Air Quality Criteria for Lead Volume II of II - (NEPIS)(EPA) - US ...

photosynthesis and consumed a great deal of available nutrients. The stabilization pond had
a rich nutrient budget, resulting in improved alga growth and species diversity (Jayaraj
et al., 1992).
AX7.2.4.3 Recent Studies on Effects of Lead on Consumers
This section focuses on the effects of Pb to aquatic biota including invertebrates, fish, and
other biota with an aquatic life stage (e.g., amphibians). It is not intended to be a comprehensive
review of all research conducted. Rather, the intent is to illustrate the concentrations and effects
of Pb on freshwater and marine aquatic species. Eisler (2000) provides an overview of much of
the recent available literature on the toxicity of Pb to fish and aquatic invertebrates. An
extensive literature search was conducted using numerous electronic bibliographic and database
services (e.g., DIALOG, EPA ECOTOX) and limited temporally from 1986 to present. This
temporal limit was due to the availability of the EPA water quality criteria report for the
protection of aquatic life, released in 1986 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1986b).
Based on the results of the literature search and recent reviews of the toxicity of Pb (Eisler,
2000), numerous studies have been published on the toxicity of Pb to aquatic consumers.
Hardness, pH, temperature, and other factors are important considerations when characterizing
the acute and chronic toxicity of lead (Besser et al., 2005) (Section AX7.2.3.5). However, many
of the studies reviewed did not report critical information on control mortality, water quality
parameters, or statistical methods, making comparing effects between studies difficult. Studies
reporting only physiological responses to Pb exposure (e.g., reduction of ALAD) are not
discussed here, as this topic was covered more completely in Section AX7.2.3.4. This section
provides a review of toxicity studies conducted with invertebrates, fish, and other aquatic
organisms.
Invertebrates
Exposure of invertebrates to Pb can lead to adverse effects on reproduction, growth,
survival, and metabolism (Eisler, 2000). The following presents information on the toxicity of
Pb to invertebrates in fresh and marine waters.
AX7-183