercuric 

chi or Ide 

168 - Snarskl &Olson, 

Fathead minnow, 

Plmophales promelas 

FT, M Mercur le 

chloride 

150 158.7 Cal I, et al. 196

Mosqultotlsh (female), 

Gambusla aftlnls

--­

s, u Mercuric 

chi or Ide 

160 160 Joshi &Rega, 19

Guppy (116-157 mgl, 

Poecllla retlculata 

R, U Mercuric 

chloride 

30 - Deshmukh &Mardt

1980 
Table 1. (Continued) 

Species Chemical 

LC50 

or EC50 

(l!g/L)H 

Species Mean 

Acute Value 

C!!S£'.L)H Reference 

Guppy (362-621 mg), 

Poecll la retlculata 

R, U Mercur le 

chi or Ide 

53.5**• 30 Deshmukh &Marat

1980 

Bluegill (juvenile), 

macrochlrus 

s. u Mercuric 

chloride 

160 160 Holcombe, et al. 

Mozambique tllapla, 

Tl I mossamb Ica 

s. u Mercur le 

chlorlde 

1,000 . 1.000 Qureshi 

1980 

& Saksen

Me thy I mercury 

Ra Inbow trout ( juven I le)• R, U Methylmercurlc 

chi or Ide 

25 - Matlda, et al. 1

Rainbow trout (larva), 

Sa Imo ..s.alrdnerl 

R, U Methylmercur le 

chlorlde 

24 - Wobeser, 1973 

N 

l.O 

Rainbow trout (juvenile>, Rainbow trout (juvenile), 

R, 

FT, 

U 

M 

Methylmercurlc 

chloride 

Methylmercurlc 

chi or Ide 

42 

24 

-

24 

Wobeser, 19 73 

Lock &van Overb

1981; Lock, et a

Brook trout (juvenl le), 

Salvellnus fontlnalls 

FT, M Methylmercurlc 

chloride 

84 - McKlm, et al. 19

Brook trout (yearling), 

Salvellnus 

FT, M Methyl mercuric 

chloride 

65 73.89 McKlm, et al. 19

Other Mercury Comeounds 

Rainbow trout (juvenile), R, U Phenylmercurlc 

acetate 

5 5 Matlda, et al. 

Rainbow trout (2 mos), 

Sa Imo ..aalrdnerl 

FT, M 1-lercurous 

nitrate 

33.0 33.0 Hale, 1977 

Goldfish, Carasslus auratus 

s. u Phenylmercurlc 

lactate 

82 82 Eli ls, 1947 
Table I. (Continued) 

Species Method* Ch8111lcal 

LC50 

or EC50 

<l!slL>H 

Spec Ies Mean 

Acute Value•• 

(l!gll) Reference 

Camion carp, 

Cyprlnus carplo 

R, U 2-Methoxy ethy I 

mercuric chloride 

139 139 Das &Misra, 1962 

Fathead minnow, 

Plmephales promelas 

S, M Mercuric 

acetate 

40 40 Curtis, et al. 

Curtis &Ward, 

1

1

Fathead minnow, 

Plmephales promelas 

S, M Mercuric 

thiocyanate 

115 115 Curtis, et al. 

Curtis &Ward, 

1

1

Channel catfish (juvenlle>, 

lctalurus punctatus 

s. u Ethyl mercur le 

p-toluene 

sul fonan I I Ide 

51 51 Clemens &Sneed, 

Channel catfish (juvenile), 

lctalurus punctatus 

s, u Ethylmercurlc 

phosphate 

49 49 Clemens &Sneed, 

Channel catfish (juvenile>, 

lctalurus punctatus 

s. u Pheny lmercur le 

acetate 

1,966 1,966 Clemens & Sneed, 

1959 

Ul 

0 

Channel catfish (juvenile), 

lctalurus punctatus 

s, u Phenylmercurlc 

acetate 

26 26 Clemens & Sneed, 

1958a, 1959 

Channel catfish (juvenile), 

lctalurus punctatus 

s. u Pyrldylmercurlc 

acetate 

<176 - Clemens &Sneed, 

1956b 

Channel catfish (juvenile), 

lctalurus punctatus 

s. u Pyr I dy I mercur I c 

acetate 

224 - Clemens & Sneed, 

1958b 

Channel catfish (juvenile), 

lctalurus punctatus 

s. u Pyrldylmercurlc 

acetate 

<153 <162 Clemens & Sneed, 

1956b 

Mosqultotlsh (female), 

Gambusla af f lnls 

s, u Methoxy ethyl 

mercuric chlorlde 

910 910 Joshi &Rega, 19

Mosqultoflsh (female), 

Gambusla attlnls 

s. u Phenylmercur le 

acetate 

31 31 Joshi &Rage, 19

Mosqultoflsh (female), 

Gambusla aftlnls 

s. u Pheny lmercur le 

acetate (Ceresan) 

44 44 Joshi & Rage, 19
Tobie 1. (Continued) 

Species .!!!!!!22.* Chemlc11I 

LC50 

er EC50 

(pg/L)H 

Species Mean Acute VolueH 

(μg/l) Reference 

SALTWATER SPECIES 

11) 

Polychaete 1«>rm (adult), 

Noanthes arenaceodenta!!, 

s. u Mercur le 

ch lor Ide 

96 - Relsh, et al. 197

.Polychaete 1«>rm (juvenile>, 

Neanthes arenaceodentata 

s. u Mercuric 

chloride 

100 97.98 Relsh, et al. 197

Sand worm (adult), 

Nerels vireos

-----­

s. u Mercur le 

chloride 

70 70 Eisler &Henneke

1977 

Pol ychaete worm (I arva) , 

Capltella capltata 

s, u Mercuric 

chloride 

14 14 Relsh, et al. 19

01 lgochaete worm, 

Llmnodrlloldes verrucosus 

R, U Mercuric 

chloride 

120 120 Chapman, et al. 

w 

..... 

Ollgochaete worm, 

Monopylephorus cutlculatus 

R, U Mercur le 

chloride 

230 230 Chapman, et a I. 

Ollgochaete worm, 

Tublflcoldes gabrlellae 

R, U Mercur le 

chloride 

98 98 Chapman, et al. 

Northern horse mussel, 

Modlolus modlolus 

S, M Mercuric 

chloride 

230 230 Hllmy, et al. 198

Blue mussel, 

Myt I I us edu I I s 

s. u Mercuric 

ch lor Ide 

5.8 5.8 Martin, et al. 1

Bay scallop (juvenile), 

lrradlans 

s, u Mercur le 

ch lor Ide 

89 89 Nelson, et al. 1

Pac If le oyster, 

Crassostrea 

s. u Mercuric 

chloride 

6.7 - Martin, et al. 1

Pac If le oyster, Crassostrea S, M Mercuric chloride 5.7 - G11 ckstel n, 1978 

Pacific oyster, 

Crassostrea 

S, M Mercuric 

nitrate 

5.5 5.944 GI lcksteln. 1978 
Table 1. (Continued) 

Species Method• Ch-I cal 

LC50 

or EC50 

(l!g/L)H 

Species Mean 

Acute Value 

<l!glL)H Reference 

Eastern oyster, 

Crassostrea. vlrglnlca 

s, u Mercuric 

chlorlde 

5.6 - Calabrese & Ne

Calabrese, et a

Eastern oyster, 

Crassostrea ..ti£91nlccs 

s, u Mer cur le 

chi or Ide 

10.2 7.558 Macinnes & Cala

1978 

Conmon ranglcs (csdult), 

Rangla cunecstcs 

s, u Mercuric 

chlorlde 

10,000 

- Olson 

&Harrel, 

Common ranglcs (csdult), 

Rangla cuneata 

s, u Mercuric 

chloride 

8,700 - Olson 

&Harrel, 

Common rangla (adult), 

cuneata 

S, M Mercuric 

chloride 

58 - DI I Ion, 1977 

Common rangla (adult), 

Rangla cuneata 

S, M Mercuric 

chloride 

122 ••••• DI I Ion, 1977 

w 

N 

Quahog cl cwn, 

Mercenarla mercenarla 

Soft-shell clan (adult), 

Mya arenarla 

s, u s, u 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chi or Ide 

4.8 

400 

4.8 

400 

Calabrese 

&Ne

Calabrese, et a

Eisler 

&Hennek

1977 

Copepod, 

Pseudodlaptomus coronatus 

s, u Mercur re 

chloride 

79 79 Gentl le, 1982 

Copepod, 

Eurytemora afflnls 

s, u Mercur le 

chlorlde 

158 158 Gent I le, 1982 

Copepod, 

Acartla clausl 

s, u Mercur le 

chloride 

10 10 Gentile, 1982 

Copepod (adult), 

Acartla tonsa 

s, u Mercuric 

chloride 

10 - Sosnowski 

1978 

&Ge

Copepod (adult), 

Acartla tonsa 

s, u Mer cur le 

chi or Ide 

14 - Sosnowski 

1978 

&Ge

Copepod (adult), 

Acartla tonsa 

s, u Mercuric 

chloride 

15 - Sosnowski 

1978 

& Ge
Table 1. (Continued) 

Species Method* Ch&111lcal 

LC50 

or EC50 

'l!!llll" 

Species Mean 

Acute Value 

-1l!g/L)H Reference 

Copepod (adult), 

Acartla tonsa 

s, u Mercuric 

chlorlde 

20 14. 32 Gent lie, 1982 

Copepod, s, u Mercuric 

chlorlde 

230 230 Bengtsson, 1978 

Mys Id, 

Mysldopsls bahla 

FT, M Mercuric 

chloride 

3.5 3.5 Gentile, et al. 1

1983; Lussier, et 

Manuscript 

White shrimp (adult), 

Penaeus setlferus 

S, U Mercuric 

chloride 

17 17 Green, et al. 197

American lobster (larva), 

Homarus amerlcanus 

s, u Mercur le 

chlorlde 

20 20 Johnson &Gent 11 e

1979 

Hermit crab (adult), 

Pagurus 

s, u Mercuric 

chloride 

50 50 Eisler &Hennekey

1977 

w 

w 

Oungeness crab (larva), Cancer maglster 

s, u Mercuric 

chi or Ide 

8.2 - Martin, et al. 19

Oungeness crab (larva>, Cancer ster 

S, M Mercuric 

chloride 

6.6 7 • .357 Gllcksteln, 1978 

Green crab (larva), 

Carclnus maenas 

s, u Mercuric 

chi or Ide 

14 14 Connor, 1972 

Starfish (adult), 

Aster Ias torbes I 

s, u Mercuric 

chloride 

60 60 Eisler &Hennekey

1977 

Haddock (larva), 

Melanogrammus Inus 

s, u Mercuric 

chloride 

98 98 Cardin, 1982 

M1.111mlchog, 

Fundulus heteroclltus 

S, U Mercuric 

chloride 

.300 - Dorfman, 1977 

M1.111mlchog, 

Fundulus heteroclltus 

s, u Mercuric 

chloride 

200 - Dorfman, 1977 

Mummlchog, 

Fundulus heteroclltus 

s, u Mercur le 

chloride 

300 - Dorfman, 1977 
Table 1. (Continued) 

LC50 Species MINMI 

or EC50 Acute Value 

Species Ch-I cal (1!9/L)H (l!g/L)H Reference

Mllllmlchog, s, u Mercuric 300 - Dorfman, 1977 

Fundulus heteroclltus ch lorl de 

Mummlchog (adult), s. u Mercuric 800 - Eisler 

&Henneke

Fundulus heteroclltus chlorlde 1977 

Mllllmlchog (adult), s. u Murcur le 2,000 ••••• Klaunlg, et al. 

