title: Disruption of circulatory and respiratory activity in shore crabs (Carcinus maenas (L)) exposed to heavy metal pollution.
abstract: Cardiac and respiratory activity of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas (L.), were disrupted following exposure to heavy metal ions. Exposure to 3 mg l-1 copper ions induced continuous, uninterrupted heart beat in quiescent, undisturbed crabs. Copper ions (10 mg l-1) suppressed cardiac activity and oxygen consumption within 2 hr. Alternating periods of bradycardia and tachycardia were observed together with marked changes in impedance cardiograph trace height. Similar, but more pronounced changes were seen following exposure to 1 mg l-1 mercury ions. Median perfusion index was 100 ml blood ml O2(-1) (range 58-114 ml blood ml O2(-1)) prior to pollution, but increased to peak values within the range 90-220 ml O2(-1) following exposure to copper or mercury. The effects of exposure to copper were transient and largely reversible. Exposure to mercury resulted in 100% mortality 24-48 hr after initial contamination. Death was apparently associated with loss of the osmoregulatory ability of these crabs.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003386:Brachyura / Q000502:physiology*; D003300:Copper / Q000633:toxicity; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D008628:Mercury / Q000633:toxicity; D008670:Metals / Q000633:toxicity*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects*; D012623:Seawater; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014873:Water Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003300:Copper; D008628:Mercury