The Effect of Nitrilotriacetic Acid (NTA) on the Structure and Functioning of Aquatic Communities in Streams

摘要

Communities established in microcosms and ecosystem streams in a greenhouse were exposed to .02-2 mg/l NTA, a range including most expected environmental levels. Higher concentrations were used in some laboratory and screening experiments. NTA at 2 and 20 mg/l had only slight effects on algal community structure and function and 2 mg/l protected organisms from the toxic effects of approximately 100 microg Cu(++)l. Protection from the toxicity of 30 microg Cu(++)/l was also obtained in a 3 month experiment conducted in ecosystem streams with natural sediments and more complex communities.