The effects of copper on the heart rate and filtration rate of Mytilus edulis

Exposure of Mytilus edulis to dissolved copper led to a decrease in heart rate and filtration rate. After 4 days exposure to copper, the concentration of copper causing a 50% reduction in heart rate (EC₅₀) was 0.17 ppm. After 5 days exposure to copper, the EC₅₀ for filtration rate was only 0.002 ppm copper. Reductions in heart rate and filtration rate are not caused by valve or siphon closure.     

Some effects of sub-lethal concentrations of copper on a marine copepod

Laboratory experiments were carried out to the influence of different concentrations of copper in feeding and respiratory rates, fecundity and longevity of the marine planktonic copepod Acartia clausi, taken from a polluted and a clean area of the Saronic gulf (Greece). In the range of copper concentrations 0.001 to 0.01 mg l.^?1, all tested activities of the animals coming from the clean region seem affected. Feeding acitity, longevity and fecundity showed a progressive reduction from 0.001 to 0.01 mg l.^?1 On the other hand oxygen consumption rates showed a continuous increase at the same range of concentrations.The pollution-adapted population of Acartia seems more resistant to sub-lethal copper stress. Although longevity and respiration were affected in all concentrations used (the reaction was of the same kind as for the animals from the clean region), ingestion rate was not affected at 0.001 mg l.^?1 decreasing at higher concentrations. The fecundity of the pollution-adapted population is higher than that of the clean area, shows a slight increase at 0.001 and 0.0025 mg l.^?1 dropping about to the control animals fecundity level at 0.01 mg l.^?1     

Effects of copper exposure on the scope for growth of the clam Ruditapes decussatus from southern Portugal

The clam Ruditapes decussatus L. was collected from Ria Formosa, Faro, southern Portugal, and exposed to a sublethal copper concentration of 0.01 mg l⁻¹ for 20 days. Physiological measurements, respiration rates, clearance rates and absorption efficiency, were undertaken initially and after 2, 5, 9, 14 and 20 days and used to calculate Scope for Growth. Copper accumulation rate was calculated through the analysis of copper in the tissues at the same sampling times. The experiment showed two phases. Initially, copper was rapidly accumulated (1.95 μg Cu g⁻¹ dw day⁻¹ in the first 48 h), clearance rates declined markedly (lowest value 13.5% of control) and respiration rates increased (116% of control), resulting in a rapid decline of Scope for Growth, which showed a negative value after 5 days. In the second phase, (from day 9 on), the rate of copper uptake declined to 0.55 μg Cu g⁻¹ day⁻¹ and physiological responses were more stable. After 20 days, copper concentration in the tissues was 38.4 μg Cu g⁻¹ dw (bioconcentration factor 3840). Clearance rates were 50% of control rates and respiration rates were still high, 145% of control rates. Therefore, Scope for Growth and performance of the clams was still greatly affected (ca. 23% of the control values), indicating that though animals partially recovered through detoxifying mechanisms, excess copper caused sustained impairment of physiological functions. This experiment confirms that the physiological energetics approach and the integrated Scope for Growth measurement is a sensitive methodology to detect deviations from normal performance and assess stress at environmental realistic copper concentrations.     

Trace metal remobilization in the interstitial waters of red clay and hemipelagic marine sediments

Interstitial water samples from the Guatemala Basin and the coast of Baja California have been analyzed for manganese, iron, copper, nickel and nitrate. The data provide a systematic look at changes in trace metal diagenesis proceeding from red clay to highly reducing nearshore sediments.In red clay sediments, the nitrate concentrations suggest that only aerobic respiration is occurring. Manganese and iron are below detection. Nickel concentrations remain the same as in bottom seawater but copper shows a pronounced maximum just at the sediment/water interface. Proceeding to hemipelagic sediments, denitrification becomes increasingly important and manganese and iron remobilization occur in the sediments.The linear manganese and nitrate profiles suggest regions of production or consumption separated by zones of diffusion. This differs from the conventional picture of a continuous series of reactions within the sediments. Manganese reduction always occurs before iron reduction. The pore water nickel correlates well with manganese in these sediments, suggesting that nickel is associated with MnO₂ in the solid phase. The pore water flux ratio of manganese and nickel agrees well with the ratio in solid phase authigenic oxides. Copper still displays a core top concentration maximum as well as a second maximum associated with the remobilized manganese. The calculated ratio of the Cu/C flux ratios support the argument for copper remobilization during organic carbon oxidation. Comparison of the upward and downward diffusive fluxes with the rate of copper buried by sedimentation shows that at least half of the copper buried must be of diagenetic origin and less than 25% of the copper reaching the sediments is buried.     

