Toxicity Of Copper Sulfate Research Articles

Effects of Salinity Variations on Acute Toxicity of Copper Sulphate against Oreochromis niloticus Fingerlings in Laboratory Bioassays

The study was carried out to investigate the salinity tolerance and relative acute toxicity of copper sulphate (CuSO4) under fresh water in varying salinity level, against Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings. A total of 280 fingerlings of O. niloticus (mean weight; 20 ± 4 g; 4-6 weeks old) were used as test animals in this study. The test compound used was copper as CuSO4.5H2O analar grade (molecular weight 249.68 g). The dose response data were analyzed by probit analysis. The results showed that on the basis of daily mortality assessment, O. niloticus were unable to survive in water with salinity above 22ppt within a 24hr period, but the fish survived well at lower salinities below 12ppt. Based on 96hr LC50 values, toxicity of CuSO4 against the fingerlings increased with increase or decrease in salinity except at 12ppt where the toxicity was minimal. The significance of this study is in setting ecologically sound, safe limits that are relevant for the prevailing two hydrological seasons in the tropics for the discharge of heavy metals into lagoons and the advantages of breeding O. niloticus under typical brackish water conditions, instead of freshwater. Keywords: Acute toxicity, Fingerlings, Copper sulphate, Oreochromis niloticus, Salinity

Toxicity, Copper (11) Tetraoxo Sulphate, Clarias garipenius

This study was carried out to determine the toxicity of copper sulphate to African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus). The range – finding test was conducted twice in order to get reliable values that could be used for the definitive test. The toxicant (copper sulphate) was introduced at varying concentrations of 10g/l, 20g/l, 30g/l and 40g/l in the first range- finding test, while it was introduced at concentrations of 2g/l, 4g/l, 6g/l and 8g/l in the second range- finding test. However, in the definitive test, the toxicant was introduced at varying concentrations of 0.1g/l, 0.125g/l, 0.15g/l, and 0.175g/l. From the definitive test, the Median Lethal Concentration of copper sulphate to Clarias gariepinus was found to be 0.175g/l. The study showed that Clarias gariepinus fingerling exhibited initial erratic movement, rapid opercular movement, skin discoloration and loss of reflex. Also, histopathological alterations such as the degeneration of gill and liver tissues were observed in the fish that were exposed to the toxicant. The water quality data were analyzed by subjecting them to one – way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).Thus, the study indicates that copper sulphate is toxic to Clarias gariepinus fingerlings.

Acute and Subacute Toxicity of Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate (CuSO45 H2O) in the Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

Chemicals are used for treatment of aquatic diseases, but there is little data available about copper sulfate in small ornamental fish. The aim of the present study was to determine the TLm(24h) and evaluate the toxicity of copper sulfate in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata). The fish were subjected to an acute toxicity test for 24 hr, and the results showed a TLm(24h) value of 1.17 ppm. Severe hyperplasia and exfoliation of the epithelial cells of gill lamellae and obstruction of the internal cavities of renal tubules with necrotized renal epithelial cells sloughed from the basement membrane were observed. However, no significant changes, except for mild curling of gill lamellae, were found in a subacute toxicity test in which fish were exposed to 1/10 of the TLm(24h) value for 1 week. Therefore, use of less than 0.12 ppm of copper sulfate may be recommended as a therapeutic level.

Copper Sulfate Toxicity to Channel Catfish Fry: Yolk Sac versus Swim‐Up Fry

AbstractYolk sac and swim‐up fry from five separate spawns of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus were exposed to dissolved copper sulfate (CuSO4) in a series of static toxicity bioassays to observe age sensitivity at 24 and 48 h in waters with two different chemistries at a temperature of 23.1 ± 0.47°C (mean ± SD). The two waters were (1) well water with a total alkalinity (as CaCO3) of 217 mg/L and a total hardness of 126 mg/L and (2) a 1:1 mixture of well water and deionized (WDI) water with a total alkalinity of 112 mg/L and a total hardness of 66 mg/L. Probit median lethal concentration (LC50) values were estimated with PoloPlus using the nominal CuSO4 concentrations. The mean 24‐h LC50 values for the yolk sac fry were 62.8 ± 37.1 mg of CuSO4/L in the well water and 10.2 ± 3.4 mg/L in the WDI water; the 24‐h LC50 values for the swim‐up fry were 13.5 ± 11.5 mg/L in well water and 4.3 ± 4.4 mg/L in WDI water. The mean 48‐h LC50 values for the yolk sac fry were 14.9 ± 5.0 mg/L in well water and 3.9 ± 1.6 mg/L in WDI water; the 48‐h LC50 values for the swim‐up fry were 3.5 ± 1.8 mg/L in well water and 1.5 ± 0.3 mg/L in WDI water. The yolk sac fry were about 4.6 times more tolerant of CuSO4 than the swim‐up fry at 24 h and 4.3 times more tolerant at 48 h. Fry were about 4.7 times (at 24 h) and 3.3 times (at 48 h) more sensitive to CuSO4 in water with low alkalinity and hardness (WDI water) than in water with high alkalinity and hardness (well water). The differences in LC50 values between the different spawns of each fry type and time within a water type are attributed to natural variation and channel catfish strain.

