Toxicity of peracetic acid to various species of fish

Authors: Straus, David - Dave; Ledbetter, Cynthia - Cindy; Farmer, Bradley; LIU, DIBO - Leibniz Institute Of Freshwater Ecology And Inland Fisheries; MEINELT, THOMAS - Leibniz Institute Of Freshwater Ecology And Inland Fisheries

Submitted to: Journal of the World Aquaculture Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/23/2017
Publication Date: 10/21/2017
Citation: Straus, D.L., Ledbetter, C.K., Farmer, B.D., Liu, D., Meinelt, T. 2017. Toxicity of peracetic acid to various species of fish. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12475.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12475

Interpretive Summary: Peracetic acid (PAA) is a mixture of acetic acid (concentrated vinegar) and hydrogen peroxide that is used for many purposes in industry as a disinfectant; there has been recent interest growing to use it in aquaculture. Little research has been done on the toxicity of PAA to fish. Twelve species of fingerling fish that are important to aquaculture were exposed to PAA for 24 hours in toxicity tests. Black fathead minnow were very sensitive and blue tilapia were very tolerant to PAA exposure. In addition to observing the acute toxicity values for science and research purposes, the concentration that did not cause mortality to each species was determined as this is the concentration that fish producers will be most interested in knowing. Results of the present study are important information on the safety of a new, potential disinfectant for the aquaculture industry; especially due to very low environmental impact concerns as it rapidly degrades to harmless residues.

Technical Abstract: There has been strong interest flourishing in the use of peracetic acid (PAA or peroxyacetic acid) in aquaculture as it can be used to disinfect water and treat against freshwater fish pathogens. Little research has been done on the toxicity of PAA to fish. Twelve species of fingerling fish [black fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), black-nose crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), blue gill (Lepomis macrochirus), blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas), goldfish (Carassius auratus), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), large-mouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), sunshine bass (Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis), walleye (Sander vitreus)] that are important to aquaculture were exposed to PAA for 24 h in static toxicity bioassays. Median lethal concentration (LC50) values were estimated with the trimmed Spearman-Karber method using nominal PAA concentrations. The mean 24 h LC50 values ranged from 2.8 to 9.3 mg/L PAA and the 24 h No Observed Effect Concentrations (NOEC) ranged from 1.9 to 5.8 mg/L PAA. Black fathead minnow were very sensitive and blue tilapia were very tolerant to PAA exposure; LC50 values of other species tested were within the range of 4.1 to 6.2 mg/L PAA. Results of the present study are important information on the safety of a new, potential disinfectant for the aquaculture industry; especially due to very low environmental impact concerns as it rapidly degrades to harmless residues.