Abstract
1. Cardiac and respiratory activity of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas (L.), were disrupted following exposure to heavy metal ions. 2. 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. 3. Similar, but more pronounced changes were seen following exposure to 1 mg l −1 mercury ions. 4. Median perfusion index was 100 ml blood ml O 2 −1 (range 58–114 ml blood ml O 2 −1) prior to pollution, but increased to peak values within the range 90–220 ml O 2 −1 following exposure to copper or mercury. 5. The effects of exposure to copper were transient and largely reversible. 6. 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.
Published Version
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