Fundulus heteroclltus chi or Ide 

Mummlchog (embryo), S, M Mercuric 67.4 67.4 Sharp 

&Nett, 19

Fundulus heteroclltus chloride 

Atlantic sllverslde s. u Mercuric 144 - Card In, 1982 

(larva), chloride 

Menldla menldla 

Atlantic sllverslde s. u Mercur le 125 

- Cardin, 1982 

<larva), chloride 

Menldla menldla 

w Atlantic sllverslde s. u Mercuric 86 115. 7 Cardin, 1982 

(juven 11 e), chloride 


Menldla menldla 


Tidewater sllverslde s. u Mercur le 71 71 Hansen, 1983 

( j uven 11 e) , chloride 

Menldla penlnsulae 

Foursplne stickleback s, u Marcur le 315 315 Cardin, 1982 

(adult>, chlorlde 

Apeltes quadracus 

Spot (juvenl le), s. u Mercur le 36 36 Hansen, 1983 

Lelostomus xanthurus chi or Ide 

Winter flounder (larva), s. u Mercuric 1,820 - Cardin, 1982 

Pseudopleuronectes chloride 

amerlcanus 

Winter flounder (larva), s, u Mercuric 1,560 - Card In, 1982 

Pseudopleuronectes chloride 

amerlcanus 
Table 1. (Continued) 

Species Method* Ch-I cal 

LC50 

or EC50 

(l!g/L)H 

Spec I es Mean 

Acute Value 

ll!g/L>" Reference 

Winter flounder (larva>, 

Pseudopleuronectes amerlcanus 

s, u Mercuric 

chlorlde 

1,810 - Cardin, 1982 

Winter flounder (larva), 

Pseudopleuronectes 

s, u Mercur le 

chi or Ide 

1,320 - Cardin, 19tl2 

Winter flounder (larva>, 

Pseudopleuronectes 

amerlcanus 

s, u Mercuric 

chlorlde 

1,960 I,ti78 Cardin, 1982 

Methylmercury 

Amphlpod (adult), 

Gamma_!!!! duebeo I 

s, u Methylmercurlc 

chlorlde 

150 150 Lockwood & Inma

1975 

w 

VI 

Mullllllchog (embryo), 

Fundulus heteroclltus 

S, M Methyl mercuric 

ch lorlde 

51.1 51.1 Sharp &Neff, 1

Other Mercury 

Grass shrimp (adult), 

Palaemonetes 

S, M Mercuric 

acetate 

47 47 Curtis, et al. 

Curtis &Ward, 

Grass shrimp (adult>, 

Pa laemonetes 

S, M Mercuric 

thiocyanate 

76 76 Curtis, et al. 

Curtis &Ward, 

Mullllllchog, 

Fundulus heteroclltus 

s, u Marcurous 

sulfate 

6,800 - Dorfman, 1977 

Mummlchog, 

Fundulus heteroclltus 

s, u Mercurous 

sulfate 

300 ••••• Dorfman, 1977 

* 

** 

s "' static, 

Results are 

R =renewal, FT= flow-through, U =unmeasured, M=measured. 

as mercury, not as the chemlcal • 

••• Not used In calculation of Species Mean Acute Value because data are available for a more sensitive llf

•••• "Less than" values were not used In calculatlons. 

*****No Species Mean Acute Value calculated because acute values are too divergent tor this species. 
Table 2. Chronic Toxicity of Mercury to Aquatic Anl1111ls 

Species 

Cladoceran, 

Daphnla magna 

Cladoceran, 

Daphnla magna 

Fathead minnow, 

Plmephales promelas 

Fathead minnow, 

Plmephales promelas 

Cladoceran, 

Daphnla magna 

(J.J Cladoceran, 

Daphnla magna "' 

Brook trout, 

Salvellnus fontlnalls 

Cladoceran, 

Daphnla magna 

Mys Id, 

Mysldopsls 

Test• 

LC*** 

LC11111111 LC 

ELS LC11111 

LClllH 

LC 

LC* 111111 

LC 

Ll•lts 

Ch-Ical (J!gll>** 

FRESHWATER SPECIES 

Mercury< 11) 

Mercuric O. 72-1.28 

chloride 

Mercuric 0.91-1.82 

chloride 

Mercuric <0.26111111111 

chloride 

Mercuric <0.23111111111 

chlor Ide 

Methy I mercury 

Methylmercurlc <0.041111111111 

chloride 

Methylmercurlc 0.52-0.67 

chloride 

Methylmercurlc 0.29-0.93 chloride 

Other Mercury Compounds 

Phenylmercurlc 1.12-1.90 

acetate 

SALTWATER SPECIES 

Mercur.Y.!.!.!l. 

Mercur le 0.8-1.6 

chloride 

Chronic Value 

(pg/L)** 

0.96 

1.287 

<0.26 

<0.23 <0.04 

0.6726 0.5193 

1.459 

1.131 

Reterence 

Biesinger, et di. 

1982 

Biesinger, et di. 

1982 

Snarskl & Olson, 

1982 

Cal I, et al. 1983 

Biesinger, et al. 

1982 

Biesinger, et al. 

1982 

Md<lm, et al. 

1976. 

Biesinger, et di. 

1982 

Gentile, et al. 

1982, 1983; 

Lussier, et al. 

Manuscript 
Table 2. (Continued) 

* LC z llte cycle or partial llfe cycle, ELS= early llfe stage. 

** Results are expressed as mercury, not as the chemical. 

*** Flow-through 

  Renewal 

•••••Adverse effects occurred at this concentration, which was the lowest concentration tested. 

Acute-Chronic Ratio 

Acute Value Qironlc Value 

Species (μg/l) <1!9/L> .!!!!.!!!. 

Mercurtl!..!l_ 

w 	 Cladoceran, 5 0.96 5.208 

Daphnla magna " 

Cladoceran, 5 1.287 3.885 

Daphnla magna 

Fathead minnow, 168 <0.26 >646.2 

Plmephales promelas 

Fathead m I nnow, 150 <0.23 >652.2 

Plmephales promelas 

Mys Id, 3.5 1.131 3.095 

Mysldopsls bahla 

Methylmercury 

Brook trout 73.89t 0.5193 142.3 

Salvellnus fontlnalls 

t Geometric mean of 2 values from McKlm, et al. (1976) In Table I. 
Table 3. Ranked Genus Mean Acute Values with Species Mean Acute-Chronic Ratios 

28 

27 26 25 24 

\...> 23

o:> 

22 

21 20 

19 

18 

17 

G.JRUS Mean 


Acute Value 


CJ!glL> 


2,000 

2,000 2,000 

1,200 

1,200 

1,000 1,000 

406.2 

370 

275 

250 240 

Species 

Spee I es Mean 

Acute Value 

(pg/L) 

Specl85 Mean 

Acute-Chron I c 

Ratio 

FRESHWATER SPECIES 

Mercury (I I ) 

Stonef I y, 

Acroneurla lycorlas 

2,000 

Mayfly, Ephemeral la subvarla 2,000 

Caddlsfly, 

Hydropsyche bettenl 

2,000 

Caddl st I y, 

<Unidentified) 

1,200 

Damselfly, 

(Un Ident It I ed) 

1,200 

Worm, 

Nals sp. 

1,000 

Mozambique tllapla, 

Tllapla mossamblca 

1,000 

Tubl tlcld worm, 

Splrosperma fer0>< 

:no 

Tublflcld worm, 

Splrospenna nlkolskyl 

500 

Sncsll, 

Aplexa hypnorum 

370 

Rainbow trout, 275 

Tub I flcld worm, 

Qulstadrllus multlsetosus 

250 

Tublflcld worm, 

Rhyacodrllus montana 

240 
Table l. 

16 

15 

14 

13 

12 

It 

10 

w 

'° 9 

8 

7 

6 

5 

4 

3 

(Continued) 

Genus Mean 

Acute Value 

lJ!slL> 

240 

180 

180 

160 

158.7 

140 140 

100 

80 80 

50 

30 

20 

20 

Species 


Coho sa IlllOO. 


Oncorhynchus klsutch 


Tubltlcld worm, 


Llmnodrllus hottmelsterl 


Mosqu Itot Ish, 


Gambusla attlnls 


l:!luegl 11, 


macrochlrus 


Fathead 111lnnow, 


Plmephales promelas 


Tubltlcld worm, 


Tublfex tublfex 


TubIt le Id worm, 


Stylodrllus herlnylanus 


Tubl t I c Id wona, 


Varlchaeta paclflca 


Tubltlcld worm, 


Branchlura sowerbyl 


Snal I, 


Amnlcola sp. 


Crayfish, 


Orconectes llmosus 


Guppy, 


Poecllla retlculata 


Crayfish, 


Faxonella clypeatus 
Midge, 


Chlronomus sp. 


Species Mean 

Acute Value 

Species Mean 

Acute-Chronic 

(J!9/L) Ratio 

240 

180 

tao 

160 

158.7 >649.2•• 

140 

140 100 

80 80 

50 

30 

20 

20 
Table 3. 

2 

29 

.p.. 28 

0 

27 26 

25 

24 

23 

22 

(Continued) 

Genus Mean 

Acute Value 

( 1!9/L) 

10 

2.646 

1,678 

400 

315 

230 

230 

230 

158 

120 

Species 

Amphlpod, 

Gammarus sp. 

Cladoceran, 

Daphnla magna 

Cladoceran, 

Daphnla pulex 

SALTWATER SPECIES 

Mercury< I I) 

Winter flounder, 

Pseudopleuronectes 

amerlcanus 

Sott-shel I clam, 

arenarla 

foursplne stickleback, 

Apeltes quadracus 

Northern horse mussel, 

Modlolus modlolus 

Copepod, 

Nltocra splnlpes 

Ollgochaete wor•, 

Monophf lephorus cutlcu atus 

Copepod, 

Euryte111ora attlnls 

Ollgochaete worm, 

LI JAnodr I I ol des 

verrucosus 

Species Mean 

Acute Value 

_J...l!S/L> 

10 

3.157 

2.211 

Species Mean 

Acute-Chronic 

Ratio 

4.498**  

1,678 

400 

315 

230 

230 

230 

158 

120 
------

Table l. 

Rank• 

21 

20 

19 

18 

17 

16 

..... 

15 

14 

13 

12 

II 

10 

9 

(Continued) 

Genus Mean 

Acute Value 

(1!9/U 

98 98 

97.98 90.63 

89 

79 

70 

67 .4 

60 

50 

36 

20 

17 

Species Mean 


Acute-Chronic 


Species Ratio


Ollgochaete worm, 

Tubltlcoldes gabrlellae 

Haddock, 

Melanogra111111us aegletlnus 

Polychaete worm, 

Neanthes arenaceodentata 

Atlantic sllverslde, 

Menldla menldla 

Tidewater sllverslde, 

Menldla penlnsulae 

Bay seal lop, 

Argopecten lrradlans 

Copepod, 

Pseudodlapt0111us coronatus 

Sand worm, 70 

Nerels vireos 

Mummlchog, 67.4 

Fundulus heteroclltus 

Start Ish, 60 

Arterlas torbesl 

Herml t crab, 50 

Pagurus longlcarpus 

Spot, 36 

Lelostaaus xanthurus 

American lobster, 20 

Homarus amerlcanus 

White shrimp, 17 

Penaeus setiterus 

Species Mean 


Acute Value 


--1.!g/L) 

98 98 

97.98 

115.7 

71 

89 

79 
Table 3. 	 <Continued) 

Genus Mean 

Acute Value 

<1!9£L> Species 

8 14 	 Green crab, 

Carclnus maenas 

7 14 	 Polychdete worm, 

Capltella capltata 

6 	 11.97 Copepod, 

Acartla clausl 

Copepod, 

Acdrtla tonsa 

5 	 7.357 Dungeness crab, 

Cancer star 

4 	 6.703 Paci fie oyster, 

Crassostrea 

Eastern oyster, .i:- Crassostrea .ti.!:9.lnlca N 

3 	 5.8 Blue mussel, 

edulls 

2 	 4.8 Quahog clam, 

Mercenarla mercenarla 

3.5 	 Mys Id, Mysldopsls bahla 

* Ranked from most resistant to most sensitive based 

**Geometric 1nedn of two values In Table 2. 

Species Mean Spec Ies Mean 
 Acute Value Acute-Chronic 


<e9£L> Ratio 

14 

14 


10 


14.32 

7.357 

5.944 

7.558 

5.a 

4.8 

3.5 3.095 

on Genus Mean Acute Value. 
Table 3. (Continued) 

