Cadmium-induced alterations in essential trace element homoeostasis in the tissues of scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis

Studies were performed regarding the effect of cadmium accumulation on the levels of essential elements (copper, zinc and iron) in the tissues of a marine bivalve mollusc, Mizuhopecten yessoensis, exposed to cadmium at 250 ppb during 2 weeks. It was found that the concentration of cadmium in the tissues increased in the order gonads < gills < hepatopancreas < kidney during exposure time. However, the highest value of concentration factor was recorded in the gills. Our data demonstrate that cadmium accumulation in all mollusc tissues is followed by the alterations in copper, zinc and iron concentration, but that the pattern of these changes varies with each tissue. Cadmium had the most pronounced effects on essential trace element homoeostasis in the kidney. The present study suggests that levels of the essential metals in a particular tissue can be modified depending on the level of cadmium accumulation. The possible mechanisms of the effects of cadmium on the essential trace elements are discussed.     

The effect of aluminium in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) with special emphasis on alkaline water

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr were exposed to aluminium under both steady state and non-steady state chemical conditions in alkaline water. Under alkaline (pH 9.5) steady state conditions, approximately 350 microg Al l(-1) (predominantly aluminate, Al(OH)(4)(-)) had no acute toxic effect on the salmon. The fish, however, showed a physiological response after 3 weeks of exposure ( approximately 300% increase in blood glucose concentration, about 30% increase in blood haematocrit, and about 15% decrease in plasma Cl(-) concentration). No increase in toxicity was evident under non-steady state conditions, i.e. lowering Al solubility as pH was lowered from 9.5 to 7.5. The results indicate that the toxicity of the aluminate ion (Al(OH)(4)(-)) is low, and particularly lower than the corresponding toxicity of cationic Al hydroxides. The effects observed in fish exposed to Al-rich water at pH 9.5 were counteracted as Al solubility was decreased by lowering pH to 7.5. This is contrary to previous observations where Al solubility has been lowered by increasing pH from 5.0 to 6.5.     

A comparison of cadmium-induced metallothionein gene expression and Me2+ distribution in the tissues of cadmiumsensitive (rainbow trout; Salmo gairdneri) and tolerant (stone loach; Noemacheilus barbatulus) species of freshwater fish

1. The accumulation of cadmium in the liver, kidney and gills of rainbow trout and stone loach was measured during exposure of the fish to the metal at 3 smg/l in their aquarium water. The pattern of accumulation of the toxic metal in the individual organs was different between the two species.2. The tissue concentrations of metallothionein-specific mRNA and metallothionein protein were also determined in these organs from the same fish. In rainbow trout, the induction of metallothionein gene expression resulted in a gradual increase in metallothionein concentration in gill over the course of the experiment whereas increases in metallothionein in the liver and kidney were detected only at the later time points of analysis (beyond 19 weeks). By contrast, in the same tissues from stone loach, relatively minor changes were quantified in specific mRNA and metallothionein concentrations.3. Throughout the experimental period, tissue concentrations of zinc and copper were determined in the liver, kidney and gills of the rainbow trout and stone loach. Subtle decreases were observed in the zinc concentration of gills in rainbow trout and substantial increases were observed in the hepatic copper concentrations in both species at the later time points of analysis.4. The ability of cadmium to induce metallothionein gene expression and its subsequent ability to compete for the sequestration sites on the newly-synthesized protein is discussed with regard to the relative levels of cadmium, zinc and copper in the organs studied and differing regimes of cadmium administration.     

Metallothionein as Potential Biomarker of Cadmium Exposure in Persian Sturgeon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipenser persicus</Emphasis>)

Metallothionein (MT) concentration in gills, liver, and kidney tissues of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) were determined following exposure to sublethal levels of waterborne cadmium (Cd) (50, 400, and 1,000 μg l⁻¹) after 1, 2, 4, and 14 days. The increases of MT from background levels were 4.6-, 3-, and 2.8-fold for kidney, liver, and gills, respectively. The results showed that MT level change in the kidney is time and concentration dependent. Also, cortisol measurement revealed elevation at the day 1 of exposure and followed by MT increase in the liver. Cd concentrations in the cytosol of experimental tissues were measured, and the results indicated that Cd levels in the cytosol of liver, kidney, and gills increased 240.71-, 32.05-, and 40.16-fold, respectively, 14 days after exposure to 1,000 μg l⁻¹ Cd. The accumulation of Cd in cytosol of tissues is in the order of liver > gills > kidney. Pearson correlation coefficients showed that the MT content in kidney is correlated with Cd concentration, the value of which is more than in liver and gills. Thus, kidney can be considered as a tissue indicator in A. persicus for waterborne Cd contamination.     

