@article {1720,
	title = {Ameliorating effect of chloride on nitrite toxicity to freshwater invertebrates with different physiology: a comparative study between amphipods and planarians},
	journal = {Arch Environ Contam Toxicol},
	volume = {54},
	year = {2008},
	month = {2008 Feb},
	pages = {259-65},
	abstract = {<p>High nitrite concentrations in freshwater ecosystems may cause toxicity to aquatic animals. These living organisms can take nitrite up from water through their chloride cells, subsequently suffering oxidation of their respiratory pigments (hemoglobin, hemocyanin). Because NO(2)(-) and Cl(-) ions compete for the same active transport site, elevated chloride concentrations in the aquatic environment have the potential of reducing nitrite toxicity. Although this ameliorating effect is well documented in fish, it has been largely ignored in wild freshwater invertebrates. The aim of this study was to compare the ameliorating effect of chloride on nitrite toxicity to two species of freshwater invertebrates differing in physiology: Eulimnogammarus toletanus (amphipods) and Polycelis felina (planarians). The former species presents gills (with chloride cells) and respiratory pigments, whereas in the latter species these are absent. Test animals were exposed in triplicate for 168 h to a single nitrite concentration (5 ppm NO(2)-N for E. toletanus and 100 ppm NO(2)-N for P. felina) at four different environmental chloride concentrations (27.8, 58.3, 85.3, and 108.0 ppm Cl(-)). The number of dead animals and the number of affected individuals (i.e., number of dead plus inactive invertebrates) were monitored every day. LT(50) (lethal time) and ET(50) (effective time) were estimated for each species and each chloride concentration. LT(50) and ET(50) values increased with increases in the environmental chloride concentration, mainly in amphipods. Results clearly show that the ameliorating effect of chloride on nitrite toxicity was more significant in amphipods than in planarians, likely because of the absence of gills (with chloride cells) and respiratory pigments in P. felina. Additionally, this comparative study indicates that the ecological risk assessment of nitrite in freshwater ecosystems should take into account not only the most sensitive and key species in the communities, but also chloride levels in the aquatic environment.</p>
},
	keywords = {Amphipoda, Animals, Chlorides, Lethal Dose 50, Nitrites, planarians, Water Pollutants, Chemical},
	issn = {0090-4341},
	doi = {10.1007/s00244-007-9034-0},
	author = {Alonso, A and Camargo, J A}
}
@article {1718,
	title = {Toxicity of nitrite to three species of freshwater invertebrates.},
	journal = {Environ Toxicol},
	volume = {21},
	year = {2006},
	month = {2006 Feb},
	pages = {90-4},
	abstract = {<p>Nitrite is a compound with a high toxicity to aquatic animals. Several anthropogenic pollution sources are increasing the concentrations of this component of the nitrogen cycle. Despite this toxicity, there is little available literature on its effects on freshwater invertebrates. Laboratory bioassays were performed to obtain data on the lethal effects of nitrite to three species of freshwater invertebrates: the planarian Polycelis felina and the amphipods Echinogammarus echinosetosus and Eulimnogammarus toletanus. The LC(50), LC(10), and LC(0.01) values (mg/L NO(2)--N) at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h were calculated for each species. E. toletanus and E. echinosetosus were the most sensitive species, with 96 h LC(50) values of 2.09 and 2.59 mg/L NO(2)--N, respectively. In contrast, the planarian P. felina showed a higher tolerance to nitrite, with a 96 h LC(50) value of 60.0 mg/L NO(2)--N. The obtained results were compared with the reported nitrite data for other freshwater invertebrates. This study may contribute to a more appropriate assessment of the ecological risk of this compound in freshwater ecosystems.</p>
},
	keywords = {Amphipoda, Animals, Lethal Dose 50, Nitrites, planarians, Rivers, Spain, Water Pollutants, Chemical},
	issn = {1520-4081},
	doi = {10.1002/tox.20155},
	author = {Alonso, Alvaro and Camargo, Julio A}
}
