The effects of road salt on larval life history traits and behavior in Rana temporaria

Abstract

We investigated the effects of road salt on larval life history traits in a European amphibian species, the common frog Rana temporaria. Our main finding was that tadpoles showed decreased survival and activity at increased salinities, and that a sodium chloride control lacking the toxic substance ferrocyanide found in road salt had the same effect on tadpole survival as a road salt treatment at the same concentration of 2000 mg/l. Road salt caused increased mortality even at the smallest concentration tested, 500 mg/l (304 mg/l chloride). Activity of surviving tadpoles was only impacted at a higher salt concentration (2000 mg/l). © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2011.