Effects of copper on survival, development and growth of Metapenaeus ensis larvae and postlarvae (decapoda: Penaeidae)

Effects of copper on survival, development and growth of the early developmental stages of the penaeid shrimp, Metapenaeus ensis, were studied in the laboratory. High variability in survival rates were observed among animals from different spawners. Larvae exposed to 0.06 and 0.10 mg Cu l⁻¹ over a 10-day period had lower survival rates and exhibited slower development than control animals. No significant treatment effects were found at 0.04 and 0.08 mg Cu l⁻¹. Effects of copper on survival and growth of postlarvae were studied over an 8-day period. Copper concentrations lower than 0.10 mg l⁻¹ did not affect survival rates. Slower growth rates were observed in postlarvae exposed to 0.08 and 0.10 mg Cu l⁻¹.     

Coupled infiltration and filtration behaviours of concrete porous pavement for stormwater management

Cementitious porous pavement (CPP) is a structural low‐impact development material for rainfall–runoff management. Both infiltration and filtration are critical functions for CPP stormwater quality and quantity control. In this study, three groups of CPP specimens exposed to rainfall–runoff for 4 years and experienced with different maintenance intervals (6, 12 and 48 months, respectively) were used to examine CPP infiltration and filtration performance. Particle mass strained on CPP surface, saturated infiltration rate I_f, temporal infiltration rate I(t), suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and turbidity (τ) were measured to evaluate the process of filtration/infiltration. I(t), SSC and τ were examined less than 50 mg/l of the suspended particle loading. It was found that the CPP surface cleaning methods used in the past 4 years, namely, high pressure wash followed by vacuuming with one atmosphere (100 kPa), were effective, and a 12‐month maintenance interval was verified suitable to maintain the pore structure an acceptable infiltration rate for stormwater management. It was also found that CPP infiltration and filtration process affect each other, and the two properties are coupled in urban stormwater quality and quantity control. On the basis of the experimental measurements, the temporal infiltration rate of the cleaned CPP under a certain particle loading could be simulated by a first‐order nonlinear rational model, and effluent turbidity–SSC relationship was found following a power law. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improved Removal of Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds by Activated Carbon Fiber Filters Calcined with Copper Oxide Catalyst

Heating, ventilating, and air‐conditioning (HVAC) systems ensure indoor air quality and provide a comfortable environment. However, the conventional HVAC systems only provide indoor ventilation and adjust temperature and humidity. This work removes indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using a feasible and novel air‐cleaning for an HVAC system, to remove indoor VOCs. An activated carbon‐fiber (ACF) filter calcined with copper oxide (CuO) catalyst, called a CuO/ACF catalyst filter, was the developed kit. Formaldehyde, a major VOC, was chosen as the target pollutant. Experiments were performed to confirm the filtration ability of the CuO/ACF catalyst filter in removing formaldehyde in a stainless‐steel chamber equipped with a simplified HVAC system. Total air exchange rate (ACH) was controlled at 0.5 and 1.0 h⁻¹, the fresh ACH was 0.15 and 0.30 h⁻¹, and relative humidity (RH) was set at 30 and 70%. A first‐order decay of formaldehyde existed in the controlled chamber when the two pretreated CuO/ACF catalyst filters were employed. Experimental results demonstrate that the CuO/ACF catalyst filters removed formaldehyde effectively. The decay constant was 0.425 and 0.618 h⁻¹ for 0.5 and 2.0 ppm formaldehyde, respectively. Moreover, the formaldehyde decay rate increased as total ACH, fresh ACH, RH, and the Cu(NO₃)₂ concentration for calcination of CuO/ACF catalyst filter increased.     

Correlations between metal uptake in the soft tissue of Perna perna and gill filament pathology after exposure to mercury

The accumulation of metal in soft tissues, filtration rate and gill filament morphology are correlated in the southern African rock mussel, Perna perna, during exposure to mercury (24 days) and recovery (24 days). The amount of Hg in soft tissues increased from 0.13 to 87.5 μg/g dry weight after 24 days exposure, and declined to 13 μg/g during recovery. Mean filtration rate fell from 3979 to 1818 ml/h/g dry weight by day 2, but recovered slightly through days 4 and 8 (3037 ml/h/g), with a higher average rate (5030 ml/h/g) being maintained over the 24–48 days recovery period. The initial decline in filtration coincided with epithelial cell deterioration presented as interstitial oedema, neural and epithelial cell degeneration and reduced ciliation. Between days 8 and 24, cilia regenerated and there was a general improvement in cell morphology. Gill filament morphology returned to near normal during the metal-free recovery period. The usefulness of P. perna as an indicator of pollution is discussed.     

