Metal trophic transfer from algae to cladocerans and the relative importance of dietary metal exposure.

We initially investigated effects and uptake of cadmium and copper on Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (primary producer; formerly known as Selenastrum capricornutum). Our major efforts focused on the effects of metal-laden (i.e., Cd, Cu) P. subcapitata when used to provide dietary metal exposure to Ceriodaphnia dubia (primary consumer). Major test endpoints included feeding rate, survival, and reproduction. Metal body burden in C. dubia increased dose dependently at dietary exposure concentrations of 0.6 microg/g algal dry weight or less for cadmium and 74.7 microg/g algal dry weight or less for copper. However, it decreased sharply when dietary concentrations exceeded 0.6 microg/g algal dry weight for cadmium and 74.7 microg/g algal dry weight copper. Both dietary cadmium and copper affected all the major test endpoints. Whereas reproduction was observed to be the most sensitive endpoint, survival was observed to be the least sensitive endpoint. These results demonstrated the potential importance of dietary exposure for consideration in metal regulations or risk assessment.