THE EFFECT OF COPPER (II) ON SURVIVAL, RESPIRATION, AND HEART RATE IN THE COMMON BLUE MUSSEL, MYTILUS EDULIS

Abstract

1. The effects of Cu(II) on survival heart rate, and respiration in M. edulis have been determined. 2. Free Cu(II) is toxic to M. edulis causing respiratory and cardio-vascular depression and a toxicity threshold of 0.2 mg/l has been demonstrated. 3. Live animals can detoxify solutions of limited Cu(II) content. 4. Heat-killed homogenates are also effective in detoxifying solutions of limited Cu(II) content.