An intercomparison of seawater filtration procedures

Filtration systems, used for the preparation of coastal seawater samples for trace analysis, have been intercompared to determine the extent of contamination arising during the filtration process. The results show that all the systems intercompared are able to provide uncontaminated filtrates for copper, nickel, cobalt and manganese and, with two exceptions, for cadmium and iron, at levels that would be encountered in uncontaminated coastal waters.     

Copper Biosorption by Spent Coffee Ground: Equilibrium,Kinetics, and Mechanism

The potential use of spent coffee ground (SCG) for the removal of copper has been investigated as a low‐cost adsorbent for the biosorption of heavy metals. Adsorption batch experiments were conducted to determine isotherms and kinetics. The biosorption equilibrium data were found to fit well the Freundlich model and an experimental maximum biosorption capacity of copper ions 0.214 mmol/g was achieved. The biosorption kinetics of SCG was studied at different adsorbate concentrations (0.1–1.0 mM) and stirring speeds (100–400/min). The results showed an increase in the copper ion uptake with raising the initial metal concentration and the kinetic data followed the pseudo‐second order rate expression. The effect of stirring speed was a significant factor for the external mass transfer resistance at 100/min and coefficients were estimated by the Mathews and Weber model. Biosorption of copper ions onto SCG was observed to be related mainly with the release of calcium and hydrogen ions suggesting that biosorption performance by SCG can be attributed to ion‐exchange mechanism with calcium and hydrogen ions neutralizing the carboxyl and hydroxyl groups of the biomass.     

Effects of Copper Sulphate on the Free Amino Acids of Channa punctatus (BLOCH).

The free amino acids of the liver and muscle of C. punctatus exposed to 1 ppm of copper sulphate solution up to 84 days were investigated. Few amino acids, notably cystine and tryptophan, disappeared and few new amino acids appeared. These changes in the free amino acids may be due to toxic effects of copper sulphate leading to rancidity in the fish.     

Filtration of one-second observations from vector and scalar magnetometers based on approximation piecewise linear models

Joint filtration of one-second observations on a system of vector and scalar magnetometers is considered. The filtration provides a reduction of errors in estimates for components of geomagnetic field strength vectors. A formulation for the problem of joint data filtration is proposed based on using approximation piecewise linear models, and a higher speed filtration algorithm is developed. The results of joint filtration of one-second observations are presented. Errors in the proposed filtration on the basis of statistical modeling are estimated.     

A comparison of instrumental dewatering methods for the separation and concentration of suspended sediment for subsequent trace element analysis

A comparison involving both field and laboratory trials was performed to evaluate the utility of two continuous-flow centrifuges and a tangential-flow filtration system for dewatering suspended sediments for subsequent trace element analysis. Although recovery efficiencies for the various devices differ, the analytical results from the separated suspended sediments indicate that any of the tested units can be used effectively and precisely for dewatering. Further, the three devices appear to concentrate and dewater suspended sediments in such a manner as to be equivalent to that which could be obtained by in-line filtration. Only the tangential-flow filtration system appears capable of providing both a dewatered sediment sample and a potentially usable effluent, which can be analysed for dissolved trace elements. The continuous-flow centrifuges can process whole water at an influent feed rate of 41 per minute; however, when suspended sediment concentrations are low (<30mg^?1), when small volumes of whole water are to be processed (30 to 401), or when suspended sediment mean grain size is very fine (<10 μm), influent feed rates of 21 per minute may be more efficient. Tangential-flow filtration can be used to process samples at the rate of 11 per minute.     

