Abstract
Three experiments with a sabellid polychaete (Eudistylia vancouveri) show the threshold concentration for increasing copper accumulation with time to lie between 3 and 6 μg/L total copper in seawater during winter conditions. The branchial crown, probably the major absorptive site, concentrated more copper than the body. Accumulation was influenced by size but not by sex. Our studies indicate that the body burden of copper will increase above natural levels in areas of industrial discharge where copper levels are above the threshold limit for accumulation.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adelstein, S. J., and B. L. Vallee: Copper.In: C. L. Comar and F. Bronner (ed.): Mineral Metabolism, An Advanced Treatise. Vol. IIB, New York: Academic Press (1962).
American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, and Water Pollution Control Federation: Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 13th Ed. Washington, D.C. 874 p. (1971).
Andrew, R. W., K. E. Biesinger, and G. E. Glass: Effects of inorganic complexing on the toxicity of copper toDaphnia magna. Water Res.11, 309 (1977).
Biesinger, K. E., R. W. Andrew and J. W. Arthur: Chronic toxicity of NTA (nitrilotriacetate) and metal-NTA complexes toDaphnia magna. J. Fish. Res. Bd. Can.31, 486 (1974).
Bowen, H. J. M.: Trace Elements in Biochemistry. New York: Academic Press. 241 p. (1966).
Brown, V. M.: Concepts and outlook in testing the toxicity of substances to fish.In: G. E. Glass (ed.): Bioassay Techniques and Environmental Chemistry. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Ann Arbor Science Publishers, Inc. (1973).
Bryan, G. W.: Some aspects of heavy metal tolerance in aquatic organisms.In: A. P. M. Lockwood (ed.): Effects of Pollutants on Aquatic Organisms. Cambridge, G. B.: Cambridge University Press (1976).
Committee on Medical and Biologic Effects of Environmental Pollutants: Medical and Biologic Effects of Environmental Pollutants: Copper. Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Sciences 115 p. (1977).
Davey, E. W., M. J. Morgan, and S. J. Erickson: A biological measurement on the copper complexation capacity of seawater. Limnol. Oceanog.18, 993 (1973).
Hellebust, J. A.: Excretion of organic compounds by cultured and natural populations of marine phytoplankton.In: G. H. Lauff (ed.): Estuaries. Washington, D.C: AAAS Publication No. 83 (1967).
Lewis, A. G., P. H. Whitfield, and A. Ramnarine: Some particulate and soluble agents affecting the relationship between metal toxicity and organism survival in the calanoid copepodEuchaeta japonica. Mar. Biol.17, 315 (1972).
—, —, and —: The reduction of copper toxicity in a marine copepod by sediment extract. Limnol. Oceanog.18, 324 (1973).
Mahler, H. R.: Interrelationships with enzymes.In: C. L. Comar and F. Bonner (ed.): Mineral Metabolism, An Advanced Treatise. Vol. IB, New York: Academic Press (1961).
Malkin, R., and B. G. Malmstrom: The state of function of copper in biological systems.In: F. F. Nord (ed.): Advances in enzymology and related areas of molecular biology. New York: Interscience Publishers (1970).
May, D. R., and G. M. Brown, Jr: Allantoinase fromEudistylia vancouveri (Polychaeta): Activation and inhibition by heavy metals. 1972 Research in Fisheries. College of Fisheries Contribution 375, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (1973).
McKee, J. E., and H. W. Wolf (ed.): Water quality criteria. 2nd ed., Resource Agency of California State Water Quality Control Board, Publication No. 3-A: 548 p. (1963).
Moore, M. W., and A. R. D. Stebbing: The quantitative cytochemical effects of three metal ions on a lysosomal hydrolase of a hydroid. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. U.K.56, 995 (1976).
Morris, O. P., and G. Russell: Effect of chelation on toxicity of copper. Mar. Pollut. Bull.4, 159 (1973).
Seelinger, V., and P. Edwards: Correlation coefficients and concentration factors of copper and lead in seawater and benthic algae. Mar. Pollut. Bull.8, 16 (1977).
Stebbing, A. R. D.: The effect of low metal levels on a colonial hydroid. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc., U.K.56, 977 (1976).
Sunda, W., and R. R. L. Guillard: The relationship between cupric ion activity and the toxicity of copper to phytoplankton. J. Mar. Res.34, 511 (1976).
Wells, G. P.: On the behavior ofSabella. Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond.138, 278 (1951).
Whitfield, P. H., and A. G. Lewis: Control of the biological availability of trace metals to a calanoid copepod in a coastal fjord. Estuar. Coast. Mar. Sci.4, 255 (1976).
Young, D. R., D. J. McDermott, T. C. Heeson, and T. K. Jan: Pollutant inputs and distributions off Southern California.In: T. M. Church (ed.): Marine Chemistry in the Coastal Environment. ACS Symposium Series 18. Washington, D.C.: American Chemical Society (1975).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Young, J.S., Buschbom, R.L., Gurtisen, J.M. et al. Effects of copper on the sabellid polychaete,Eudistylia vancouveri: I. Concentration limits for copper accumulation. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 8, 97–106 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055144
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055144