Influence of copper on some aspects of the energy metabolism of the common carp Cyprinus carpio
De Smet, H.; De Boeck, G.; Blust, R. (1993). Influence of copper on some aspects of the energy metabolism of the common carp Cyprinus carpio, in: Chardon, M. et al. Third Belgian Congress of Zoology, 5-6 November 1993. Belgian Journal of Zoology, 123(Suppl. 1): pp. 21 In: Chardon, M.; Goffinet, G. (Ed.) (1993). Third Belgian Congress of Zoology, 5-6 November 1993. Belgian Journal of Zoology, 123(Suppl. 1). University of Liège: Liège. 109 pp., more In: Belgian Journal of Zoology. Koninklijke Belgische Vereniging voor Dierkunde = Société royale zoologique de Belgique: Gent. ISSN 0777-6276; e-ISSN 2295-0451, more |   |
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| Authors | | Top | - De Smet, H.
- De Boeck, G., more
- Blust, R., more
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| Abstract | The influence of copper on the oxygen consumption, nitrogen excretion and oxygen consumption/nitrogen excretion ratio (O/N ratio) of carp (15-25g) was determined at three different concentrations of the metal, during the first ten hours and after one week of exposure. Experiments were performed in a respiration chamber with the use of an oxygen-and ammonia-electrode. At a concentration of 250 µg/l an immediate significant drop of 60% in the O/N ratio was observed. This was followed by a transient, partial, but significant recovery. Finally, the O/N ratio stabilised at the level reached during the first hour of exposure. The same pattern was observed at a copper concentration of 125 µg/l, but the initial drop in O/N ratio was less (45%). At a copper concentration of 62.5 µg/l the response of the fish was not significant 1 y different from control values. The sudden drop in the O/N ratio during the first hours was caused by a decrease in oxygen consumption compared to a smaller decrease in ammonia excretion. One week later however, ammonia excretion was fully restored to the initial level whereas oxygen consumption remained low. When the carps were exposed to an additional stressor, i.e. hypoxia, the critic al oxygen concentration shifted from 1 mg/l (for clean water) to 3.5 mg/l (for exposure to a copper concentration of 125 µg/l and during one week). Under normal conditions, the ammonia excretion rate decreased after the critical ammonia concentration of 1 mg/l. At 125 µg/l Cu however, the ammonia excretion rate declined gradually. These changes clearly indicate that the fishes who were exposed to a sub lethal concentration of copper, were more sensitive to the additional stressor than the controls. |
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