Toxicity and Risk Assessment of Zinc and Aluminum Mixtures to Ceriodaphnia silvestrii (Crustacea: Cladocera)

Abstract Despite the co-occurrence of metals in aquatic environments, their joint effects are generally not considered during risk assessments. Data on the combined effects of zinc (Zn) and aluminum (Al) on aquatic animals are extremely scarce in the literature, although these metals are commonly used in domestic and industrial activities. In the present study, we investigated the effects of mixtures of Zn and Al on the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia silvestrii. We evaluated immobility (at 48 h) and ingestion rates (at 24 h). We also performed chronic toxicity tests for single metals. The environmental risks of these substances for tropical freshwaters were estimated from the risk quotient (measured environmental concentration/predicted no-effect concentration). In immobility tests, our results showed a 48-h median effect concentration (EC50) of 0.22 mg Zn L−1 and 0.52 mg Al L−1, and we observed synergistic effects of Zn and Al, following the independent action model. The ingestion rates of C. silvestrii were inhibited at 0.1, 0.4, and 0.5 mg Al L−1, and they were increased at 0.08 mg Zn L−1; we observed antagonistic effects in all treatments combined with 0.5 mg Al L−1. In terms of chronic toxicity, a 7-d EC50 occurred at 0.11 mg Zn L−1 and 0.37 mg Al L−1. The risk assessment suggests a potential risk of these metals at environmentally relevant concentrations, especially when in a mixture. Therefore, we recommend mixture toxicity tests during risk assessments to ensure that zooplankton are protected. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2912–2922. © 2021 SETAC