Mercury( II) 

Final Acute-Chronic Ratio= 3.731 (see text> 

Fresh water 

Final Acute Value= 4.857 

Criterion maximum concentration= (4.857 I 2 = 2.428 

Fina I Chronic Value= C4.H57 I 3.731 = 1.302 

Salt 	water 

Final Acute Value= 4.125 

Criterion maximum concentration= (4.125 I 2 = 2.062 μg/L 

Final Chronic Value= (4.125 I 3.731 = 1.106 

w 
Table 4. Toxicity of Mercury to Aquatic Plants 

Species 


Alga, 


Chlorella vulgarls 


Alga, 


Chlorella vulgarls 


Alga, 


Chlorella vulgarls 


Alga, 


Chlorella vulgarls 


Alga, 


Anabaena t Ios-aquae 


Blue alga, "" Mlcrocystls aeruglnosa "" 

Green alga,
 Scenedesmus quadrlcauda 


Alga, 


Selenastrum caprlcornutum 


Eurasian waterml lfoll, 


Myrlophyl lum splcatum 


Alga, 
Anabaena flos-aquae 


Alga,
 Chlorella vulgarls 


Ch-Ical 

Mercuric 

chi or Ide 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercur le 

chloride 

Mercur le 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Methylraercurlc 

chi or Ide 

Methyl mercuric chi or Ide 

!.!!E. 

FRESHWATER SPECIES 

Mercury ( I I > 


3}-day EC50 

Ccel I division 

Inhibition). 

LC50 

LC50 

15-day EC50 (growth) 

EC50 (growth) 

8-day Incipient 

Inhibition 

8-day Incipient 

Inhibition 

Inh lblted 

growth 

32-day EC50 

Croot weight) 

Methyl mercury 

EC50 (growth) 

15-day EC50 (growth) 

Result 

(pg/l)• 

1,030 

100-1,000 

148-296 


44}-592 


53 


5 


70 


59 


3,400 


6.0 

0.8-4.0 

Reference 

Rosko & Rachi In, 

1977 


Glpps & Biro, 1978 


Ral, 1979; Ral, et a

1981 


Ral, et al. 1981 


. Thomas & Montes, 1978 

Brlngiaann, 1975; Brln

Kuhn, 1976, 1978a,b 


Brlngmann, 1975; Brln

Kuhn, 1976, 1978a,b, 

1980b 


Slooff, et al. 1983 
Stanley, 1974 


Tholnas & Montes, 1978 

Ral, et al. 1981 

Table 4. (Continued) 

Species Chemlcal !.!!!£! 

Other Mercurx 

Result 

(11g/L>• Reference 

Alga, 

Anabaena tlos-aquae 

Phenyl mercuric 

acetate 

EC50 (growth) 2.8 Thonias &Montes, 1978 

SALTWATER SPECIES 

Mercur:t.!.!..!1.. 

Alga, 

Thalassloslra aestevalls 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Reduced 

chlorophyl I a 

10 Hol 11 baugh, 

1980 

et al. 

"" Vl 

Seaweed, 

Diatom, Dltxtum brlghtwellll 

Seaweed, 

Fucus serratus 

Seaweed, 

Fucus splralls 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

10-day EC50 

(growth) 

5-day EC50 

(growth) 

10-day EC50 

<growth> 

10-day EC50 

(growth) 

100 

10 

160 

80 

Strangren, 1980 

Cantertord & 

Ccsntertord, 1980 

Stromgren, 1980 

Strangren, 1980 

Seaweed, 

Fucus veslculosus 

Mercur le 

chloride 

10-day EC50 

(growth) 

45 Strangren, 1980 

Giant kelp, 

Macrocxstls 

Seaweed, 

Pelvetla canallculata 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercur le 

chloride 

4-day EC50 (growth) 

10-day EC50 (growth) 

50 

130 

Clendennlng &North, 1959 

Strangren, 1980 

• Results are expressed as mercury, not as the chemical. 
Table 5. Bloaccumulatlon of Mercury by Aquatic OrganlSllS 

Species Tissue Ch•lcal 

Duration Bloconcentratlon 

Factor• Reference 

FRESHWATER SPECIES 

11 l 

Rainbow trout, 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Whole body Mercuric chlorlde 60 1,600 Boudou &Rlb

Fathead minnow, 

Plmephales promelas 

Whole body MtJrcurlc chlorlde 287 4,994.. Snarskl &Ol

Ra In bow trout, 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Whole body Methyl111ercur le 

chi or Ide 

60 11,000 Boudou &Rlb

Rainbow trout, 

Sa Imo _galrdnerl 

Whole body Methylmercurlc 

chloride 

75 85,700 NI lml 

1984 

& Low

"" Q\ 

Brook trout, 

Salvellnus tontlnalls 

Brook trout, 

Salvellnus tontlnalls 

Muscle 

Whole body 

Methylmercurlc 

chlorlde 

Methyl mercuric 

chloride 

2n 

273 

11,00C>­

:n,ooo 

10,00C>­

23,000 

Mc:Klm, 

Md<lm, 

et alet al

Brook trout, 

tontlnal Is 

Muscle and 

whole body 

Methy lmercur le 

chloride 

756 12,000 Mc:Klm, et al

Fathead minnow, 

Plmephales promelas 

Whole body Methylmercurlc 

chloride 

3}6 44,13(}­

81,670 

Olson, et al

SALTWATER SPECIES 

Mercur:r:<I I) 

Eastern oyster (adult), 

Crassostrea vlrglnlca 

Soft parts Mercuric chlorlde 74 10,000 Kop t I er, 19 7

American lobster (adult),

Hornarus amerlcanus 

Tai I lllJScle Mercuric chlorlde 30 129 Thurbery, et 
Table 5. (Continued) 

Duratloa Bloconcentratlon 

Species Ch-Ical (days> Factor• Reference !.!.!!!!! 

Methyl mercury 

Eastern oyster (adult>, Soft parts Methylmercurlc 74 40,000 Kopfler, 1974 

Crassostrea chlorlde 

Other Mercury Compounds 

Eastern oyster (adult), Soft parts Phenylmercurlc 74 40,000 Kopfler, 1974 

Crassostrea vlrglnlca chlorlde 

* Results are based on 1118f"cury, not the ch&111lcal. 


**From concentrations that caused adverse effects In a llfe-cycle test. 


MaxllllUlll Permlsslble Tissue Concentration 

Concentration

...., ""' Consu..,. Action Level or Effect (11!1/kQ) Reference 

Man Action level for edlble 1.0 U.S. FDA, 1984a,b 

fish or shellflsh 

Mink, 

Mustela vlson 

Hlstologlcal 

of Injury 

evidence <l. 1 Wobeser, 1976a,b 

Brook trout, Death ( 700 days> 5-7 McKlm, et al. 1976 

Salvellnus fontlnalls 

Methylmercury 

Freshwater Flnal Residue Value= (1.0 mg/kg) I 81,700 =0.000012 mg/kg= 0.012 μg/L (see text) 

Saltwater Fina I Residue Value= (1.0 mg/kg) I 40,000 = 0.000025 mg/kg= 0.025 μg/L 

Mercury< I I) 

Freshwater Final Residue Value= Cl.O mg/kg) I 4,994 =0.00020 mg/kg = 0.20 μg/L (see text) 

Saltwater Final Residue Value= Cl.O mg/kg) I 10,000 = 0.00010 mg/kg= 0.10 μg/L (see tE»<t) 
--- Species 


Alga, 


(Spring assemblages, 


predomlnantely diatoms) 


Alga, 


Anklstrodesmus braunll 
Alqa, 
Anklstrodesmus braunll 


Alga, 
Anklstrodesmus sp. 


Alga, 


Synedra ulna 


Green alga, """ 00 Scenedesmus quadrlcaudaGreen alga, 


Scenedesmus quadrlcauda 


Bacteria, 
Escher I chi a col I 


Bacteria, 


Escher I chi a col I 


Bacteria, 


Pseudomonas putlda 


Protozoan, 


Entoslphon sulcatum 


Protozoan, 


Chi lomonas paramecium 


Protozoan, 


Uronema parducz I 


Table 6. Other Data on Effects of Mercury on Aquatic OrganlSllS 

Ch...lcal Duration Effect 

FRESHWATER SPECIES 

Mercury< 11 ) 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

cyanide 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

cyanide 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

ch Ioride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

2 hrs 

168-240 hrs 


24 days 


10 days 


o.29 days 


96 hrs 


96 hrs 


16 hrs 

72 hrs 

48 hrs 

20 hrs 

EC50 (reduced 

photosynthesis> 

EC50 (Inhibited 

llpld blosynthesls) 

Inhibited growth 

More toxic at pH = 

5 than pH= 7 

BCF=29,000 

Incipient 

Inhibition 

Incipient 

Inhibition 

Incipient 

Inhibition 

Incipient 

Inhibition 

Incipient 

Inhibition 

Incipient 

Inhibition 

Incipient Inhibition Incipient 

Inhibition 

Result 

hg/u• 

80 

2,590 

74 

5 

30•• 

150.. 

200 200 

10 

18 

15 

67 

Reterence 

Bllnn, et al. 1

Matson, et al. 

Trevors, 1982 

Baker, et al. 1

Fujita &Hashlzu

1972 

Brl ngmann & KuhBri ngmann & Kuh

Brl ngmann & Kuh

Bri ngmann & Kuh

Bri ngmann & Kuh

1976, 1977a, 19

Bringmann, 1978

& Kuhn, 1979, 1

Brl ngmann, et a

Brlngmann &Kuh

Brl ngmann & Kuh

1981 
Table 6. (Continued) 

Species 

Protozoan, 
Mlcroregma heterostana 


Protozoan, 


Mlcroregma heterostOlllCll 


Hydra, 


Hydra ol lgactl s 


Planarlan, 


Dugesla lugubrls 


Tubl tlcld worm, 


Tubltex tubltex 


Sna 11, 


Lymnaea staqnalla 


Musse I, 


Margarltltera margarltltera 


"" Cladoceran, '° DI aphanosoma 

Cladoceran, 


Daphnla galeata mendotae 


Cladoceran, 


Daphnla magna 


Cladoceran, 


Oaphnla magna 


Cladoceran, 


Daphnla magna 


.Cladoceran, 


Daphnla magna 


Cladoceran, 


Bosmlna longlrostrls 


Ch-I cal 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

Mercuric 

cyanide 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

nitrate 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

cyanide 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

Duration 

28 hrs 

28 hrs 

48 hrs 

48 hrs 48 hrs 48 hrs 

39 days 

3 wks 

3 wks 

3 wks 

48 hrs 

48 hrs 

24 hrs 

3 wks 

!.!!!£.! 

Incl pl ent 

Inhibition 

Incipient 

Inhibition 

LC50 

LC50 

LC50 

LC50 

BCF,.302 

Reduced population 

density 

Reduced populatlon 

density 

Reproductive 

lmpal rment 

EC50 

EC50 LC50 

Reduced populatlon 

density 

Result 

(119/L>• 

150 

160 

56 

55 

3,200 

443 

2.8 

2.2 

3.4 

30** 

20** 

13 

2.8 

Reference 

Brl ngmann & Kuhn

Brlngmann & Kuh

Sloott, 1983; S

et al. 1983 

Sloott, 1983 

Qureshi, et al. 

