Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Acute toxicity of aluminium to fish eliminated in silicon-rich acid waters

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Driscoll, C. T. Envir. Hlth Perspect 66, 93–104 (1985).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Witters, H. E. Aquat Tox. 8, 197–210 (1986).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Muniz, I. P. & Leivestad, H. Proc. Int Conf, Impact Acid Precip (Norway. SNSF Project, 1980).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Schofield, C. L. & Trojnar, J. R. in Polluted Rain (eds. S. Toribara, T. Y., Miler, M. W. & Morrow, P. E.) 341–362 (Plenum, New York, 1980).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  5. Driscoll, C. T., Baker, J. P., Bisogni, J. J. & Schofield, C. L. Nature 284, 161–164 (1980).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Baker, J. P. & Schofield, C. L. Wat Air & Soil Pollut 18, 189–309 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Iler, R. K. The Chemistry of Silica (Wiley, New York, 1979).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Farmer, V. C. Ciba Fdn Symp. 121, 4–23 (1986).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Wright, R. F. et al. Regional Surveys of Small Norwegian Lakes (SNSF Project IR33/77, Oslo, 1977).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Lou, G. & Huang, P. M. Nature 335, 625–627 (1988).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Farmer, V. C., Frazer, A. R. & Tait, J. M. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 4, 1417–1470 (1979).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. Birchall, J. D. & Chappell, J. S. Clin. Chem. 34, 265–267 (1988).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Chappell, J. S. & Birchall, J. D. Inorg. chim. Acta 153, 1–4 (1988).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Driscoll, C. T. Int J. envir. Analyt Chem. 16, 267–283 (1984).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Exley, C. & Phillips, M. J. in Recent Advances in Aquaculture (eds Muir, J. F. & Roberts, J. R.) 225–341 (Helm, London, 1988).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  16. Schwarz, K. & Milne, D. B. Nature 239, 333–334 (1972).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Carlisle, E. M. Science 178, 154–156 (1972).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Birchall, J. D. & Espie, A. W. Ciba Fdn Symp. 121, 140–159 (1986).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

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

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/338146a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing