Effect of Sub-Lethal Concentration of Iron on Growth and Survival of Daphnia (Müller, 1785)

Abstract

In the present study the effect of iron on growth and
survival of Daphnia (Müller, 1785) has been studied.
Neonates of Daphnia were exposed to different
water-borne iron concentrations. Although iron is
toxic at high concentrations, they are also essential
elements required for many biological processes.
Iron is a vital metal for Daphnia for normal
development and reproduction. Mass culture of
Daphnia has been done in plastic tubs. During
experiment, the effects of iron on Daphnia were
studied at an exposure equivalent to the 48 h LC50.
Based on the LC50, seven Fe2+ levels (prepared
through serial dilution from a stock solution of
5 mgL-1) for the chronic toxicity tests were selected.
These were 0, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00, 4.00 and 8.00 mg
L-1of Fe2+. The population density of Daphnia
increased with increase of sub-lethal dosages of iron
and decreased significantly at higher toxic dosages,
indicating that iron is required as micronutrients for
stimulating growth in terms of population density.