Temperature,pH, salinity,hardness, and particulates mediate nickel toxicity to eubacteria,an actinomycete,and yeasts in lake,simulated estuarine,and sea waters

The survival of some eubacteria, an actinomycete, and yeasts after acute and chronic exposures to nickel (Ni) in lake, simulated estuarine, and sea waters and the influence of environmental factors on Ni toxicity were determined. Nickel toxicity to microbes in marine systems was reduced by increasing the salinity, by decreasing the temperature, and by the incorporation of simulated sediment. The toxicity of Ni to microbes in fresh water was reduced by increasing the pH, by increasing the hardness, and by the incorporation of suspended particulates. Chronic toxicity studies indicated that fresh waters are more sensitive than marine waters to Ni pollution, as microbial survival was greater in marine than in fresh waters stressed with equivalent concentrations of Ni.