Response of Test-Organisms to Different Na and Cu Salts

Abstract The scope of this research involves the evaluation of biological impact of different Na and Cu salts (nitrates, sulphates and chlorides) on test-organisms. The toxic impact of Na and Cu salts on seed germination and root growth of Lepidium sativum (garden-cress) as well as mortality, growth and physiological parameters of On-corhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout) in early development stages (embryos and larvae) were determined. Among Na salts, nitrate was the most toxic to both test-organisms. Among tested Cu salts, sulphate caused the strongest toxic impact on L. sativum and nitrate - on embryos and larvae of O. mykiss. The accumulation of all tested anions and cations from the solutions of tested salts was higher in roots than in shoots ofL. sativum. The highest transfer of Na+ and Cu2+ from roots to shoots was determined for plants cultivated in sulphate salt. The transfer of SO4 2” was the highest among tested anions of sodium salts and the transfer of NO3” was higher among tested anions of copper salts. The rather high correlation was found between root length and amount of Na+, NO3” and SO4 2” ions in plant roots and rather low correlation coefficient was calculated between root length and the amount of Na+ and Cl” ions in roots.