Abstract
AN increased level of aluminium in acidified natural waters is a primary cause of fish death from damage to gill epithelia and loss of osmoregulatory capacity1–4. Aluminium toxicity depends on the species of aluminium present (cationic, neutral or anionic) and hence is affected by pH and the presence of complexing ligands, such as fluoride, and organic material, such as humic acid, which may ameliorate aluminium toxicity5,6. But silicic acid, Si(OH) 4, present in natural waters as a consequence of the weathering of the aluminosilicates of rocks and soil minerals, has a strong and unique affinity for aluminium7, although its influence on toxicity has not been investigated. Here we show that, with an excess of Si over Al and with the formation of hydroxy-aluminosilicate species, the bioavailability of aluminium at pH 5 is reduced and acute toxicity is eliminated. Silicic acid concentration should therefore be considered as a key parameter in toxicity studies and could be important for the treatment of vulnerable waters.
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Birchall, J., Exley, C., Chappell, J. et al. Acute toxicity of aluminium to fish eliminated in silicon-rich acid waters. Nature 338, 146–148 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/338146a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/338146a0
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