The acute toxicity of dissolved elemental phosphorus to cod (Gadus morhua)

Abstract The acute toxicity of dissolved elemental phosphorus to cod ( Gadus morhua ) has been investigated in the absence of colloidal phosphorus. The 48 h lc 50 for dissolved elemental phosphorus is 14·4 μg l −1 , and evidence is presented that the incipient lethal level is ca. 1–2 μg l −1 . Elemental phosphorus was rapidly assimilated into the body tissues of the test animals. The distribution of phosphorus was homogeneous in the muscle tissue with levels ca. 10–30 times the exposure level, highest concentrations were measured in the liver. Preliminary data are reported which indicate that the biological half life of accumulated elemental phosphorus is very short when exposure is ended.