Sloott, 1983; S

et al. 1983 

Mel II nger, 1973 

Marshal I, et al

1981 

Marshal I, et al

1981 

Biesinger & 

Christensen, 19

Brl ngmann & Kuh

Brlngmann &KuhBrlngmann & Kuh

Marshall, et al

1981 
Table 6. (Continued) 

Species Ch•lcal Duration Effect 

Result 

..!!!9Lll* Reference 

Natural copepod 

assemblages 

Mercuric 

chi or Ide 

7 days Reduced growth 

rate 

26.3 Borgmann, 1960 

Amphlpod, 

sp. 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

7 days BCF=2,500 - Zubarlk &O'Conn

1978 

Amphlpod, 

Ga11111arus s p. 

Mercur le 

nitrate 

7 days l:lCF=2,500 - Zubarlk &O'Con

1978 

Crayfish (male, mixed ages), 

..£!.:tl!.eatus 

Mercur le 

chloride 

72 hrs LC50. 200 Helt &Fingerman

1977 

Crayfish (0.2 g), 

Faxonel la clypeatus 

Mercur le 

chlorlde 

24 hrs LC50 1,000 Helt &Fingerman

1977 

Crayfish (1.2 g), 

faxonella clypeatus 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

672 hrs LC50 1,000 Helt &Fingerman

1977 

\.n 

0 

Crayfish (adult), 

Orconectes llmosus 

Crayfish (juvenlle), 

11 mosus 

Mercur le 

chlorlde 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

96 hrs 

30 days 

LC60 

LC50 (unfed) 

740 

2 

Doyle, et al. 19

Boutet & 

Chalsemartln, 19

Crayfish (juvenlle), 

Orconectes llmosus 

Mercuric 

chloride 

30 days LC50 (fed) <2 Boutet & 

Cha I semart In, 19

Crayfish (male, mixed ages>, 

Procambarus clarkl 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

72 hrs LC50 200 Helt &Fingerman

1977 

Freshwater community 

(primary producers, 

herbivores and 

carnivorous midges) 

Mercuric 

chi or Ide 

I yr Reduced algal standing 

stock and diversity; 

no evidence of effects 

on 111ldges 

o. 1 Sigmon, et al. 

Mosquito, 

Aedes aem.!l 

Mercuric 

chloride 

46 hrs LC50 4,100 Slootf, et al. 

Mosquito, Mercuric 

chlorlde 

48 hrs LC50 776 Slooff, et al. 
Table 6. (Continued) 

Species Ch•tcal Duration .ll!!.tt 

Result 

..!.1!9l!:.!• Reference 

Pink salmon (embryo), 

Oncorhynchus gorbuscha 

Mercuric 

sulfate 

2 days <time 

from fertlllzatlon to hatch 

EC32 to EC81 

(deformity) 

5.2 Servlzl &Marte

1978 

PI nk sa Imon <pre-eyed anbryo> • Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Mercuric sulfate 2 days <time from fert 111 zatlon to stage LClOO 8.5 Servlzl 1978 &Mdrte

Pink salmon (larva), 

Oncorhynchus gorbuscha 

Mercuric 

sulfate 

168 hrs LC50 140 Servlzl 

1978 

&Marte

Sockeye salmon (embryo), 

Oncorhynchus nerka 

Mercuric 

sulfate 

2 days <time 

from fertlllzatlon to hatch 

EC45.6 4.3 Servlzl 

1978 

&Marte

Sockeye salmon 

(pre-eyed embryo), 

Oncorhynchus 

Mercuric 

sulfate 

2 day-s <time 

from fert 11 Izat Ion to stage 

LCIOO 9.3 Servlzl 

1978 

&Marte

\JI 

...... 

Sockeye salmon <larva>, 

Oncorhynchus nerka 

.Sockeye salmon (juvenlle), 

Oncorhynchus nerka 

Mercur le 

su I fate 

Mercuric 

sulfate 

168 hrs 

168 hrs 

LC50 LC50 

290 

190 

Servlzl 

1978 

Servlzl 

1978 

&Marte

&Marte

Rainbow trout (juvenlle), 

Sa Imo galrdnerl 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

24 hrs LC50 903 Wobeser, 1973 

Rainbow trout (juvenlle), 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

2 hrs Depressed olfactory 

bulber response 

74 Hara, et al. 19

Rainbow trout (juvenlle), 

Sa Imo _9.alrdnerl 

Mercuric 

chloride 

- Growth Inhibition 2.1-21 Matlda, et al. 

· Ra Inbow trout. 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Mer cur le 

chlorlde 

l wk Effected osmoregulatlon 100 Lock, et al. 19

Rainbow trout, 

Sa Imo _galrdnerl 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

80 min Avoidance 

threshold 

0.2 Black &Birge, 

Rainbow trout (embryo, 

Salmo galrdnerl 

larva>, Mercur le 

chloride 

28 days EC50 (death and 

deformity) 

4.7 

5.0 

Birge, 1980 et al. 1
Table 6. (Continued) 

Ch-Ical Duration Effect 

Result 

.1J!9l,L)• Reference 

Rainbow trout (embryo, larva), 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Mercur le 

chlorlde 

28 days EC50 (death and deformity) <O.I Birge, 1980 et al. 19

Halnbow trout (embryo, larva), 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

28 days ECIO (death and 

deformity) 

0.9 Birge, et al. 19

Rainbow trout, 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Mercur le 

chi or Ide 

5, 18 mo Substantlal 

lllOl'"tal lty 

0.12-0.24 Birge, et al. 19

Rainbow trout, 

Sa Imo _ga Irdner I 

Mercur le 

chlorlde 

48 hrs LC50 480 Slooff, et al. 1

Goldflsh (embryo, larva), Carasslus auratus 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

7 days EC50 (death and 

deformity> 

121.9 Birge, 1978; Bir

et al. 1979 

Goldfish (embryo, larva), Carasslus auratus Mercuric chi or Ide 7 days EC50 (death and deformity) 0.1 Birge, 1978; Bir

et al. 1979 

\.JI 

N 

Common carp, 

Cyprlnus carplo 

Fathead minnow, 

Plmephales promelas 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

60-72 hrs 

48 hrs 

Reduced hatch Ing 

success 

LC50 

?),000 

37 

Huckabee &Griff

1974 

Slooff, et al. 1

White sucker (adult), 

Catostomus commersonl 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

36 min Blood enzyme (LOH) 

Inhibition 2oi 

8,000 Christensen, 197

White sucker (adult), 

Catostomus commersonl 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

46 min Blood enzyme (GOT) 

Inhibition 

10,000 Christensen, 197

Channel catfish (embryo, larva), Mercuric lctalurus punctatus chlorlde 10 days EC50 (death and deformity) 30 Birge, et al. 19

Channel catfish (embryo, larva), Mercuric 

lctalurus punctatus chlorlde 

10 days EC50 (death and 

deformity) 

0.3 Birge, et al. 19

Channel catfish (embryo, larva), Mercuric 

lctalurus punctatus chlorlde 

- Increased 

alblnlsm 

0.5 Westerman &Birg

1978 

Channel catfish (embryo, larval, Mercuric lctalurus punctatus chlorlde 10 days BCF=44 l-2071 - Birge, et al. 19
Table 6. (Continued) 

Species Ch-lcal Duration !!.!!£!.. 

Result 

.!J!sl.L>• Reference 

Channel catfish (embryo, larval, Mercuric 

I ctai punctatus chloride 

10 days BCF-4.4-353 - Birge, et al. 1

Mosqultoflsh, 

Gambusla aff lnls 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

>10 days LC50 500 Boudou, et al. 

Guppy, 

Poecllla retlculata 

Mercur le 

chlorlde 

24 hrs LC50 13 Hamdy, 1977 

Guppy, 

Poecllla retlculata 

Mercuric 

chloride 

48 hrs LC50 303 Slooff, et al. 

Blueglll (embryo, larva), 

LepOR1ls macrochlrus 

Mercuric 

chi orIde 

7-8 days EC50 (death and 

deformity> 

88.7 Birge, et al. 

Redear sunfish (embryo, 

Lepomls mlcrolophus 

larval, Mercuric 

chlorlde 

7-8 days EC50 (death and 

deformity) 

137.2 Birge, et al. 

V1 

w 

Largemouth bass (enbryo, larval, Mercuric 

Mlcropterus salmoldes chlorlde 

Largemouth bass (embryo, larva), Mercuric 

Mlcropterus sa Imo Ides chi or Ide 

8 days 

6 days 

EC50 (death and 

deformity) 

EC50 (death and 

deformity) 

130 

140 

5.3 

Birge, 

1979 

Birge, 

et al. et al. 

Largemouth bass, 

Mlcropterus salmoldes 

- 24 hrs Affected opercular 

rhythm 

10 1-brgan, 1979 

Mozambique tllapla, 

Tl lafil mossamblca 

Mercuric 

nitrate 

35 days Cllnlcal symptoms 310 Panlgrahl &Mi

1960 

Mozambique tllapla, 

Tllapla mossamblca 

Mercuric 

chloride 

46 hrs LC50 1,000 Menezes &Qaslm

Pig frog (embryo, larval, Mercuric 

chloride 

7 days EC50 (death and 

deformity) 

67.2 Birge, et al. 

River frog (embryo, 

Rana heckscherl 

larval, Mercuric 

chloride 

7 days EC50 (death and deformity) 59.9 Birge, et al. 

Leopard frO!J 

Rana p Ip I-ens 

(embryo, larval, Mercur le 

chi or Ide 

7 days EC50 (death and 

deformity> 

1.3 Birge, et al. 
Table 6. <Continued) 

Result 

Se!£!.!!. Che11lcel Duration Effect ..!J!S!LI• Ret•ence 

Narrow-mouthed toad Mercuric 7 days EC50 (death and I Birge, et di. 1

(embryo, larval, chloride deform I ty) 1.3 1979 


Gastrophryne carollnensls 


Green toad (embryo, larval, Mercuric 7 ddys EC50 (death and 40.0 Birge, et al. 1

Bufo debllls chloride deformity) 


fowler's todd (embryo, larva), Mercur le 7 days EC50 (death and 65.9 Birge, et al. 1

Suto fowler! chloride deformity> 


Red-spotted toad Mercurls: 7 days EC50 (death and 36.8 Birge, et al. 1

(embryo, larval, chlorlde deformity>
 Bufo punctatus 


Northern cricket frog Mercuric 7 days EC50 (death and 10.4 Birge, et al. 1

(embryo, larval, chlorlde deformity) 


Acrls crepltans 


Southern gray treefrog Mercuric 7 days EC50 (death and 2.4 Birge, et al. 1

(embryo, larva), chloride deformity)
 U1 chrysoscel Is 


Spring peeper (embryo, larva), Mercuric 7 days EC50 (death and 2.8 Birge, et al. 1

chlorlde deformity) 


Barking treefrog Mercur le 7 days EC50 (death and 2.5 Birge, et al. 1

(embryo, larva), chloride deform I ty) 


Squirrel treefrog Mercuric 7 days EC50 (death and 2.4 Birge, et al. 1

(embryo, Iarva), chloride defor1alty> 


Gray treefrog (embryo, larva), Mercuric 7 days EC50 (death and 2.6 Birge, et al. 1

verslcolor chloride deformity) 


African clawed frog, Mercuric II mos Substantl al 0.16-0.2 Birge, et al. 1

Iaev Is chloride mortal lty 


African clawed frog, Mercuric 48 hrs LC50 74 Slootf &Baerse

Xenopus laevls chlorlde 1960; Slooff, e

1983 
Table 6. (Continued) 

Species 

Marbled salamander 


(embryo, larval, 


Ambystoma opacum 


Alga,
 Anklstrodesmus braunll 


Alga, 


Coelastrum mlcroporum 


Alga, 


Scenedesmus obllquus 


Alga, 


Mlcrocystls lncerta 


Planarlan, 


Dugesla dorotocephala 


V1 

VI Mussel, 

Margarltlfera margarltlfera 

Amphlpod, 

Gammarus sp. 