Comparison of Copper Toxicity to Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, and Blue Catfish, I. furcatus, Fingerlings

Tests comparing the toxicity of copper sulfate to channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, and blue catfish, I. furcatus, fingerlings were conducted using static water conditions. The estimated mean 96-hour LC50 values for copper toxicity were 0.710 mg/L Cu for channel catfish and 0.686 mg/L Cu for blue catfish. Copper toxicity did not differ (P >0.05) between the two species of catfish. Results indicate that both species of catfish may share a common tolerance to copper relative to other commercially cultured fish, and the recommended copper application of one milligram per liter copper sulfate (pentahydrate) per one hundred milligrams per liter total alkalinity is as suitable for blue catfish as it is for channel catfish.

Temperature effects on acute copper toxicity to juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of temperature on the acute toxicity of copper sulfate to juvenile channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus). Alkalinity and hardness were 30 and 26 mg l −1, respectively. The 7–10-g fingerlings were acclimated in four climate chambers at test temperatures of 21, 23, 25, and 27 °C for 2 weeks. After determining an acutely lethal copper dose, aerated tanks of 7.6 l were placed in each climate chamber in quadruplicate. To each, seven acclimated channel catfish fingerlings were added. The 72-h cumulative mortality from 20 mg l −1 copper sulfate was significantly lower in the 27 °C treatment (25%) compared to the 21, 23, and 25 °C treatments, where cumulative mortality was 79–96%. Total mortality at 72 h was significantly correlated ( P<0.05) with decreasing temperatures ( r=−0.91). This provides evidence of an inverse relationship between toxicity of copper sulfate and water temperature. Survival time, however, decreased with increasing temperatures.

Acute Toxicity of Copper to Juvenile Freshwater Prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Copper sulfate is an algicide that is commonly used for phytoplankton and filamentous algae control and has been used as a therapeutant in aquaculture. The objectives of this study were to determine the acute toxicity of copper sulfate and the safe level for use in freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, production ponds in a high calcium and alkalinity environment. Six concentrations of copper sulfate (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 mg/L) were tested in 8-L glass aquaria for 48 hours with three replicate aquaria per treatment. Concentrations of calcium hardness and alkalinity were set at 100 mg/L using calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate, respectively. After 48 hours, survival of the control treatment (0% CuSO4) averaged 97%, which was significantly higher (P< 0.05) than that of all other treatments. The survival in the 0.2 mg/L and 0.4 mg/L (70% and 73%, respectively) concentrations of CuSO4 were significantly greater (P< 0.05) than higher dose treatments; but were not significantly different from each other (P> 0.05). Treatments containing 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0-mg/L copper sulfate demonstrated a dramatic decrease in prawn survival, which averaged 30, 7, and 0%, respectively. Regression analysis of the data predicted 48-hour LC50 for copper sulfate tobe0.46 mg/L. Since recommended application rates for use of copper sulfate as an algicide are 1.0 mg/L or more for water with alkalinities of 100 mg/L, copper sulfate treatments are not recommended for prawn production ponds.

Toxicity of the 13 priority pollutant metals to Vibrio fisheri in the Microtox ® chronic toxicity test

