Beryllium Uptake by the Common Guppy using Radioisotope 7Be. II. Beryllium Concentration in Fish
Abstract
Two bioassays were conducted in which radioactive beryllium, Be-7, was added as a tracer to beryllium sulfate solutions in order to obtain some insight into beryllium toxicity in fish. Tracer mechanics and procedures for measuring beryllium uptake in guppies were determined in the previous phase. The bioassay data indicated that the amount of beryllium concentrated within the guppies (and fry) was influenced by the beryllium concentration in solution and by fish size (inversely), and to a less extent by exposure period, but not by fish age, buffering of the beryllium solution, or water hardness. Generally, beryllium uptake varied greatly among guppies exposed to the same environmental conditions. Examination of individual tissues and organs of six of the guppies revealed that most of the beryllium was concentrated in the viscera; beryllium uptake was highest (per total organ) in the gastrointestine and kidney of the 9 organs analyzed provisionally. These studies suggest that the lethality of beryllium in fish is not dependent upon the amount concentrated within the fish, but more likely on the effect of beryllium on a particular target organ, cellular or subcellular component. More work is required to determine the mechanism of beryllium toxicity in fish.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0758815
Entities
People
- Arnold R. Slonim
- Frederick C. Damm
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory