Effect of temperature and salinity on the toxicity of arsenic to three estuarine invertebrates (Corophium volutator, Macoma balthica, Tubiflex costatus)

Acute toxicity of pentavalent arsenic to 3 estuarine invertebrates (Corophium volutator, Macoma balthica, Tubitex costatus) has been studied at 3 temperatures (5, 10, 15OC) and a range of salinities (5 to 35 %o, in 5 %O increments), at time intervals u p to 384 h. Median survival times decreased as temperature and concentrat~on of arsenic increased, but salinity changes had no significant effect. From analysis of variance, significant factors and their interactions were ~n c l u d e d in response surface models for C. volutator and M. balthica separately. Results are compared with the limited data previously published. It is emphasized that environmental temperature should be considered when evaluating toxicity of arsenic in the estuarine environment.