Rainbow trout (juvenlle), 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Rainbow trout (juvenlle), 

galrdnerl 

Rainbow trout (juvenlle), 

galrdnerl 

Rainbow trout, 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Rainbow trout, 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Ch-lea I 


Mercuric 

chloride 

Methyl mercuric chloride Methyl mercuric 

chlorlde 

Methyl111ercurlc 

chlorlde 

Methylmercurlc 

chi or Ide 

Methyl mercuric chlorlde 

Methylmercurlc 

chlorlde 

Methylmercurlc 

chloride 

Methy I mercur le 

chloride 

Methyl mercuric 

chlorlde 

Methyl mercuric 

chloride 

Methy Imercur le 

chlorlde 

Methylmercurlc 

chloride 

Result 

Duration <11g/L>• Reference

7-8 days 	 EC50 (death and I08 Birge, et al. 197

deformity> 107.5 1979 


Methylmercury 

168-240 hrs 	 Lipid blosynthesls, 1,598 Matson, et al. 19

>EC50 


EC50 (growth >2.4-<4.8 Holderness, et a

Inhibition) 1975 


14 days 	 8Cf=2, 100 (Maxi- Hav Ilk, et al. 19

mum by third day>*** 


14 days 	 BCF=990 (Max Imum Havllk, et al. 1

by third day>*** 


4 days LC50 200-500 	 Best, et al. 1981 

57 days 	 BCF=2,463 Mel IInger, 1973 


7 days 8CF-S,OOO (approx.) 	 Zubarlk & O'Conn

1978 


84 days•••• 	BCF=4,530 (whole - Reinert, et al. 

fish, 5 C) 


84 days•••• 	BCF=6,620 (whole - Reinert, et al. 

f Ish, 10 C) 


84 days**** 	BCF=8,049 (whole - Reinert, et al. 

fish, 15 C) 


Inhibited growth 0.0037-0.037 Matlda, et al. 1

14 days 	 approximate LCBO 8 Blanc, 1973 

Table 6. (Continued) 

Ch-I cal Duration 

Result 

(μg/L)* Reference 

Rainbow trout, 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Methy Imercuric 

chi or Ide 

1 wk Effected osmoregulatlon 5 Lock, et di. 198

Ra Inbow trout, 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Methylmercurlc 

chlorlde plus 

I norgan le 

mercury 

120 days Loss of appetite 48 mg/kg 

In food 

Matlda, et al. 1

Rainbow trout 

(embryo, larva), 

Salmo galrdnerl 

- 24 days EC50 (death and 

deformity) 

5 Birge & Black, 1

Ra Inbow trout, 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Methylmercurlc 

chlorlde plus 

Inorganic 

mercury 

269 days Loss of 

control 

nervous 48 mg/kg 

In food 

Matlda, et al. 1

Rainbow trout, 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Methyl mercuric 

chloride 

30 min EC50 <Reduced 

vlablllty of sperm) 

1,000 Mcintyre, 1973 

Ul 

°' Brook trout (embryo), Salvellnus fontlnalls Methylmercurlc chloride 16-17 days Decreased enzyme (GOT> act Iv Ity 0.88 Christensen, 197

Brook trout (alevln>, 

Salvellnus fontlnalls 

Methy I mercur le 

chloride 

Incubation 

period 

+ 21 days 

Reduced ::rowth 0.1 Christensen, 197

Brook trout (alevlns>, 

Salvellnus fontlnalls 

Methylmercurlc 

chlorlde 

30 days Increased enzyme 

<GOT> activity 

0.79 Chr I stensen, I97 

Brook trout Cjuvenlle), 

Salvellnus fontlnalls 

Methylmercurlc 

chlorlde 

14 days Increased blood 

plasma chlorlde 

2.93 Christensen, 

1977 

et 

Brook trout, 

Salvellnus fontlnalls 

Methyl mercuric 

chi or Ide 

8 days Increased cough 

frequency 

>3 Dru11J110nd, 

1974 

et a I. 

Conmen carp, 

Cyprlnus carplo 

Methylmercurlc 

chloride 

16 days Reduced protel n synthesis 0.05 Sharma & Davis, 

Gambusla aff lnls 

Methylmercurlc 

chlorlde 

<24 hrs LC50 500 Boudou, et di. 1
Table 6. <Continued) 

Result 

S.1!!£!!!. Ch-I cal Duration <l!slL>* Reference 

Mosqultotlsh, Methylmercurlc 30 days BCF=2,500 - Boudou, et al. 

Gambusla atflnls chloride (whole fish, ' 

10 C) 

Mosqultoflsh, Methyl mercuric 30 days BCF=4,300 - Boudou, et al. 

Gambusla aff lnls chi or Ide (whole. f lsh, 

18 C) 

Mosqultoflsh, Methylmercurlc 30 days 	 BCF=3,000 - Boudou, et al. 

Gambusla afflnls chloride 	 (whole fish, 


164 mg/kg In 


food, 10 C) 


Mosqultoflsh, Methylmercurlc 30 days 	 BCF=27,000 - Boudou, et al. 

Gambusla afflnls chi or Ide 	 (whole fish, 


236 mg/kg In 


food, 26 C) 


Bluagl 11 (juvenile>, Methyl mercuric 28. 5 days BCF=373H*** - C11111ber, et al. 

Lepomls macrochlrus chi or Ide (whole fish, U1 9 C> 

....... 


Bluegill (juvenile>, Math y I mercur le 28.5 days BCF=921***** - Camber, et al. 

Lepomls m<Sfrochlrus chi or Ida (whole fish, 21 C) 

Bluegill ljuvenlle), Methylmercurlc 28.5 days BCF•2,400*1t*** - Camber, et al. 

Lepomls chi or Ide (whole fish, 

.3.3 C> 

Leopard frog (tadpole), Methyl mercuric 48 hrs LClOO 50-100 Chang, et al. 1

Rana plplens chi or Ide 

Leopard frog, Methylmercurlc 4 mos Fallure to 1-10 Chang, et al. 1

Rana plplens chloride metiWllOf" p hose 

Leopard frog Methylmercurlc 5 days LC50 12-16 Dlal, 1976 (blastula e111bryo>, chloride 

Rana plplens 
Table 6. (Con'tI nued) 

Species Ch•lcal Duration Effect 

Result 

Jl!.9lL>• Ref.-ence 

Leopard frog 

(gastrula embryo), 

Rana plplens 

Methylmercurlc 

chloride 

5 days LC50 8-12 Dlal, 1976 

Leopard frog 

(neural plate embryo>, 

Rana plplens 

Methy lmercur le 

chi or Ide 

5 days LC50 12-16 Dia I, 1976 

Leopard frog 

(blastula embryo), 

Rana plplens 

Methyl mercuric 

chloride 

96 hrs EC50 

<teratogenesls) 

0-4 Dlal, 1976 

Leopard frog 

(gastrula embryo>, 

Rana plplens 

Methy lmercur le 

chi or Ide 

96 hrs EC50 

(teratogenesls> 

8-12 Dlal, 1976 

Leopard frog (neural plate embryo), 

Rana plplens 

Methy lmercur le 

chloride 

96 hrs EC50 

(teratogenes Is> 

12 Dlal, 1976 

V1 

CX> Newt, Trlturus vlrldescens Methyl mercuric chloride ?._2 days Delayed llmb regeneration 8 Chang, et al. 

Newt, 

Trlturus vlrldescens 

Methy lmercur le 

chloride 

17 days Death 300 Chang, et al. 

Newt, 

Trlturus vlrldescens 

Methylmercurlc 

chloride 

8 days Death 1,000 Qiang, et al. 

Mink (adult), Mustela vlson 

Methylmercur le 

chlorlde 

9J days Hlstologlc 811ldence 

of Injury 

1, 100 Wobeser, 19 n 

Mink (adult), 

t-\Jstola vlson 

Methylmercurlc 

chi or Ide 

9J days LC50 In 

tissue 

brain 11,000 Wobeser, 19 n 

Other Mercury Compounds 

Alga, (florlda Lake assemblage) Methyl mercuric dlcyandlcwlde 125 hrs Reduced b I omass o.a (approx.) Harriss, et al
Table 6. (Continued) 

Result 

Che11lcal Duration Effect .!.1!.9/L>• Reference 

Alga, 	 N-Methylmercuric- 125 hrs Reduced bi amass 0.3 Harriss, et al. 1

(Florida Lake assemblage) 	 1,2,3,6-tetrahydro- ( appro><.) 


3,6-methano-3,4,5,6, 


7,7,-he><achlorophthal imide 


Alga, Ethylmercuric 1 hr Nuisance control 38 .6 Burrows & Combs, 

Cladophoraceae phosphate 

Alga, Ethylmercuric 1 hr Nuisance control 38.6 Burrows & Combs, 

Ulothrlchaceae phosphate 

Alga, Phenylmercuric 125 hrs Reduced bi amass o.5 Harriss, et al. 1

<Florida Lake assemblage) acetate ( appro><. > 

Alga, DI phenyl 125 hrs Reduced bl amass 2.8 Harriss, et al. 1

(Florida Lake assemblage) mercury (appro><.> 

Alga, Phenylmercuric 14 days BCF=13,000 (Ma><I- - Havlik, et al. 19

Scenedesmus obliquus chloride mum by third day) 

Vl Alga, Phenylmercurlc 14 days BCF=4,000 - Havlik, et al. 19

'° Mlcrocystis incerta chloride by third day) 

Sponge, Mercury 30 days Ma I formed gemmo- 1 Mysing-Gubala & 

Ephydatia tluviati lls scleres Poirrier, 1981 

Sponge, Mercury 30 days LC50 100-500 Mysing-Gubala & 

Ephydatia tluviati lis Poirrier, 1981 

Amphlpod, Phenylmercuric 7 days BCF=6,000 (appro><.) - Zubarik &O'Conn

Gammarus sp. acetate 1978 

Crayfish (juvenile), Methylmercuric 120 hrs LC50 56 Hendrick & Evere

Procambarus clarkl dlcyandimide 1965 

Sockeye salmon (juvenile>, Pyridylmercuric 1.5 hrs LC50 10,500- Burrows &Palmer, 

Oncorhynchus nerka acetate 15,700 1949 

Sockeye salmon (juvenile), Pyridylmercurlc 1 hr Sate tor disease <954 Rucker, 1948 

Oncorhynchus nerka acetate control 
Table 6. (Continued) 

Species Chemlcal Duration _ill!£! 

Result 

.!.!.!Ill>• Reference 

Sockeye salmon (juvenlle), 

Oncorhynchus 

Pyrldylmercurlc 

acetate 

1 hr Sate tor disease 

control 

<4 '752 Rucker &Whipple

1951 

Chinook salmon <tlngerllng>, 

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 

Ethylmercurlc 

phosphate 

1 hr Distress 77 Burrows &Combs, 

Chinook salmon, 

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 

Ethylmercurlc 

phopshate 

20 hrs Sate tor 

control 

disease 39 Burrows &Combs, 

Rainbow trout (juvenile), 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Pyrldylmercurlc 

acetate 

1 hr LCIOO 1,030 Al II son, 1957 

Rainbow trout (juvenile), 

Salmo _galrdnerl 

Pyrldylmercurlc 

acetate 

1 hr LCO 967 Al I I son, 1957 

Rainbow trout (juvenile), 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Pyrldylmercurlc 

acetate 

I hr LC33 ( 6.3 C> 

( 13.3 C) 

4,750 

4,750 

Rodgers, et al. 