Deltamethrin-induced oxidative stress and biochemical changes in tissues and blood of catfish (Clarias gariepinus): antioxidant defense and role of alpha-tocopherol

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The pyrethroid class of insecticides, including deltamethrin, is being used as substitutes for organochlorines and organophosphates in pest-control programs because of their low environmental persistence and toxicity. This study was aimed to investigate the impact of commonly used pesticides (deltamethrin) on the blood and tissue oxidative stress level in catfish (Clarias gariepinus); in addition to the protective effect of alpha-tocopherol on deltamethrin induced oxidative stress. METHODS: Catfish were divided into three groups, 1st control group include 20 fish divided into two tanks each one contain 10 fish, 2nd deltamethrin group, where Fish exposed to deltamethrin in a concentration (0.75ug/l) and 3rd Vitamin E group, Fish exposed to deltamethrin and vitamin E at a dose of 12ug/l for successive 4 days. Serum, liver, kidney and Gills were collected for biochemical assays. Tissue oxidative stress biomarkers malondialdhyde (MDA) and catalase activity in liver, kidney and gills tissues, serum liver enzymes (ALT and AST), serum albumin, total protein, urea and creatinine were analysed. RESULTS: Our results showed that 48 h. exposure to 0.75 ug/l deltamethrin significantly (p<0.05) increased lipid peroxidation (MDA) in the liver, kidney and gills while catalase activity was significantly decreased in the same tissues. This accompanied by significant increase in serum ALT, AST activity, urea and creatinine and a marked decrease in serum albumin and total proteins. CONCLUSIONS: It could be concluded that deltamethrin is highly toxic to catfish even in very low concentration (0.75 ug/l). Moreover the effect of deltamethrin was pronounced in the liver of catfish in comparison with kidneys and gills. Moreover fish antioxidants and oxidative stress could be used as biomarkers for aquatic pollution, thus helping in the diagnosis of pollution. Adminstration of 12 ug/l alpha-tocopherol restored the quantified tissue and serum parameters, so supplementation of alpha-tocopherol consider an effective way to counter the toxicity of deltamethrin in the catfish.     

Effects of arsenic (As) exposure on the antioxidant status of gills of the zebrafish Danio rerio (Cyprinidae)

In fishes, arsenic (As) is absorbed via the gills and is capable of causing disturbance to the antioxidant system. The objective of present study was to evaluate antioxidant responses after As exposure in gills of zebrafish (Danio rerio, Cyprinidae). Fish were exposed for 48 h to three concentration of As, including the highest As concentration allowed by current Brazilian legislation (10 μg As/L). A control group was exposed to tap water (pH 8.0; 26 °C; 7.20 mg O₂/L). As exposure resulted in (1) an increase (p < 0.05) of glutathione (GSH) levels after exposure to 10 and 100 μg As/L, (2) an increase of the glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) activity in the same concentrations (p < 0.05), (3) no significant differences in terms of glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase and catalase activities; (4) a significantly lower (p < 0.05) oxygen consumption after exposure to 100 μg As/L; (4) no differences in terms of oxygen reactive species generation and lipid peroxidation content (p > 0,05). In the gills, only inorganic As was detected. Overall, it can be concluded that As affected the antioxidant responses increasing GCL activity and GSH levels, even at concentration considered safe by Brazilian legislation.     

Cd, Cu, Zn, Se, and Metallothioneins in Two Amphibians, Necturus maculosus (Amphibia, Caudata) and Bufo bufo (Amphibia, Anura)