The Microtox ® Acute Toxicity Test has been successfully used to measure the toxicity of metals and other pollutants at high concentrations (ppm) in selected environmental samples. However, metals and other toxicants are often found in much lower concentrations (ppb) in many municipal wastewaters and receiving waters. In order to assess the toxicity of these pollutants in these samples, a more sensitive toxicity assay is needed. The Microtox ® chronic toxicity test has been developed to measure the sublethal effect of toxicants over multiple generations of the test species, Vibrio fisheri. In this study, the toxicity of the 13 priority pollutant metals [i.e. As, Se, Cd, Cr (III and VI), Cu, Pb, Sb, Ag, Tl, Zn, Be, Hg and Ni] to V. fisheri was evaluated using the Microtox ® chronic toxicity test. In this test, the inhibitory concentration (IC), lowest observable effect concentration (LOEC), and no observable effect concentration (NOEC) were obtained after 22-h of incubation at 27±1 °C, by comparing the light output of the control to that of the test sample. Among the 13 priority pollutant metals, beryllium (Be) was found to be the most toxic in the test (LOEC=0.742–1.49 μg/l) while thallium (Tl) was the least toxic (LOEC=3840–15 300 μg/l). The LOECs for copper (as Cu) and lead (Pb) in reagent (ASTM Type I) water were 6.78–13.6 μg/l and 626–1251 μg/l, respectively. The toxicity of copper sulfate (as Cu) in reagent water was shown and significantly reduced with the addition of natural organic matter (fulvic acid) or EDTA to the sample. The LOEC values for the 13 priority pollutant metals in this test were comparable to or lower than those reported for commonly used aquatic toxicity tests, such as the Ceriodaphnia dubia assay.

Effect of calcium and magnesium hardness on acute copper toxicity to Indian major carp, Labeo rohita (Hamilton) and catfish, Channa punctatus (Bloch)

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of calcium and magnesium hardness on the acute toxicity of copper sulphate to Indian major carp, rohu (Labeo rohita, Hamilton) fingerlings and juvenile catfish (Channa punctatus, Bloch) in medium alkalinity experiments. A preliminary bioassay determined the 96 h LC50 of copper sulphate to be 0.56 mg L−1 for L. rohita fingerlings and 11.78 mg L−1 for juvenile C. punctatus placed in water with calcium hardness and total alkalinity set at 100 mg L−1 CaCO3. In the first experiment, rohu were exposed to 0.56 mg L−1 copper sulphate in environments where calcium hardness was varied from 50 to 350 mg L−1 CaCO3 and total alkalinity was 100 mg L−1 CaCO3. As calcium hardness increased, copper-induced rohu mortalities decreased significantly from 90% at 50 mg L−1 CaCO3 to 7% at 350 mg L−1 CaCO3. In the second experiment, rohu were exposed to 0.56 mg L−1 copper sulphate in environments where magnesium hardness was varied from 50 to 350 mg L−1 CaCO3 with total alkalinity set at 100 mg L−1 CaCO3. Hundred percent mortality was observed in magnesium-based hardness treatments. In the third experiment, catfish were exposed to 11.78 mg L−1 copper sulphate in environments where calcium hardness was varied from 50 to 400 mg L−1 and total alkalinity was 100 mg L−1 CaCO3. As calcium hardness increased, copper-induced catfish mortalities decreased significantly from 90% at 50 mg L−1 CaCO3 to 4% at 400 mg L−1 CaCO3. In the fourth experiment, catfish were exposed to 11.78 mg L−1 copper sulphate in environments where magnesium hardness was varied from 50 to 400 mg L−1 CaCO3, with total alkalinity set at 100 mg L−1 CaCO3. In this case, 100% mortality was also observed in magnesium-based treatments. Mortality rates in magnesium hardness treatments were consistent with those in the second experiment. These data suggest a calcium-specific mechanism with respect to acute copper toxicity both in rohu and catfish.

Toxicity of copper sulphate during early and late embryonic development of a palaemonid shrimp (Crustacea)

Summary The toxicity of copper sulphate (1 mg/L) during embryonic development of the shrimp Palaemonetes pugio was tested. One group of embryos was exposed to copper during their entire period of development, a second during the first half of the developmental period and a third group during the second half. A fourth group was maintained in clean water throughout, serving as control. Eggs were checked daily to determine embryo mortality and the incidence of hatching. The experimental group continuously exposed to copper, as well as that exposed during the second half of development, resulted in higher embryo mortality with a consequent decreased number of hatched larvae when compared to the control group. Therefore, the later period of embryogenesis was more sensitive to copper than the early one. Deformed eyespots in embryos were seen in all groups exposed to copper, while underdeveloped setae were noted in larvae hatched from eggs exposed to copper either during the entire or only the second half of development period.

