Investigation of acute toxicity of heavy metals in Artemia salina acclimated to different salinity

Abstract

Environment plays a vital role in the growth and metabolism of aquatic organisms. Pollutants are known to produce marked changes in the food cycle. In order to study the impact of prey on aquaculture, this study was conducted in live fish feed Artemia salina. Since changes in the culture tank due to environmental factors were mainly responsible for the decline of aquaculture, this study focused on the effect of salinity and heavy metal, including mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), and chromium (Cr), on two life stages of A. salina. Cr-exposed groups showed the highest morality at 0.052 ppm (99%) with the growth of 60%. Percentage mortality was observed to be in the order of Cr>Hg>Cu. Growth was significantly reduced. Artemia was able to accumulate Hg (9–13%), Cu (5.4–5.9%), and Cr (16.4–35%) in the body. The concentrations of heavy metals in water samples were 50–64% of Hg, 52–78% of Cu, and 62% of Cr. Metal stress induced elevated protein content, which may be due to the stress response of the organism against free radicals.

Keywords:

• Artemia salina
• growth
• heavy metal toxicity
• salinity stress
• protein content