(J'\ 

0 

Rainbow trout (alevln), 

Sa Imo _galrdnerl 

Rainbow trout (juvenile), 

Sa Imo _ga Irdner I 

Pyrldylmercuric 

acetate 

Pyrldylmercurlc 

acetate 

1 hr 1 hr 

Sate tor disease 

control 

LC60 

<4,750 

517 

Rucker &Whipple

1951 

Al IIson, 1957 

Ral nbow trout, Phenylmercurlc 

acetate 

12 wks Growth Inhibition 0.11-1.1 Matlda, et al. 

Rainbow trout (juvenile>, 

Sa Imo galrdnerl 

Ethy I mer cur I c 

phosphate 

46 hrs LC50 43 Mat Ida, et al. 

Rainbow trout (juvenile), 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Ethylmercur I c 

p-toluene 

sul tonanl 11 de 

- Retarded learning 5 119/g In teed dally 

or IO 11g/g 

teed every 

fifth day 

Hartman, 1976 

Rainbow trout (juvenile), 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Pyr Idy Imer cur I c 

acetate 

24 hrs LC50 25 Macleod &Pessah

1973 

Rainbow trout (juvenile), 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Phenylmercurlc 

acetate 

46 hrs LC50 1,760 WI 11 ford, 1966 
-------

--------------

---

Table 6. (Continued) 

Result 

Species Ch-teal Duration Effect J...1!9/U* Reterence 

Rainbow trout (juvenile), Merthlolate 48 hrs LC50 10 ,500 WI 1ltord, 1966 

Salmo galrdnerl 

Brown trout (juvenile), Pyrldylmercuric I hr Sate tor disease 4,750 Rodgers, et al. 

Salmo trutta acetate control 

Brown trout (juvenile), Pyridylmercuric 48 hrs LC50 2,950 WI I ltord, 1966 

Salmo trutta acetate 

Brown trout (juvenile), Merthiolate 48 hrs LC50 26,800 WI I I ford, 1966 

Salmo trutta 

Brook trout (juvenile), Pyridylmercuric I hr Sate tor disease 2,070 Allison, 1957 

Salvellnus tontlnalls acetate control 

Brook trout (juvenile), Pyrldylmercurlc 1 hr Sate tor disease 4,750 Rodgers, et al. 

Salvellnus tontlnalls acetate control 

Brook trout (juvenile>, Pyrldylmercurlc 48 hrs LC50 5,080 WI I ltord , 1966 

Salvellnus tontlnalls acetate 

°' ...... Brook trout Cjuvenl lel, Merthiolate 48 hrs LC50 36,900 WI I ltord, 1966 

Salvellnus tontlnalls 

Lake trout (juvenile), Pyrldylmercuric 48 hrs LC50 3,610 WI I ltord, 1966 

Salvellnus namaycush acetate 

Lake trout (juvenile), Merthiolate 48 hrs LC50 1,060 WI 1ltord, 1966 

Salvelinus namaycush 

Channel catfish <juvenile), Pyr I dy lmercur I c 72 hrs LC50 232 Clemens &Sneed

lctalurus punctatus acetate 1958a, 1959 

Channel catfish (juvenile), Pyridylmercurlc 48 hrs LC50 ( 10 Cl 1,960 Cl amens &Sneed

lctalurus punctatus acetate (16.5 C> 1,340 1958b 

(24 Cl 234 

Channel catfish <yolk sac try>, Pyrldylmercurlc 48 hrs LC50 (23 C) 178 Clemens & Sneed

lctalurus punctatus acetate 1958b 

Channel catfish Cl wk-old), Pyridylrnercurlc 48 hrs LC50 (23 Cl <148 CI emens & Sneed

lctalurus punctatus acetate 1958b 
Table 6. (Continued) 

Species Che111lcal Duration Effect 

Result 

..!J!S/L>* Reference 

Channel catfish, 

Ictal 

Pyrldylmercurlc 

acetate 

48 hrs LC50 1,370 WI I ltord, 1966 

Channel catfish, 

lctalurus punctatus 

Merthlolate 48 hrs LC50 2,800 WI I ltord, 1966 

Bluegl 11 (juvenl le), 

111acrochlrus 

Pyrldylinercurlc 

acetate 

48 hrs LC50 7 ,600 WI I I ford, 1966 

Bluegl 11 (juvenl le), 

macrochlrus 

Merthlolate 48 hrs LC50 32,000 WI I I ford, 1966 

Largemouth bass, 

Mlcropterus salmoldes 

Mercury 21 days Threshold ot 

effect opercular rhythm 

10 Morgan, 1979 

SALTWATER SPECIES 

°' N Red alga, 

Antlthamnlon plumula 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercury( 11) 

30 min LC50 a·tter 7 days 5,000 Boney &Corner, 

Alga, 

Chaetoceros glavestonensls 

Mercuric 

chloride 

4 days About 30j reduction 

In growth 

10 Hannan, et al. 

Alga, 

Chaetoceros galvestonensls 

Mercuric 

chloride 

4 days No growth ot 

culture 

100 Hannan, et al. 

Alqa, 

Chaetoceros galvestonensls 

Mercuric 

chloride 

4 days BCF,.10,920 - Hannan, et al. 

Alga, 

Chroomonas sallna 

Mercuric 

chloride 

2 days BCF,.853 - Parrish &Carr, 

Alga, 

Cyclotel la sp. 

Mercuric 

chloride 

3 days No growth ot 

culture 

100 Hannan &Patoul 

1972 

Alga, 

Ounal lel la sp. 

Mercuric 

chloride 

- 75% 

m2 

reduction In 2,500 Ml I ls & Colwel I
Table 6. (Continued) 

Species 

Alga, 


Dunallella tertlolecta 


Alga, 


Dunallella tertlolecta 


Diatom, 


Nltzchla aclcularls 


Diatom, 


Skeletonema costatum 


Alga, 


Dunallel la tertlolecta 


O' Alga, 

w Dunallel la tertlolecta 

Alga, 


lsochrysls galbana 


Alga, 


lsochrysls galbana 


Alga, 


lsochrysls galbana 


Kelp (zoospores, gametophytes, 


sporophytes), 


Lamlnarla hyperborea 


Kelp (zoospores, gametophytes, 


sporophytes), 


Lamlnarla hyperborea 


Kelp (zoospores, gametophytes, 


sporophytes), 


Laminarla hyperborea 


Chemical 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Duration 

8 days 

8 days 

7 days 

15 days 

3 days 

8 days 

15 days 

15 days 

28 days 28 days 

22 hrs 

28 hrs 

!.!.!!£!. 

About IOS Increase 

In maximum chlorophy 11 a concentr.r tion ­

About 45j Increase 

In maximum chlorophy 11 concentratl on 

Prevented growth 

Reduced eel I 


density 


About 15j reduction 

In growth 

No et feet on growth 

About IOS reduction 

In growth 

About 60S reduction 

In growth 

Growth rate recovery 


to near normal 


after day 5 


Lowest concentration 

causing growth 

Inhibition 

EC50 respiration 

About 80j reductlon In 

respiration 

Result 

(119'U • 

100 


220 


150-200 


0.08 

10 


2 


5.1 

10.5 10.5 

10 


about 450 


10,000 

Reference 


Betz, 1977 
Betz, 1977 


Mora & Fabregas, 

Cloutler-Mantha 

Harri son, 1960 


Davi es, 1976 


Davi es, 1976 


Davies, 1974 


Davies, 1974 


Davies, 1974 


Hopkins &Kain, 

Hopkins &Kain, 

Hopkl ns & Kain, 
Table 6. (Continued) 

Re5ult 

Species Cht111lcal Duration Effect Reference ..!.l!.9l.L>* 

Alga, Mercuric 4 days About 50% reduction 50 Hannan, et al. 

Phaeodacti'...!!!!!!. trI cornutum chlorlde In growth 

Alga, Mercuric 4 days No growth of 120 Hannan, et al. 

trlcornutura chlorlde culture 

Alga, Mercuric 4 days BCF=7, 120 - Hannan, et al. 

Phaeodacti'...!!!!!!. trIcornut1111 chloride Red alga (sporllng>, Mercuric 24 hrs 40% reduct Ion In 120 Boney, 1971 

Plumarla elegans chloride growth over 21 days 

Red alga (sporllng), Mercuric 1 hr 40% reduction In 1,000 Boney, 1971 

Plumarla elegans chlorlde growth over 21 days 

Red alga (sporllng>, Mercur le 18 hrs LC50 after 7 days 3, 170 Boney, et al. 1

Plumarla elegans chlorlde Red alga, Mercur le 30 min LC50 after 7 days 6,700 Boney &Corner, 

Plumarla elegans chloride 

.po °' 

Red alga, Mercuric 30 min LC50 after 7 days 8,000 Boney &Corner, Polyslphonla chi or Ide 

Alga (mixed), Mercur le 6 days OCF=3,467 - Laumond, et al. 

Asterlonella japonlca plus chlorlde 

Diogenes sp. 

5 seaweed species, Mercuric 10 days 10-30% reduction In 10 Strangren, 1960 

Ascophyllum nodosum, chlorlde growth 

Fucus Is, 

t:"Vers culosus, 

T. serratus, 


1felvefla canallculata 


Algae, Mercuric 17 days Growth Inhibition <5-15 Berland, et al. 

(eighteen species) chlorlde 
Table 6. (Continued) 

Species Ch-I cal Duration 

Result 

JJ!gll>* Reference 

Algae, 

(eighteen species) 

Mercuric 

chloride 

17 days Death 10-50 Berland, et al. 

Algae, 

(three spec Ies) 

Mercuric 

chloride 

166 hrs Depressed growth 30-350 Sick &WI ndom, 

Algae, 

(three spec Ies) 

Mercuric 

chloride 

166 hrs No further 

bloacc1M11Ulatlon 

40 Sick &Windom, 

Algae, 

(three species) 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

166 hrs Changes In eel I 

chemistry 

30-350 Sick & Wlnd0111, 

Natural phytoplankton 

populatlons 

Mercuric 

chi or Ide 

120 hrs Reduced ch I orophy I I 

ii 

6 Holllbaugh, 

1960 

et 

Natural phytoplankton 

populatlons 

Mercuric 

chi or Ide 

96 hrs Reduced bl anass 2 Hol llbaugh, 

1980 

et 

°' \J1 

Phytoplankton, 

(Natural assemblages) 

Protozoan, 

Crlstlgera sp. 

Mercuric 

chi or Ide 

Mercuric 

chloride 

21 days 

12 hrs 

Inhibited growth 

Reduced growth 

I 

2.5-5 

Thomas, et al. 

