Ecobiological study of Artemia salina L. and first determination of the toxicity of ammonium sulphate

Abstract The objective of this work is firstly an ecobiological study, which aims to determine whether salinity is favorable for a good reproduction rate of cysts in the Artemia salina L., a species known for its use in aquaculture. Secondly, a short-term test of ammonium sulfate toxicity on its vitality is carried out as its environment is permanently subjected to sulphate-laden waste. The work consists of subjecting the species to different salinities in order to produce a good yield in cysts, which once recovered, hatching and breeding is maintained until individuals reach the adult stage. A toxicological study using toxicity test (CL50) is then conducted to study the resistance of these adults with various concentrations of ammonium sulphate. The results obtained from the ecobiological study show a mean similar to the natural environment (p > 0.05) with a favorable concentration for the reproduction of the species at a salinity of about 75 g dm−3. The toxicity test indicates a CL50 equal to 75 mg dm−3 after 24 hours. It is obvious that Artemia salina L. can be cultivated by controlling its reproduction by varying the salinity rate for its use during different seasons of the year, thus ammonium sulphate from waste is considered as a limiting factor.