Experiment for the Determination of Acute Toxicity of Ammoniain Juvenile Patagonian Blenny (Eleginops maclovinus)

Deionized ammonium (NH3) acute toxicity (LC50-96h) in Patagonian blenny juveniles (Eleginops
maclovinus) was assessed. Concentrations of deionized ammonium in salt water were prepared by
using 24.09 ± 2.1 g ammonium chloride (NH4Cl). Fish were exposed in triplicates to different
ammonium concentrations: 0.05; 0.094; 0.175; 0.325 and 0.605 mg NH3 L-1. Additionally, a control
group was included. Experimental fish were kept at a photoperiod of 16:8h. Average temperatures
were 16.24 ± 1.40°C. Oxygen concentration was 7.16 ± 0.40 mg L-1. Water pH was 7.89 ± 0.2. LC50-
96 h, was estimated by using Probit statistical method (95% intervals) using EPA software (1993).
Juveniles of E. maclovinus showed a LC50-96h of 0.413 mg NH3 L-1 value, different from most marine
species. This study presents the first record of ammonia toxicity in marine species of Chile.