The effect of aluminum in soft water at low pH on oxygen consumption by the dragonfly Libellula julia Uhler

The dragonfly Libellula julia respired at a rate lower than controls when subjected to a series of elevated aluminum and hydrogen ion concentrations spanning environmentally relevant levels. This trend was consistent at all levels but only attained significance at pH 4 with Al levels of 3.0 and 30 mg/l. Low pH alone did not depress respiratory rates as greatly as Al and low pH combined.