Toxicity of copper sulfate for survival, growth, molting and feeding of juveniles of the tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon

The aim of this study was to determine the acute and chronic toxicity of copper sulfate for juveniles of Penaeus monodon. The 96-h LC50s (median lethal concentrations) of copper on juvenile P. monodon (0.63±0.13 g) were 3.13 and 7.73 mg/l in seawater of 15‰ and 25‰, respectively. The mortality rates of P. monodon juveniles (0.19±0.02 g) following exposure to 0 (control), 0.45, 0.90, 1.80 and 4.50 mg/l copper after 30 days was 0%, 0%, 5.6%, 22.2% and 55.6%, respectively. After 30 days of exposure, the body weight and total length of shrimps exposed to copper at 0.90 mg/l and higher was significantly lower ( P<0.05) than those in the control. The 30-day EC50 (concentration that reduced weight gain by 50% of that of the controls) and 60-day EC50 were 2.82 and 1.89 mg/l copper, respectively. The ratio of carapace length to total length of shrimps exposed to copper at 0.90 mg/l was significantly higher ( P<0.05) than the controls. Following exposure to copper as low as 0.90 mg/l, P. monodon shortened the time to the first molt, and decreased its growth and molting frequency. Following exposure to copper as low as 5.0 mg/l, P. monodon juveniles (6.25±0.09 g) decreased their feeding. The MATC (maximum acceptable toxicant concentration) was 0.45 mg/l copper based on the growth and molting of shrimps weighing 0.18–1.03 g, and was 1.0 mg/l copper based on the feeding of shrimps weighing 6.25 g.

Effects of calcium and magnesium hardness on acute copper toxicity to juvenile channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of calcium or magnesium hardness on the acute toxicity of copper sulfate to juvenile channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus) in low alkalinity environments. A preliminary bioassay determined the 48-h LC 50 of copper sulfate to be 1.25 mg l −1 for juvenile catfish placed in water with calcium hardness and total alkalinity set at 20 mg l −1 CaCO 3. In the first experiment, catfish were exposed to 1.25 mg l −1 copper sulfate in environments where calcium hardness was varied from 10–400 mg l −1 CaCO 3. Total alkalinity was 20 mg l −1 CaCO 3. As calcium hardness increased, copper-induced catfish mortalities decreased significantly from 90% at 10 mg l −1 CaCO 3 to 5% at 400 mg l −1 CaCO 3. In the second experiment, catfish were exposed to 1.25 mg l −1 copper sulfate in environments containing either calcium or magnesium hardness, 20 and 400 mg l −1 CaCO 3, with total alkalinity set at 20 mg l −1 CaCO 3. Survival rates in calcium hardness treatments were consistent with those in the first experiment. However, 100% mortality was observed in both treatments containing magnesium-based hardness. These data suggest a calcium-specific mechanism with respect to acute copper toxicity in channel catfish.

Effect of acclimation period on the relationship of acute copper toxicity to water hardness for fathead minnows

AbstractThe acute (96‐h) toxicity of copper sulfate to fathead minnows was tested in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment, with factors being low (ca. 1 meq/L) and high (ca. 4 meq/L) water hardness during an acclimation period and low and high hardness during the exposure period. Acclimation hardness was found to have no significant effects on copper lethality, except that the 24‐h LC50 at high exposure hardness was 44% higher for fish subject to low acclimation hardness than fish subject to high acclimation hardness. In contrast, exposure hardness was found to have major effects, with LC50s being two to three times greater at high exposure hardness than at low, regardless of the acclimation hardness. These results suggest that the extent of the acclimation period is not a general, severely confounding factor for previous reports of the effects of hardness on copper toxicity to fish, although it may assume some importance for some species and test conditions.

Studies on Peroxidation in Rats Ingesting Copper Sulphate and Effect of Subsequent Treatment with Ocimum sanctum.

This study was aimed at determining the basic biochemical changes induced by the toxicity of copper sulphate (CuSO4) and analyzing the detoxifying effects of Ocimum sanctum, a medicinal plant commonly used in India. CuSO4 dissolved in saline was injected into rats for 30 days. Determinations of serum or tissue level of copper, lipid peroxides, iron, ferritin and antiperoxidative enzymes like SOD, CAT, GSH, GST, GPx, and ceruloplasmin were then carried out. CuSO4 toxicity manifested itself as significantly increased production of lipid peroxides from lipid products by a free-radical mechanism involving hydroxyl free radicals. The anti-oxidant enzyme levels were also notably increased in CuSO4 toxicity, but not to the extent of substantially reducing the hydroxyl free radicals produced by CuSO4. Ocimum sanctum administration restored the various parameters to near their normal values.

Comparative evaluation of the solubility and algal toxicity of copper sulfate and chelated copper

Concentrations of total copper in solutions of several pH values and concentrations of total alkalinity and total hardness were always higher when copper was applied as chelated copper than when copper was added in equal amounts as copper sulfate. Equilibrium calculations revealed that the increase in copper concentrations following chelated copper treatment resulted from an increase in the concentration of complexed copper; cupric ion (Cu 2+) concentration was the same with both algicides. When copper was applied to laboratory soil-water systems, copper was lost from solution slightly faster when copper sulfate was the source of copper than when chelated copper was used. Results of this study suggest that somewhat larger and more frequent doses of copper sulfate should be just as effective as chelated copper algicides.