Gray &Ventll la

Protozoan, Mercur le 

chi or Ide 

46 hrs Inhibition of 

reproduction 

1,000 Persoone & 

Uyttersprot, 19

Sand worm (adult>, 

Nerels vlrens 

Mercur le 

chloride 

168 hrs LC50 60 Elsler &Hennek

1977 

Sand worm (adult>, 

vlrens 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

166 hrs LCIOO 125 Elsler &Hennek

1977 

Polychaete worm (adult), 

Ophryotrocha dladema 

Mer cur le 

chlorlde 

96 hrs LCl3 50 Relsh &Carr, 1

Polychaete worm (adult), 

Ophryotrocha dladema 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

96 hrs LC60 100 Relsh &Carr, 1

Polychaete wor111 (adult>, 

Ophryotrocha dladema 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

96 hrs LCIOO 500 Rel sh &Carr, 1

Pol ychaete worm, 

Ophryotrocha dladema 

Mercuric 

chloride 

46 hrs LC50 30-100 Parkdr, 1964 
Table 6. (Continued) 

Chemical Duration Effect 

Result 

..!J!.9lL)• Reference 

Blue mussel Clarva> , Mercuric 

chloride 

24 hrs Abnormal 32 Okubo &Okubo, 1

Pacific oyster (larva), 

Crassostrea 

Mercuric 

chloride 

24 hrs Abnormal 

development 

32 Okubo &Okubo, 1

Eastern oyster (embryo), 

Crassostrea vlrglnlca 

Mercuric 

chloride 

12 days LC50 12 Calabrese &Nels

Calabrese, et al

Eastern oyster (embryo), 

Crassostrea vlrglnlca 

Mercuric 

chloride 

48 hrs LCO 1 Calabrese, 

1973 

et al

Eastern oyster (embryo), 

Crassostrea vlrglnlca 

Mercuric 

chloride 

19 days Trace metal upset 50 Koptler, 1974 

Clam, 

Is 

Mercuric 

ch lorl de 

72 hrs Reduced cal cl um 

uptake 

26.5 Mlng-Shdn &Zubk

1982 

"' "' 

Common rangla, 

Rangla cuneata 

Ccmmon rang I a, 

Rdngla cuneata 

Mera.Jr le 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

96 hrs 

14 days 

LC50 C<I g/kg 

sa 11 n I ty) 

BCF=l,130 

(whole animal> 

5,100 

-

Olson &Harrel, 

Oii Ion &Nett, 1

Quahog clam Clarval, 

Marcenarla mercenarla 

Mercuric 

chloride 

8-10 days 

·­

LC50 14 Calabrese &Nels

Calabrese, et al

Quahog clam Clarval, 

Mercenarla mercenarla 

Mercuric 

chi or Ide 

42-48 hrs LCO 2. 5 Calabrese, 

1973 

et al

Soft-shell clam (adult), 

Mya arenarla 

Marcur le 

chloride 

168 hrs LCO I Eisler &Henneke

Soft-shel I clam 

arenarla 

(adult), Mercuric 

chloride 

168 hrs LC50 4 Eisler &Henneke

Soft-shell clam (adult), Mercuric 

chloride 

168 hrs LClOO 30 Eisler &Henneke

1977 

Copepods (adult), 

(5 genera) 

Mercuric 

chi or Ide 

10 days 90% decrease 

production 

In egg 10 Reeva, et al. 19

Copepods (adult), 

(5 genera) 

Mercuric 

chloride 

10 days 70% decrease 

fecal pellet 

In 10 Reeve, et al. 19
Table 6. (Continued) 

Species 

Copepods (adult), 

(5 genera> 

Copepod (adult>, 

Pseudocalanus 

Copepod (adu It>, 

Pseudocalanus mlnutus 

Copepod (adult), 

Acartla clausl 

Copepod (adult), 

Acartla clausl 

Barnacle (adult), Balanus balanoldes 

Barnacle (cyprld), 

Balanus balanoldes 

°' ....... 


Barnacle Ccyprldl,
 Balanus balanoldes 
Barnacles (naupllusl, 
Balanus crenatus 
Barnacle (cyprldl, 


Balanus lmprovlsus 


White shrimp (adult), 


Penaeus setlferus 


Grass shrimp (larva), 


Palaemonetes vulgarls 


Grass shrimp (larva), 


Palaernonetes vulgarls 


Grass shrimp, 


Pa I aemonetes .£.!!9.!£ 


Cheialcal 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

Mercuric 

ch I or Ide 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Duration 

48 hrs 

70 days 

70 days 

1.9 	hrs 

24 hrs 

48 hrs 

6 hrs 

6 hrs 


6 hrs 


48 hrs 


60 days 


<24 hrs 

48 hrs 

120 hrs 

Effect 

--· 

Hg-Cu Interactions 

on LC50 

No growth of culture 

No growth Inhibition 

LC50 RCF"'7,500 

LC90 

About lOS reduclton 

In substrate attachment over 19 days 

LC50 

LC50 

About 50S abnormal 

development 

No effect on 

respiration, growth, 

or molting 

LCIOO 

LCO 

LC50 

Result <e9'L>* 

17 


(Hg In 


mixture) 


5 


50 


1,000 


10 


90 


60 


16,600 

56 


<5.6 


148 


Reference 


Reeve, et al. 19

Sonntag &Greve, 

Sonntag &Greve, 

Corner &Sparrow

1956 


Rellchlro, et al

1983 


Clarke, 1947 


Pyet Inch & Mott, 

Pyefl nch & Mott, 

Pyetlnch &Mott, 

Clarke, 1947 


Green, -'.et al • 19 

Shealy &Sandife

1975 


Shealy & Sandife

1975 


Bartha Imus, 19 77 
Table 6. (Continued) 

Species Ch-I cal Duration !.!.!E. 

Result 

Jl!slL>• Reference 

Grass shrimp, 

Pa I aemonetes 

Mercuric 

chloride 

24 hrs Impaired condltloned avoidance 

response 

31 Barthalmus, 1977 

Grass shrimp (larva), 

vulgarls 

Mercuric 

chloride 

48 hrs LC50 10 Shealy &Sandif

1975 

Grass shrimp (larva), 

Palaemonetes vulgarls 

Mercuric 

ch Ior Ide 

48 hrs Abnormal 

development 

10-18 Shealy & Sandif

1975 

Hermit crab (adult), 

Pagurus longlcarpus 

Mercuric 

chloride 

168 hrs LCO 10 Elsler &Hennek

1977 

Hermit crab (adult), 

Pagurus longlcarpus 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

168 hrs LC50 50 Eisler & Hennek

1977 

Hermit crab (adultl, 

Pagurus longlcarpus 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

168 hrs LClOO 125 Eisler &Hennek

1977 

°'

00 

Green crab (adult), 

Carclnus maenas 

Green crab (adult>. 

Carclnus 111aenas 

Mercuric 

chloride 

Mercuric 

chi or Ide 

48 hrs 

48 hrs 

LC50 

LC50 

1,000 

1,200 

Portmann, 1968 

Connor, 1972 

Green crab (larva), Mercur le 

chloride 

4 7 iv-s LC50 10 Connor, 1972 

Green crab (larva), Mercur le 

chloride 

20-30 hrs LC50 33 Connor• 1972 

Green crab (larva), Mercuric 

chloride 

4.3-13.5 hrs LC50 100 Connor, 1972 

Green crab (larva), Mer cur le 

chloride 

2. 7 hrs LC50 1,000 Connor. 1972 

Green crab (larva), 

Carclnus maenas 

Mercuric 

chloride 

0.5 hrs LC50 3,300 Connor, 1972 

Green crab (larval, 

Carclnus maenas 

Mercuric 

chloride 

0.22 hrs LC50 10.000 Connor• 1972 
Table 6. (Continued) 

Result 

Species Ch-I cal Duration !!.!!£t ..!l!.Sl.L>. Reference 

Flddler crab (adult), Mercur Jc 28 days Low survival, 1,000 Weis, 1976 

Uca pug 11 ator chlorlde Inhibited 1lmb 

regeneration 

Flddler crab (adult), Mercur le 6 days 20-25% reduction 180 Vern berg &Vernb

pugllator chi or Ide In percent survival 1972 

Flddler crab (adult), Mercuric 6 days 20-25% reduction 180 Vernberg & Vernb

Uca pug I I a tor chi or Ide In percent survival 1972 

flddler crab (adult), Mercuric 24 hrs Increased oxygen 180 Vernberg & Vernb

Uca pug I I a tor chlorlde cons1M11ptlon 1972 

Flddler crab (zoea), Mercuric 8 days LC50 1.8 DeCoursey &Vern

pugllator chlorlde 1972 

Flddler crab (zoea), Mercuric 24 hrs 20-100% Increase In 1.6 DeCoursey &Vern

Uca chloride metabol lc rate 1972 

attar stage 1 zoea 

Flddler crab (zoea), Mercuric 5 days About 40% Increase 1.8 UeCoursey &Vern

°' '° Uca pug I I a tor ch Ior Ide 	 In swllllllllng activity 1972 of stage V zoea 

Starfish (adult), Mercuric 168 hrs LCO 10 Elsler & Henneke

Asterlas forbesl chloride 1977 

Starfish (adult>, Mercuric 168 hrs LC50 20 Elsler & Henneke

Asterlas torbesl chi orIde 1977 

Starfish (adult), Mercuric 168 hrs LClOO 125 Elsler & Henneke

Asterlas torbesl chi or Ide 1977 

Sea urchin (spermatazoa), Mercuric 8 min About 150% Increase 20 Young & Nelson, 

Arbacla punctulata chloride In sw l111ml ng speed 

Sea urchin (spermatazoa), Mercuric 24 min About 80% decrease 2,000 Young &Nelson, 

Arbacla punctulata chlorlde In swimming speed 

Sea urchin (embryo), Mercuric 13 hrs Abnormal development 92 Waterman, 1937 

Arbacla punctulata chi or Ide 

Haddock (embryo), Mercuric 96 hrs LC50 918 Cardin, 1982 

Melanogrammus aegletlnus chlorlde 
Table 6. (Continued) 

Result 

Se!£!!!. Ch811lcal Duration Effect (J!glL>• Reference 

Munmlchog (adult), Mercuric 168 hrs LCO 100 Eisler & Henneke

Fundulus heteroclltus chloride 1977 

Mummlchog (adu It), Mercuric 168 hrs LC50 800 Eisler & Henneke

Fundulus heteroclltus chlorlde 1977 

Mummlchog (adult), Mercuric 168 hrs LC100 1,000 Elsler &Henneke

Fundulus heterocl ltus chloride 1977 

Mummlchog (adult), Mercuric 24 hrs Disrupted osmoreg- 125 Renfro, et al. 1

Fundulus heteroclltus chloride ulatlon 

Mummlchog (adult), - 96 hrs Affected I Iver 200 Jacklm, et al. 1

Fundulus heteroclltus enzymes 

Mummlchog (adult), Mercuric 28 days Up to 40% reduction 12 Jacklm, 19n Fundulus heteroclltus chloride In enzyme activity before recovery 

Munm I chog (embryo) , Mercuric 3 days Many developmental 30-40 Weis & Weis, 1977 

...... Fundulus heteroclltus chloride abnonnal I ties 

0 

Mumm I chog (embryo) , Mercuric 3 days Some develo1>111ental 10-20 Weis & Weis, 1977 Fund!tl!!!. heteroc 11 tus chlorlde abnomal I ties 

Mumm I chog (embryo) , Mercuric 12 hrs Some developmental 30-40 Weis & Weis, 197

Fundulus heterocl ltus chlorlde abnorma I I t I es 

Mummlchog (embryo), Mercuric 32 days EC50 67.4 Sharp & Net f, 19

Fundulus heteroclltus chloride 

Mummlchog (larva), Mercuric - No et feet 50 We Is & We Is, 1983 

Fundulus heteroclltus chlorlde 

Mummlchog (adult), Mercur lc -	 Mercury red I s- 1,000 ug Hg/ Sheline & Sclvnld

Fundulus heteroclltus chlorlde 	 trlbutlon organs kg body lilt Nlelson, 1977 

fol towing Se pl us 400 ug 

pretreatment Se/kd body wt 

Mummlchog (adult), Mercuric 96 hrs Cellular 250-5,000 Gardner, 1975 

Fundulus heteroclltus chloride degeneration 

Mummlchog (adult), Mercuric 48 hrs LCIOO 2,000 Elsler, et al. 19

Fundulus heteroclltus chloride 
Table 6. (Continued) 

Ch8111lcal Duration Effect 

Result 

.!l!.!l{.L>. Reference 

Mummlchog (adult), 

Fundulus heteroclltus 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

96 hrs Slugglsh, uncoordlnated swlnmlng 1, 150 Klaunlg, et al

Shiner perch, 

aggregata 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

- 45% reduct Ion of 

brain chollnesterase activity 

33,900 Abou-Oonla & M

1967 

Striped bass (adult), 

Marone saxatl Ils 

Mercur le 

chi or Ide 

30 days Decreased resplratlon 30 days post 

exposure 

5 Dawson, et al. 

Winter flounder (adult), 

Pseudopleuronectes amerlcanus 

Mercuric 

chlorlde 

60 days Decreased resplratlon 10 Calabrese, 1975 et 

Methyl mercury 

Alga, 

Dunallella tertlolecta 

Methyl mercuric 

chloride 

10 min EC50 

(photosynthesis> 

about 170 Overnel I, 1975 

...... 