The accumulation of cadmium, its affinity for metallothioneins (MTs), and its relation to copper, zinc, and selenium were investigated in the experimental mudpuppy Necturus maculosus and the common toad Bufo bufo captured in nature. Specimens of N. maculosus were exposed to waterborne Cd (85???g/L) for up to 40?days. Exposure resulted in tissue-dependent accumulation of Cd in the order kidney, gills > intestine, liver, brain > pancreas, skin, spleen, and gonads. During the 40-day exposure, concentrations increased close to 1???g/g in kidneys and gills (0.64?C0.95 and 0.52?C0.76; n?=?4), whereas the levels stayed below 0.5 in liver (0.14?C0.29; n?=?4) and other organs. Cd exposure was accompanied by an increase of Zn and Cu in kidneys and Zn in skin, while a decrease of Cu was observed in muscles and skin. Cytosol metallothioneins (MTs) were detected as Cu,Zn?Cthioneins in liver and Zn,Cu?Cthioneins in gills and kidney, with the presence of Se in all cases. After exposure, Cd binding to MTs was clearly observed in cytosol of gills as Zn,Cu,Cd?Cthionein and in pellet extract of kidneys as Zn,Cu,Cd?Cthioneins. The results indicate low Cd storage in liver with almost undetectable Cd in liver MT fractions. In field trapped Bufo bufo (spring and autumn animals), Cd levels were followed in four organs and found to be in the order kidney > liver (0.56?C5.0???g/g >0.03?C0.72???g/g; n?=?11, spring and autumn animals), with no detectable Cd in muscle and skin. At the tissue level, high positive correlations between Cd, Cu, and Se were found in liver (all r?>?0.80; ???=?0.05, n?=?5), and between Cd and Se in kidney (r?=?0.76; n?=?5) of autumn animals, possibly connected with the storage of excess elements in biologically inert forms. In the liver of spring animals, having higher tissue level of Cd than autumn ones, part of the Cd was identified as Cu,Zn,Cd?Cthioneins with traces of Se. As both species are special in having liver Cu levels higher than Zn, the observed highly preferential Cd load in kidney seems reasonable. The relatively low Cd found in liver can be attributed to its excretion through bile and its inability to displace Cu from MTs. The associations of selenium observed with Cd and/or Cu (on the tissue and cell level) point to selenium involvement in the detoxification of excessive cadmium and copper through immobilization.     

Mucous cell responses in gill and skin of brown trout Salmo trutta fario in acidic, aluminium-containing stream water

Morphometric examination was carried out on the gills and skin of wild and caged hatchery brown trout Salmo trutta fario in an acidic (pH 4.9 to 5.4; Al 203 to 250 microg l(-1)) and in a non-acidic (pH 6.7 to 7.0; Al 27 to 67 microg l(-1)) stream in the Vosges Mountains (NE France) to assess the sublethal effects of acidic water on the mucous cell response. The caged fish were randomly collected after 2, 4, 7 and 11 d and the wild fish were obtained by electrofishing. After 2 d, a reduction of both mucous cell (MC) number and size was observed in the gills of fish held in the acidic stream, suggesting a massive mucus discharge. Hyperplasia and hypertrophy of cells immediately followed this mucus secretion. In the same fish population, skin examination showed a slight and delayed decrease of MC number but a significant increase of cell size. The number of mucous cells of gills and skin was similar in both wild trout populations, whereas a significant MC hypertrophy was observed in the wild fish of the acidic stream. The present field experiment indicates that caged fish could be useful as early indicators of acidification. In addition, the examination of wild populations suggested the occurrence of adaptive mechanisms, information that might be of importance in the context of river recovery programs.     

Mechanisms of aluminium extraction and accumulation at the gills of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in acidic soft water

Rainbow trout were fitted with latex masks for the measurement of ventilatory flow rate (V?_w) and with opercular catheters for sampling expired water from close to the branchial surface. Fish were exposed for 6 h to pH 5.1, 4.7 or 4.1 in the presence (138 μg l ¹) or nominal absence (1 μg 1^–1) of Al. Inspired and expired Al concentrations and water pH were measured via the opercular catheters. Gills were sampled for accumulated Al at the end of the experiments. V?_w increased during Al exposures at all three pHs. However, in the absence of Al, V?_w increased only at pH 4.1. Aluminium extraction from the water and Al accumulation on the gills were highest at inspired pH 5.1 and lowest at pH 4.1, and correlated well with expired pH, which was 0.2–0.7 pH units higher than inspired pH. Gill Al accumulations amounted to only about one-tenth of deposition calculated from Al extraction from the water and V?_w, and gill Al was tightly bound to the branchial surface. Calculations of Al solubility, oversaturation, and species composition were made using measured expired pH values, and were compared with Al extraction from the water and measured gill Al concentrations. In general, these analyses indicated that reduced Al solubility near the gills is a reasonable explanation of Al extraction from the water, and that Al(OH)₂⁺ and Al(OH)₃° are the Al species most likely to interact initially at the gills. It is suggested that mucus sloughing removes most precipitated Al, and that only the charged form persists, bound to structural elements on the gill surface. A model incorporating these results, and pH changes in the fish gill micro-environment in general, is presented to explain previously-reported ionoregulatory and respiratory effects of Al.     