Acute Toxicity of Copper Sulfate and Chelated Copper to Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus

AbstractChannel catfish fingerlings Ictalurus punctatus were exposed to copper sulfate or a commercial chelated copper product in a series of static toxicity tests conducted using waters with a wide range of total alkalinity and hardness values. Estimates of mean 96 h LC50 values were 0.05, 0.73, 0.95, and 0.98 mg/L as Cu for copper sulfate and 0.06, 1.51, 1.97, and 1.74 mg/L as Cu for the chelated copper product in waters having total alkalinities of 16, 76, 127, and 240 mg/L CaCO3 respectively. On a copper basis, the chelated product was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) less toxic to fish than copper sulfate in all waters except that of the lowest total alkalinity. Highly significant (P &lt; 0.01) linear relationships were found between LC50 values for copper from copper sulfate and pH, log [total alkalinity], and log [total hardness], of test waters. These results cast doubt on the validity of the formula commonly used to calculate practical copper sulfate pond treatment rates, which is based upon a simple linear relationship between application rate and total alkalinity.

Acute toxicity of formalin and copper sulfate to striped bass fingerlings held in varying salinities

Striped bass fingerlings, Morone saxatilis, held at varying salinities were exposed to various concentrations of formalin and copper sulfate, and tolerance values were determined by calculating 96-h LC50 values through probit analysis. The 96-h LC50 values for the formalin toxicity tests were: 4.96 mg/l, 13.52 mg/l, 15.48 mg/l and 10.84 mg/l for 0, 5, 10, and 15 ppt salinity, respectively. The copper sulfate toxicity tests yielded 96-h LC50 values of: 2.68 mg/l, 8.08 mg/l and 7.88 mg/l for 5, 10 and 15 ppt salinity, respectively. The results indicated a significant variation in tolerance levels due to changes in salinity. Regression models derived for both tests showed an increase in tolerance as salinity approached that which the fish were acclimated to prior to testing (10 to 13 ppt). Beyond this point, tolerance to either chemical decreased. This evidence suggests a compounded effect of chemical and environmental interaction (i.e. salinity) on survival and possible disruption of normal gill function since previous studies have shown these chemicals to cause gill damage. These pathological changes can severely impair osmoregulation and/or respiratory activity. This phenomenon may also be associated with osmotic stress brought about by the absence of an acclimation period prior to the experiments to the salinities tested.

Studies on the toxicity of copper sulphate to stone loach Noemacheilus barbatulus (L.) in hard water

The toxicity of copper sulphate to Noemacheilus barbatulus was studied for 64 days in a water of total hardness 249 mg l −1 as CaCO 3. The 63-day lc 50 was approximately 0.25 mg Cu l −1. Larger fish survived longer, and at concentrations greater than 0.29 mg l −1 fish hid less during daylight. Noemacheilus surviving 0.12 mg Cu l −1 for 64 days shed copper when placed in clean water for 7 days: gill, muscle, eye and vertebrae lost significant amounts of copper during this period. The opportunity to shed copper during a short period when the poison supply to their tank failed, may have allowed fish exposed to 0.49 mg l −1 to live 12 days longer than expected. The sensitivity of Noemacheilus to copper, cadmium and zinc was compared with that of rainbow trout. Salmo gairdneri.

Toxicity of Copper to Zooplankton

AbstractThe toxicity of copper sulfate (CuSO4·5H2O) to zooplankton was studied. Bioassays on Daphnia pulex and Cyclops sp. yielded 96‐hour TLm values of 0.096 and 225.0 ppm, respectively. A treatment of 3 ppm copper sulfate to an outdoor pond was followed by a depression of cladoceran and rotifer populations. Addition of 3 ppm copper sulfate to a second pond occurred when cladoceran numbers were low; however, a combination of oxygen depletion, H2S production and released copper from large masses of decomposing Chara apparently suppressed rotifer, copepod, and cladoceran populations. Treatment of 1 ppm copper sulfate to a third pond produced no discernible effects on cladocera. Stomach analyses conducted on green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus R.) indicated that the fish shifted to alternate food sources when cladocera disappeared from affected ponds.

Studies on Chronic Copper Poisoning: I. Toxicity of Copper Sulphate and Copper Acetate in Sheep

Studies on Chronic Copper Poisoning: I. Toxicity of Copper Sulphate and Copper Acetate in Sheep