.... 

Al ya, 

Phaeodactylum trlcornutum 

Red alga Csporll ng), Plumarla elegans 

Methyl mercuric 

chi or Ide 

Methyl mercuric 

chlorlde 

25 days 

18 hrs 

EC50 · 

Cphotosynthes Is) 

L..C50 after 7 days 

about 

44 

190 Overnel I, 1975 

Boney, et al. 

Alga, 

Tetraselmls succl..£2. 

Methylmercurlc 

chlorlde 

3 days Inhibited growth 25 Mora &Fabrega

Alga, 

Chaetoceros sp. 

Dlinethylmercury 3 days About 75% reduct Ion 

In growth 

100 Hannan 

1972 

& Patou

Alga, 

Cyclotel la sp. 

Dlmethylmercury 3 days About 15% reduction 

In growth 

500 Hannan & Patou

1972 

Alga, 

sp. 

Dlmethylmercury 3 days About 45% reduction 

In growth 

500 Hannan &Patou

1972 

Red alga Csporllng>, Plumarla elegans Methy lmercur le chlorlde 25 min EC50 (growth CNer 21 days 40 Boney, 1971 

Diatom, 

Nltzchla aclcularls 

Methylmercurlc 

chloride 

3 days Inhibited growth 25 Mora & Fabrega
Table 6. (Continued) 

Ch•lcal Duration Effect 

Result 

JJ!.a!L>* Reference 

Dlnoflagel late, 

Scrlppslella faeroense 

Mercuric 

acetate 

14 days No growth of 

culture 

1,000 Kayser, 19 76 

Alga, 

Ch lore Ila sp. 

Ethylmercurlc 

phosphate 

10 days 22'/. reduct Jon growth In 0.6 Ukeles, 1962 

Alga, 

Chloral la sp. 

Ethylmercurlc 

phosphate 

10 days lO()j lethal 

culture 

to 6 Ukel es, 1962 

Alga, Ounallella euchlora Ethy lmercur Jc phosphate 10 days 36j reduction growth In 0.6 Ukeles, 1962 

Alga, Dunallella euchlora Ethy l111ercur le phosphate 10 days lOOj lethal culture to 60 Ukeles, 1962 

Alga, 

MonochrY!.!.! I uther I 

Ethylmercurlc 

phosphate 

IO days No reduct Jon 

growth 

In 0.6 Ukeles, 1962 

......, 

N 

Alga, Monochrysls lutherl 

Alga, 

Phaeodactylum trlcornutum 

Ethylmercurlc phosphate 

Ethylmercurlc 

phosphate 

10 days 

10 days 

100• I etha I to 

culture 

45j reduction Jn 

growth 

6 

0.6 

lJl.e Ies, 

Ukel es, 

1962 

1962 

Alga, 

Phaeodacttl!!!!!, trI cornutum 

Ethylmercur le 

phosphate 

10 days lOOj lethal 

culture 

to 6 Ukeles, 1962 

Alga,

Protococcus sp. 

Ethylmercurlc 

phosphate 

10 days 14% reduction 

growth 

In o.6 Uke Ies, 1962 

Alga,

Protococcus sp. 

Ethylmer cur le 

phosphate 

10 days lOOj lethal 

culture 

to 6 Ukeles, 1962 

Red alga (sporllng>, Plumarla elegans 

Mercuric 

Iodide 

16 hrs LC50 after 7 days 156 Boney, et al. 1

Red alga (sporllng), Plumarla ele911ns Ethylmercurlc chloride 16 hrs LC50 after 7 days 26 Boney, et al. 1

Red alga ( sporllng>, Plumarla elegans Pheny liner cur le chlorlde 16 hrs LC50 after 7 days 54 Boney, et al. 1
Table 6. <Continued) 

Species 

Diatom, 


Nltzchla dellcatlsslma 


Blue mussel (adult), 
Mytl lus edul Is 


Eastern oyster (adult), 


Crassostrea vlrglnlca 


Copepod (adult), 


Acartla clausl 


Amphlpod (adult), 


Gammarus duebenl 


Fiddler crab (adult), 


Uca sp. 


Fiddler crab (adult), 


Uca sp. 


-...J 

I,,) Mummlchoq (adult), 

Fundulus heteroclltus 

Mummlchog (embryo>, 

Fundulus heteroclltus 

Mummlchog (larva), 

Fundulus heteroclltus 

Mummichog (embryo>, 

Fundulus heteroclltus 

Striped mullet, 

Olnot Iage I late, Gymnodlnlum spendens 

Olnot Iage I late, 

Scrlppslel la taeroense 

Che11lcal Duration 

Methylmercurlc 24 hrs 

dlcyandlamlde 

Methylmercurlc 24 hrs 

chloride 

Methylmercurlc 19 days 

chloride 

Methylmercurlc 24 hrs 

chloride 

Methyl•ercurlc 3 days 

chloride 

MethylrAercurlc 32 days 

chloride 

Methylmercurlc 32 days 

chloride 

Methy lmercur I c 24 hrs 

chloride 

Methylmercurlc 7 days 

chloride 

Methylmercurlc chloride 

Methylmercurlc 

chloride 

Methylmercuric 13 days 

chloride 

Result 

Effect <119/L>* 

EC50 0.4 

(photosynthesis> 

About 90j reduced 

feeding rate 

400 

Trace metal upset 50 

BCF=56,00<>-350,000 

Induced diuresis 

No 11 mb 

regeneration 

Melanin absent In 

regerated 11 mbs 

Disrupted 

osmoregulatlon 

Teratologlcal 

effects 

Reduced LT50s 

56 

300-500 

100 

125 

50 

50 

Developed resistance 50 

In a pond 

Inhibited tin 

regeneratl on 

Other Mercury Canpounds 

Mercuric 11 days 

acetate 

Mercuric 25 days 

acetate 

55S reduction In 10 

growth 

45S reduction In 10 

morphological 

variation 

Reference 

Harriss, et al. 

Dorn, 1976 Koptler, 1974 

Rellchlro, et al

1983 


Lockwood & Inman

1975 

Weis, 1977 Weis, 1977 

Renfro, et al. 1

Weis, et al. 198

Weis &Weis, \98

Weis & Weis, 198Weis &Weis, 197

Kayser, 1976 

Kayser, 1976 
Table 6. (Continued) 

Species Ch8111lcal Duration Effect 

Result 

()!glL>* Reference 

Red alga (sporllng>, 

Plumarla ele9ans 

Pheny lmercur le 

Iodide 

18 hrs LC50 after 7 days 104 Boney, et al. 19

Red alga (sp0rllng), 

Plumarla 

Isoamy I mercur I c 

chloride 

18 hrs LC50 after 7 days 19 Boney, et al. 19

Hed alga (sporl Ing>• Plumarla elegans n-amylmercur le chloride 18 hrs LC50 after 7 days 13 Boney, et al. 19

Red alga (spar 11 ng>. Plumarla elegans 

lsopropylmercurlc 

chlorlde 

18 hrs LC50 after 7 days 28 Boney, et al. 19

Red alga (sporl Ing>. Plumarla 

n-propylmercurlc 

chlorlde 

18 hrs LC50 after 7 days 13 Boney, et al. 19

Red alga (sporllng), Plumarla elegans 

n-buty I mercur I c 

chloride 

18 hrs LC50 after 7 days 13 Boney, et al. 19

....., 

"" 

Diatom, 

Nltzchla dellcatlsslma 

N-methylmercurlc­ 24 

1,2,3,6-tetrahydro3,6-methano-3,4,5,6, 

7,7-hexachlorophtha I Im I ne 

hrs EC50 

(photosynthesIs) 

0.3 Harriss, et al. 

Diatom, 

Nltzchla dellcatlsslma 

Pheny I mercur le 

acetate 

24 hrs EC50 

(photosynthesis) 

I. 5 Harriss, et al. 

Diatom, 

Nltzchla dellcatlsslma 

DI pheny I mercury 24 hrs EC50 

(photosynthesis) 

18 Harriss, et al. 

Diatom, 

Nltzchla aclcularls 

Pheny lmercur le 

acetate 

7 days Inhibited growth 25 f.bra &fabregas

Eastern oyster (adult), 

Crassostrea vlrglnlca 

Mercuric 

acetate 

12 hrs da 11 y 

for 15 days 

33% reduction 

shel I growth 

In 10 Cun n Ingham, 1976 

Eastern oyster (adult>, 

Crassostrea vlrglnlca 

Mercur le 

acetate 

60 days LC55 JOO Cunnlngh<1111, 1976 

Eastern oyster (adult), 

Crassostrea vlrglnlca 

Phenylmercurlc 

chloride 

19 days Trace metal upset 50 Kap t Ier, 19 74 
Table 6. (Continued> 

Result 

SI!!£!!!. Ch-Ical Duration Effect <l!slL>* Refflf"ence 

Capepod (adult), Mercuric 1.9 hrs LC50 50 Corner &Sparrow

Acartla clausl acetate 1956 

Copepod (adult), Ethy l111ercur le I. 9 hrs LC50 50 Corner &Sparrow

Acartla chloride 1956 

Coho salmon (adult>, Pyrldylmercurlc 	 12-15 wks, 0.03 mg Hg/kg wet 1,000 Amend, 1970 

Oncorhynchus klsutch acetate 	 I hr wkly wt 111uscle 2 yrs 


as juven- post-exposure 


1les 


Sockeye salmon (juvenile), Pyr ldy hnercur le 12-15 wks, 1.2 mg Hg/kg wet 1,000 !mend, 1970 

Oncorhynchus nerka acetate 1 hr wkly wt muscle 12 weeks 

post-exposure 

Sockeye salmon (adult), Pyrldylmercurlc 	 12-15 wks, 0.24 mg Hg/kg wet 1,000 Amend, 1970 

Oncorhynchus nerka acetate 	 I hr wkly wt muscle 3 yrs 


as juven- post-exposure 


lies 


....... Sockeye salmon (adult), Pyrldylmercurlc 	 12 I-hr 0.04 mg Hg/kg wet 1,000 Amend, 1970 
 VI Oncorhynchus acetate 	 e><posures wt muscle 4 yrs 

as juven- post-exposure 

Iles 

Chinook salmon (adult), Pyrldylmercurlc 35 wks, I up to 0.12 mg Hg/kg 1,000 Amend, 1970 

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha acetate hr wkly as muscle 4 yrs later 

juvenl les 

Threesplne stickleback, Phenylmercur le 370 ml n LClOO 100 Boetlus, 1960 

Gasterosteus aculeatus acetate 

* Results are expressed as mercury, not as the 	chemical. 

In river water. ** 


*** Static, continua! loss over time. 


•••• Not at steady-state. 

•••••BCF Independent of concentration In water over rdnge tested. 
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--

TECHNICAL REPORT DATA 

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j . . _________. :10 fRC:~RAM EUMF'<T '10 

US EPA 

Office of Research & Developrrent 

washington, D.C. 20460 

12. SPONS0!11NC AGENCY :~.AN:E AND "'LLH TYi'!: OF R!:P()R - AND i'!:RICO COVERED 

US EPA 14.SPOf\.SORH~G-AGC'IC_Y_C_O_D_E________ -­ Office of Water Regulations & Standards 

Criteria & Standards Division 


401 M St., S.W.; Washington, D. C. 20460 


1:,, $JPT'LLMENTAl1Y NU i l~ 

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J:):)cwrent provides a sumnary of important aquatic toxicological data pertaining to 

rrercury. Criterion Maximum an<l Criterion Continuous Concentrations (~ and CCC) 

are calculated. Any necessary adjusbnents to the criterion are discussed. An 

ex.tensive bibliography is provided. 

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