Chronic Toxicity of Copper to the Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) in Soft Water

Abstract

The maximum acceptable toxicant concentration of copper for the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas, Rafinesque) in water having an EDTA hardness of 30 mg/liter (as CaCO₃) was found to be between 0.13 and 0.22 of the 96-hr TL_m value, using survival, growth, and reproduction to evaluate effect. In an earlier study the application factor for copper in water with an EDTA hardness of 200 mg/liter (as CaCO₃) was found to be between 0.03 and 0.08 for the same species. Suggestions are made that should increase the accuracy and precision of future determinations of application factors.