The use of metabolism to evaluate the toxicity of dodecil benzen sodium sulfonate (LAS-C12) on the Mugil platanus (mullet) according to the temperature and salinity

The effects of watering exposition to different concentrations of LAS-C12 (1, 2.5 and 5 mg l(-1)) about the Mugil platanus routine metabolism were evaluated. The metabolic rates were estimated through experiments accomplished in each of the twelve possible combinations of three temperatures (25, 20 and 15 degreesC) and three salinities (35, 20 and 5). The results show that the oxygen consumption increases according to the LAS-C12 concentration in all temperatures and salinities studied. At the highest concentration employed (5 mg l(-1)), and the salinity 5 in the temperatures 25 and 20 degreesC, oxygen consumption increases 80% in relation to the control. In general, the pollutant effects on oxygen consumption were more pronounced at the highest temperatures and salinities 5 and 35. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.