The effect of temperature and salinity on copper body-burden and copper toxicity to Hediste (Nereis) diversicolor.
Temperature from 12 to 22°C and salinity from 30.5 to 7.6‰ increased accumulation of copper in Hediste diversicolor. Copper accumulated ranged from 85.83 to 217.14 μg g(-1). Sediments reduced accumulation of copper under temperature-salinity combinations. Accumulated copper ranged from 90.19 to 153.26 μg g(-1).However, mortality of the worms was not solely dependent upon copper body-burden. It ranged from 34 to 45% and from 38 to 80% in the presence of sediment. A combination of osmoregulatory and thermal stresses increased the toxic effect of copper to the worms.
Institute of Estuarin and Coastal Studies, School of Life Sciences, University of Hull, HU6 7RX, England.
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