The temperature dependence of the acute toxicity of copper to a freshwater pond snail, Viviparus bengalensis L.

Abstract

Static bioassays with copper (as CuSO4 · 5H2O) were conducted in laboratory with a freshwater pond snailViviparus bengalensis, at different environmental temperatures. The 96 hr LC50 values in ppm of Cu were 0.060 at 32.5 °C; 0.066 at 24 °C; 0.09 at 27.3 °C and 0.39 at 20.3 °C. In higher copper concentrations some behavioural changes such as secretion of mucus, discharge of eggs and embryos were noted. The results indicate that toxicity to copper increases with temperature increase.