EFFECTS OF COPPER ON AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS - A REVIEW

Mahmood  Hossain; Md. Golam  Rakkibu

doi:10.53808/KUS.1999.1.2.259-266-Ls

EFFECTS OF COPPER ON AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS - A REVIEW

Authors

Mahmood Hossain Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh
Md. Golam Rakkibu Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53808/KUS.1999.1.2.259-266-Ls

Keywords:

Copper; Heavy metals; Pollution; Accumulation; Aquatic ecosystem

Abstract

Impact of metal pollution has become alarming with the increasing industrialization. Copper is the most extensively used metal among other heavy metals. Copper and its alloys are being used almost in every industrial activity and also in our daily life. Copper as a micro-nutrient is essential for all living organisms at lower concentration for their optimal growth and development. But, copper in excess amount than required becomes toxic and the impact is more severe to the aquatic environment. In comparison to freshwater fishes and invertebrate, aquatic plants are equally or less sensitive to copper. Surface water systems should be managed and protected from pollution for the protection of fishes, invertebrates and to ensure aquatic plant survivability. Metal uptake rates will vary according to the organisms and the metal forms in the aquatic systems. The mechanisms of copper toxicity and storage are diverse as they vary with organisms and mode of uptake. Slightly elevated copper level in natural waters may cause sublethal effects in aquatic organisms such as histological or morphological changes in tissues, suppression of growth and development, poor swimming performance, change in bio-chemistry, change in behavior and change in reproduction. This paper mainly concentrates on recent development in the study of toxic metal (copper) species in the aquatic environment and its availability to the aquatic organisms and plants.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adriano, D. C., 1986. Trace Element in the Terrestrial Environment, 1st Edn. Springer Verlag, New York, 533 pp.

Ayyavoo, M., 1995. Heavy Metal Study of Poomphuhar Sea Coast. In: A. Gautam and N. K. Agarwal (eds.), Recent Researches in Aquatic Environment. Daya Publishing House, New Delhi, pp 107-118.

Batey, T, C. Berryman and C. Line., 1972. The disposal of copper enriched Pig manure slurry on grassland. Journal of Brazilian Grassland Society, 27:139-143.

Boon, D.D., 1973. Iron, Zinc, Manganese and Copper concentration in body meat of the crab, Callinectus sapidus Chesapeake. Science, 14(2): 143-144

Calabrese, A., Collier, R.S. Nelson, D.A. and Maclnees. J.R., 1973. The toxicity of heavy metals to embryos of American oyster Crassostrea virginica. Marine Biology, 18: 162-166.

Connell, D.W. and Miller, G.J., 1984. Chemistry and Ecotoxicology of Pollution. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 428 pp.

D'Agostino, A and Finney. C., 1974. The effect of copper and cadmium on the development of Tigriopus japonicus. In: F.J. Vernberg and W.B. Vernberg (eds.), Pollution and physiology of marine organisms. Academic Press, New York, pp. 445-464.

Fergusson, J.E., 1990. The Heavy Elements: Chemistry, Environmental Impact and Health Effect, 1st Edn. Pergamon Press, Elmsford, New York, USA, 614p.

Forstner, U. and Wittmann, G.T.W., 1983. Metal Pollution in the Aquatic Environment, 2nd Edn. Springer-Verlag, New York, 356 pp.

Gerhardt, A., 1995. Effects of metals on stream invertebrates. Doctoral Thesis, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.

Golbderg, E.D., 1963. The ocean as a chemical system. In: M.N. Hill (ed.), The sea, Vol. 2. Interscience, London, pp. 3-26.

Haslam, M.S., 1991. River Pollution an Ecological Perspective. Belhaven Press, London, 253 pp.

Hellawell, J.M., 1986. Biological Indicators of Freshwater Pollution and Environmental Management. Elsevier Applied Science Publishers, London, 320 pp.

Hossain, M., Saberi, O., Bujang, J.S. and Tsai, L.M., (In press). Distribution of copper in Sepang mangrove reserve forest environment, Malaysia. Journal of Tropical Forest Science.

Kennish, M.J., 1992. Ecology of Estuaries: Anthropogenic Effects. CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, FL., 344 pp.

Lang, W.H., Miller, D.C., Ritacco, P.J. and Marcy, M., 1981. The effects of copper and cadmium on the behavior and development of barnacle larvae. In: J. Vernberg, A. Calabrese, F. Thurberg and W. B. Vernberg (eds.), Biological Monitoring of Marine Pollutants. Academic Press, pp. 165-203.

Lockhart, W.L., Wagermann, R., Tracey, B., Sutherland, D. and Thomas, D. J., 1992. Precence and implications of chemical contaminants in freshwaters of the Canadian arctic. Science of the Total Environment, 122: 165-243.

Madhupratap, M. and Achuthankutty, T.C., 1981. Toxicity of some heavy metals to copepods Ascartia spinicauda and Tortanus forcipatus. Indian Journal of Marine Science, 10: 382-383.

Martin, J., Van-Worm-houcet, A.L.M. and Ceccaldi, J.H., 1977. Zinc haemocyamin binding in the haemolymph of Carcinus maenas (Curstacea: Decapoda). Biochemical Physiology, 584: 193-195.

Mullins, T., 1977. The Chemistry of Water Pollution. In: J.O'M. Bockis (ed.), Environmental Chemistry. Plenum Press, New York. pp. 331-400.

Neff, J.M. and Anderson, J.W., 1976. The effects of copper on molting and growth of juvenile lesser blue crabs Callinectes similis Wiilliams. In: C.S. Giam (ed.), Pollutants effects on marine organisms. Lexington Books, pp. 155-165.

Nriagu, J.O., 1990. Global metal pollution. Environment, 7:7-33.

Parker, A.J., 1981. Introduction: the chemistry of copper. In: J.F. Lonegran; A.D. Robson and R. D. Graham (eds.), Copper in soils and plants. Academic Press, New York, pp. 1-22.

Pelletier, E., Ray, S. and Shugart, R. L., 1993. Toxic compounds and health and reproductive effect in St. Lawrence Beluga. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 19(4): 766-775.

Saberi, O., 1997. Copper In Mangrove Forest Ecosystem and Its Effect On The Growth Of Mangrove Plants. Paper presented at the 9th International Symposium on Bioindicators, Kuala Lumpur, 24-29 November, 1997.

Seenda, W.G. and Lewis, J.M., 1978. Effect of complexation by natural organic ligands on the toxicity of copper to a unicellular algae Monochrysis lutheri. Limnologyand Oceanography, 23: 870-876.

Smith, R.L., 1990. Ecology and Field Biology, 4th edn. Harper Collins Publishers, New York, 835 pp.

Sunda, W. and Guillard, R.R.L., 1976. The relation between cupric ion activity and the toxicity of copper to phytoplankton. Journal of Marine Research, 34: 511-529.

Tiller, K.G. and Merry, R.H., 1981. Copper pollution of agricultural soils. In: J.F. Lonegran, A.D. Robson and R.D. Graham (eds.), Copper in Soils and Plants, Academic Press, New York, pp. 119-137.

White, S.C. and Rainbow, 1982. Regulation and accumulation of Copper, Zinc and cadmium by the shrimp Palaemon clegans. Journal of Marine Ecology, 8: 95-101.