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Respiratory impairment by water-borne copper and zinc in the edible crab cancer pagurus (L.) (Crustacea: Decapoda) during hypoxic exposure

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Abstract

Specimens of the edible crab Cancer pagurus (L.) collected in the Skagerrak, Denmark, between June and August 1990 were examined in the laboratory. Impairment of respiratory function after pre-exposure (7 d) to sub-lethal concentrations of Cu and Zn (0.4 mg l-1) was only detectable during hypoxic exposure [PO2 (partial pressure of oxygen) =60 torr]. This was indicated by a decrease in the transfer factor (TO2), due principally to an increase in the PO2 differential across the gills. Cu and Zn exposure did not cause significant changes in ventilation or perfusion although there was some indication that cardiac output may increase in respiratory-impaired individuals. After 28 d exposure no difference was noted in the respiratory responses to hypoxia of treated and untreated crabs. It is concluded that respiratory impairment was due to an increase in the diffusion barrier thickness at the gills and that this was reversible even during continued exposure to trace metal contamination.

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Author notes

  1. John I. Spicer

    Present address: Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, S10 2UQ, Sheffield, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoophysiology, University of Aarhus, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark

    John I. Spicer & Roy E. Weber

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  1. John I. Spicer
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  2. Roy E. Weber
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Communicated by T. Fenchel, Helsingør

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Spicer, J.I., Weber, R.E. Respiratory impairment by water-borne copper and zinc in the edible crab cancer pagurus (L.) (Crustacea: Decapoda) during hypoxic exposure. Marine Biology 112, 429–435 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00356288

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