In this study quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) were calculated between hydrophobicity of a group of organic chemicals with anaesthetic potency and toxicity (immobilization, mortality and inhibition of reproduction) to Daphnia magna. Differences in slopes of the high quality QSARs might be explained in terms of possible different sites of action for the three criteria of effect.The combined effects of mixtures of 5-50 chemicals on immobilization and mortality did not deviate from additivity, while the effect on reproduction deviated somewhat from it.

The toxicity to Daphnia magna of a mixture of 14 aquatic pollutants with several chemical structures and probable modes of action was determined. The joint effect of this mixture on acute mortality was compared with the effects on inhibition of reproduction. The joint toxicity in the reproduction test was lower in comparison with the mortality test. This study supports the idea that the potential for addition is reduced when more specific sublethal toxicity criteria are studied. Although the joint toxicity at sublethal level is lower than at lethal level, the toxicity of the mixtures remains much higher than that of the individual chemicals and is still near concentration addition.

To evaluate the usefulness of histopathology in aquatic toxicity testing, studies were carried out on the small freshwater fish Poecilia reticulata (guppy) following aqueous methyl mercury chloride exposure. Fish were exposed to concentrations of 0, 1.0, 1.8, 3.2, 5.6, or 10 μg/L for 1 and 3 months. Histopathological changes included the occurrence of multiple granulomas in various tissues, in particular, the integument and orbit. These changes were accompanied by hyperplasia of monocytopoietic interrenal tissue, and hepatocellular change which was confirmed by morphometry. The latter findings were probably a result of monocyte "consumption" by granulomas, and hepatic synthesis of ("stress") proteins, respectively. The bile duct and, focally, the proximal intestine, showed hyperplasia of the epithelium. In the testis of sexually mature fish (3-month study), degeneration and necrosis of sperm occurred, with severe cases exhibiting Sertoli cell hypertrophy, interstitial inflammation, and absence of mature sperm. Epidermal mucous cells disappeared in the highest concentration used, and, after 3 months, clusters of undifferentiated basophilic cells were seen in the gas gland, which occasionally were suggestive of malignant growth. The changes in the kidney tubules were characterized by degeneration and necrosis of single cells which also showed mitotic figures. This is considered a result of the mitosis-disturbing activity of methyl mercury (MeHg). It is concluded that MeHg has effects on various target organs in guppies with the occurrence of granulomas as the most sensitive indicator, yielding a no-observed-effect concentration (NOEC) of 1.0 μg/L. In contrast to mammalian species, no morphologic evidence for neurotoxicity was found.

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