Effects of TFM and Bayer 73 on in vivo oxygen consumption of the aquatic midge Chironomus tentans

Exposure of fourth instar larvae of Chironomus tentans to 2.0-8.0 mg/liter of TFM (3-trifluormethyl-4-nitrophenol) for 6 hr at 22 A? 0.5 C in soft water resulted in a significantly increased rate of larval oxygen consumption compared to that of control larvae, as measured with the Warburg respirometer. Maximum stimulation of oxygen consumption occurred with 8.0 mg/liter of TFM, and 1.0 mg/liter of TFM had no measurable effect on basal respiration. When hardness of exposure water was progressively increased, the effect of TFM on oxygen consumption was diminished.

Bayer 73 (5,2'-dichloro-4'-nitrosalicylanilide) stimulated oxygen consumption at 0.75 and 1.0 mg/liter, had no significant effect at concentrations less that 0.75 mg/liter, and inhibited oxygen consumption at concentrations of 1.20 mg/liter or greater.

Mixtures of TFM and Bayer 73, in the ratio of 98:2, had no greater effect on oxygen consumption than TFM alone.