Damage to the gills and integument of Litoria fallax larvae (Amphibia: Anura) associated with ionoregulatory disturbance at low pH

In fish, exposure to waters of low pH causes significant damage to the gill resulting in fatal iono- and osmoregulatory disturbance. In amphibians, exposure to acid waters also disrupts ionic homeostasis, however the extent and nature of injuries to amphibian larvae from acid exposure are poorly understood. Changes in gross morphology and ultrastructure of the gills and integument were examined, together with measures of Na⁺ efflux/uptake, in larval Litoria fallax (Amphibia: Anura) following acute acid exposure. Examination of tissues revealed significant changes in morphology and ultrastructure of both gills and the integument following acutely lethal exposure to low pH water. Changes to the gills of acid-exposed L. fallax larvae included lifting of the branchial epithelium and opening of tight junctions between pavement cells (with a consequent reduction in tight junction length). Damage to epithelial cell–cell tight junctions was also apparent at the integument along with widespread oncosis and localised epithelial necrosis. Mucous secretory activity at the gills and body surface was largely unaffected by acid exposure, with little or no difference in density, cross-sectional area and number of epithelial mucous secretory vesicles in acid-exposed and control larvae. Changes in morphology and ultrastructure at low pH were accompanied by significant Na⁺ loss (up to 50% of the total body Na⁺ content) attributable in large part to increased paracellular ionic efflux across the gills as well as increased transcellular and paracellular efflux of ions across the integument.     

Comparative study of the genotoxic response of freshwater mussels Unio tumidus and Unio pictorum to environmental stress

Genotoxic response of freshwater mussels U. tumidus and U. pictorum to environmental stress was studied using comet assay on hemocytes and gill cells. The mussels were acclimated to controlled laboratory conditions for 10 days, and then exposed at 4 sites in the Sava and Danube rivers in the area of the city of Belgrade. Samples of each species were taken after 7, 14, and 30 days of exposure. The mussels sampled immediately after acclimation served as controls. Genotoxic response in both species was induced earlier at sites receiving untreated wastewaters from the city’s main collectors (7 days), than at the site receiving only domestic wastewaters from small settlements located upstream from the city (30 days). There was a correlation between the comet tail intensity values in tissues of exposed mussels and the concentrations of zinc, copper, iron, and arsenic at the exposure sites. The genotoxic responses in both tissues of U. pictorum and in hemocytes of U. tumidus were similar, while U. tumidus gill cells failed to exhibit significant genotoxic response at two sites. These findings, together with higher mortality of U. tumidus at the most polluted sites, promote U. pictorum as a model for genotoxicity monitoring in freshwater environments.     

Bioaccumulation and distribution of mercury in the hard clam,Meretrix lusoria (Bivalvia:Veneidae)

1. Total mercury concentration in whole soft parts of the hard clam, Meretrix lusoria, increased significantly with increasing exposure concentrations. It reached 4.247–7.084 and 9.956–13.643 μg T-Hg/g dry weight in 5 and 50 μg/l Hg mercury solution, respectively, against a background level of 1.824–0.577μg T-Hg/g dry weight.2. Bioconcentration factor was 4–6 times higher in 5 μg/l Hg than that of 50 μg/l Hg. An estimated biological half-life of 20.2 and 18.4 days in 5 and 50 μg/l Hg, respectively, were also obtained after 14 days uptake.3. Accumulation of mercury in tissues of the clams was greater in the gills and viscera than in the mantle, adductor, foot, or hemolymph.4. The amount of mercury present in the gills is related to be a linear relationship with the mercury content of viscera.     

Dietary Ca inhibits waterborne Cd uptake in Cd-exposed rainbow trout, Oncorhynchusmykiss

The effects of chronic exposure to waterborne Cd and elevated dietary Ca, alone and in combination, were examined in juvenile rainbow trout, Oncorhynchusmykiss. Fish were chronically exposed to 0.05 (control) or 2.56 μg/l Cd [as Cd(NO₃)₂·4H₂O] and were fed 2% body mass/day of control (29.6 mg Ca/g) or Ca-supplemented trout food (52.8 mg Ca/g as CaCl₂·2H₂O). Cd accumulated mainly in gill, liver, and kidney. Waterborne Cd inhibited unidirectional Ca uptake from water into the gill and induced hypocalcemia in the plasma on day 40. Waterborne Cd also induced an elevated Ca concentration on day 20 in the gill tissue of trout fed the Ca-supplemented diet and a decreased Ca concentration on day 35 in the gills of trout fed the control diet. Dietary Ca protected against Cd accumulation in gill, liver, and kidney, but did not protect against the inhibition of Ca uptake into the gill or plasma hypocalcemia. When fed Ca-supplemented diet and exposed to waterborne Cd, fish showed 35% mortality, compared to 0–2% in control fish and in the Cd-exposed fish with normal Ca in the diet. Growth, on the other hand, was not affected by any treatment.     

Accumulation and effects of aluminium in the minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus L.) at different pH levels

The accumulation and effects of 150 pg All^-1 on minnows ( Phoxinus phoxinus L.) were studied in soft water at pH 7, 6 and 5. The fish were kept in a flow-through water system for up to 48 days. Addition of aluminium to the water resulted in poor appetite, passivity and a tendency for the fish to gather as far as possible from the aluminium inlet. The mortality was high at pH 5 and also after addition of aluminium at pH 6. Severe lesions were noted in the gills and olfactory organs after exposure to aluminium. The concentration of aluminium in the gills, liver and kidney was increased at low pH. A large proportion of the aluminium was located on the surface of the gill epithelium. The recovery capacity was pronounced when the aluminium exposure was terminated and the pH was increased from 5 to 7. No further mortality occurred and gill and olfactory organ structure returned to near normality in about 36 days.     

Accumulation and excretion of aluminium and iron by the terrestrial snail Helix aspersa

1. The snail Helix aspersa was fed one 24 hr meal containing Al, Fe or both together in barley flour pellets. Accumulation and distribution within the digestive gland, kidney, crop and remaining soft tissues were examined over the subsequent 30 days using atomic absorption spectroscopy (A.A.S.).2. The digestive gland contained significantly (P < 0.05) elevated levels of Al and Fe for 8 and 12 days. The digestive gland is the major sink for both Al and Fe in Helix.3. The kidney rapidly accumulated Al and Fe but the increase was short-lived. The kidney may therefore be involved in the elimination of metal not incorporated into the digestive gland.4. Iron was absorbed by the crop but Al was not. This may indicate a route of uptake of Fe into the digestive gland not shared with Al.5. No obvious pattern of accumulation of Al and Fe were seen in the remaining soft tissues or the blood of Helix.6. Aluminium is present in the faeces for 12 days suggesting that Al is released relatively slowly.7. Presence of both Al and Fe in the feed induced a change in the pattern of accumulation in the digestive gland but not in the kidney, crop and remaining soft tissues.8. The distribution of Al is discussed in relation to the suggestion that Al follows the ferretin pathway during accumulation.     

Silicon amelioration of aluminium toxicity and cell death in suspension cultures of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.)

A role for silicon (Si) in the amelioration of aluminium (Al) toxicity in gymnosperms is suggested by their codeposition in planta, including within needles. This study was designed to investigate Al/Si interactions at the cellular level using suspension cultures of Norway spruce. Toxic effects of Al were dependent on duration of Al exposure, concentration of Al, and pH. Toxicity was reduced when Si was present, and the effect was enhanced at pH 5.0 compared to pH 4.2. Study of the ultrastructure of Al-treated cells indicated that changes in cell wall thickening, degree of vacuolation, and the degeneration of mitochondria, Golgi bodies, ER and nucleus preceded cell death, and significant amelioration was noted when Si was also present. When the fluorescent dye Morin was employed to localise free Al, cells treated with Al and Si in combination showed less fluorescence than the cells treated with Al alone. Intensity of fluorescence depended on the concentration of Al, duration of treatment and pH. Notably, presence of Si reduced the concentration of free Al in the cell wall in parallel with amelioration of Al toxicity. We therefore propose that formation of aluminosilicate complexes in the wall and apoplasm provide a significant barrier to Al penetration and cell damage in Norway spruce.     

Effects of aluminum on the energetic substrates in neotropical freshwater Astyanax bimaculatus (Teleostei: Characidae) females

We investigated the effects of acidic pH and acute aluminum (Al) exposure on the metabolic substrates of Astyanax bimaculatus, and on the ability of these animals to recover in clean water. After an acclimation period, sexually mature A. bimaculatus females were sorted into six glass aquaria with three experimental groups: control in neutral pH (7.0), acidic pH (5.5), and Al (0.5 mg·L^− 1) in acidic pH (5.5). After a 96 h treatment, 10 animals from each experimental group were sampled and the rest were returned to clean water in neutral pH without Al for a recovery period of 96 h. The acidic pH, either alone or combined with Al, decreased T4 levels, whereas Al exposure increased T3 levels. Recovery of T3 levels occurred after 96 h. Al exposure decreased ovary and plasma proteins, muscle glycogen contents, and hepatic lipids due to lipoperoxidation. In the recovery phase, lipids decreased in most tissues, probably to re-establish ovary protein and hepatic glycogen. A. bimaculatus prioritized the use of energetic resources during acclimatization to Al instead of prioritizing reproduction, thereby avoiding the ovulation of impaired eggs.     

The effect of humic substances on the toxicity of aluminium to adult rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

Some physiological parameters were measured in adult rainbow trout during a 10-day exposure to 180 μg Al_total l⁻¹ in acid water (pH 4.7) with or without humic substances (10 mg l⁻). The fish were acclimatized to pH 5.0 for 7 days prior to the experimental treatments.
Chemical analyses revealed that, in the presence of human substances, 74–80% of the A1 was organic bound, while in the absence of humic substances most of the Al(987percnt;) occurred in the inorganic form.
Al bound to humic substances (13–150 μg l⁻¹) did not alter the plasma NaCl-concentration, nor the haematocrit value, of rainbow trout during an exposure period of 10 days. This contrasts with the high death rate obtained within 2–3 days when most of the A1 (175 μg l⁻¹) was in the inorganic form. The lethality was accompanied by a 25% decrease in the plasmaconcentration of NaCl and a doubling of the haematocrit value. Bulk analysis revealed that when the metal was present in inorganic forms the total Al content of the gills (75 μg A1 g⁻¹ wet weight) was 15 times higher than when it was present as bound to the humic substances. These experiments showed that the accumulation of A1 at the gills was accompanied by physiological disturbances, both being a function of the chemical speciation of Al.     

金鱼(Carassius auratus)鳃对颗粒吸附态铅的吸收

研究了金鱼（Ｃａｒａｓｓｉｕｓ ａｕｒａｔｕｓ）鳃在悬浮水铝矿吸附态Ｐｂ暴露实验中对Ｐｂ吸收过程,结果表明,在保持水中游离态Ｐｂ浓度不变（０．１ｍｇ．Ｌ＾－１）、吸附态Ｐｂ浓度增加的条件下,鳃中Ｐｂ,Ａｌ浓度均随暴露浓度增加而增加,血液中Ｐｂ浓度随鳃中Ｐｂ浓度的增加率（直线斜率０．１７１）低于溶解态Ｐｂ、暴露实验的增加率（直线斜率０．３４３）,附着鳃上的部分Ｐｂ未移转至血液中,鳃中Ｐｂ／Ａｌ比较水     

The effect of aluminum exposure on root respiration in an aluminum-sensitive and an aluminum-tolerant cultivar of Triticum aestivum

The effects of aluminum (Al) exposure on intact root respiration of an Al-sensitive (Scout-66) and an Al-tolerant (Atlas-66) cultivar of Triticum aestivum were investigated. Exposure to a wide range of Al concentrations (0–900 μmol) for 4 days stimulated respiration along the energy-conserving cytochrome pathway in both cultivars and increased the ratio of maintenance respiration to growth respiration. The maximum rate of Scout-66 root respiration occurred after exposure to 100–200 μmol Al. Atlas-66 root respiration peaked after exposure to 300–400 μmol Al. Similarly, calculations of theoretical adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) production indicated that maximum daily rate of ATP production also increased upon exposure to Al in both cultivars, with peak ATP production occurring during peak respiration. Maximum root respiration rates in both cultivars were related to the Al concentration that inhibited root growth. Temporal exposure to 200 μmol Al quickly stopped root growth and stimulated cytochrome pathway respiration in Scout-66 after 4 days. Atlas-66 root growth and respiration were unaffected by 200 μmol Al. These results suggest that Al exposure imposes a demand for additional metabolic energy. A model describing Al effects on root respiration is presented