Influence of IHSS Standard and Reference Materials on Copper and Mercury Toxicity to Vibrio fischeri

The reduction in light emission of the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri used in the standard Microtox^® bioassay was measured for the metals copper and mercury. The concentration at which the light emission was reduced by 50% (EC₅₀) was determined to be (3.43 ± 0.83) μmol/L for Cu²⁺ and (0.66 ± 0.01) μmol/L for Hg²⁺. The reduction of the toxicity of these metals by humic and fulvic acids were studied using IHSS Standard and Reference Materials. Copper toxicity was reduced 17...20% by the soil and peat fulvic acids and 9...20% by the aquatic fulvic acids. While there appeared to be little difference in the reduction of Cu toxicity by fulvic acids from soils, peats, or aquatic systems, Hg toxicity was reduced 3.6...7.3% by the soils and peats, while aquatic fulvic acids reduced Hg toxicity 14...16%. Soil fulvic acids appear to have significantly less capacity to reduce Hg toxicity than Cu toxicity. Humic acids had much higher reductions of Cu toxicity (44...124%) compared to the fulvic acids, with little difference between aquatic and soil or peat humic acids, 44...124% and 67...100%, respectively. However, humic and fulvic acids, regardless of origin, had approximately the same effect on Hg toxicity with 3.5...16% reduction by fulvic acids and 8...20% reduction by humic acids. Unlike the fulvic acids, no clear trend was observed relative to origin of the humic acids. There was no correlation between percent reduction of Cu or Hg toxicity by the organic compounds and copper binding capacity (CuBC), C/N ratio, or carboxyl content of the materials. Examination of natural organic matter (NOM) isolated by reverse osmosis techniques from three water sources had reductions of both Cu and Hg toxicity that were most similar to the Suwannee River and Nordic fulvic acids.     

Toxic Effects of Copper‐Based and Synthetic Organic Pesticides on Activated Sludge

Toxic effects of five commonly used pesticides on the biomass of a municipal activated sludge system were determined on the basis of the reduction in the oxygen uptake rate (OUR) and specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR). Toxicity levels of the selected pesticides were determined by employing a modified OECD 209 (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) method which was performed as batch experiments using a respirometer. Copper sulphate (CuSO₄ · 5 H₂O), copper oxychloride (Cu₂Cl(OH)₃), copper calcium oxychloride (CaCu₃Cl₂(OH)₆) as copper‐based pesticides and chlorsulphuron (C₁₂H₁₂ClN₅O₄S), 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) (C₈H₆Cl₂O₃) as synthetic organic pesticides were selected for the experiments. The EC₅₀ values were determined to be 78, 249 and 281 mg/L for CuSO₄ · 5 H₂O, Cu₂Cl(OH)₃ and CaCu₃Cl₂(OH)₆, respectively. Corresponding values for C₁₂H₁₂ClN₅O₄S and 2,4‐D were 860 and 3664 mg/L, respectively. Results indicated that toxicity effects of copper‐based pesticides were higher than that of synthetic organic pesticides. CuSO₄ · 5 H₂O was found to exert the highest toxicity among the copper‐based pesticides, whereas, C₁₂H₁₂ClN₅O₄S was determined to be the most toxic among the organic pesticides on activated sludge biomass.     

Development of sediment-quality criteria—A proposal from experimental field-studies of the effects of copper on benthic organisms

Very few of the numerous studies of the effects of copper on animals living in marine sediments have involved manipulative field-experiments. Such experiments provide greater realism than laboratory-based studies in terms of environmental variability or complexity, but the otherwise confounding effects of this variation can be removed by random allocation of treatments to experimental units. We describe an experiment in sandy sediments in Botany Bay, NSW, Australia, in which concentrations of copper in the sediments were manipulated using blocks of plaster impregnated with copper sulphate. Replicate copperenhanced and control treatments were randomly allocated to experimental units. Thus, any differences among treatments in the patterns of change in their faunas can be unambiguously ascribed to the copper treatment. The use of manipulative field-experiments is discussed in the context of the development of sediment-quality criteria.     

Effects of metals on the behaviour and oxygen consumption of the mud snail

The behaviour and oxygen consumption rates of adult mud snails, exposed to five metals individually (arsenic, cadmium, copper, silver and zinc) and to one combination of two metals (cadmium and copper), have been examined. The oxygen uptake of distressed and retracted snails was found to be lower than that of controls after exposure to all individual metals except cadmium, which resulted in an elevation of oxygen consumption. The combination of copper and cadmium resulted in a lower rate than either metal alone.     

Variations in cardiac activity following acute exposure to copper in three co-occurring but differently zoned Mediterranean limpets

The cardiac activity of three limpets (Patella rustica, P. caerulea and P. aspera), having a different vertical zonation on the Mediterranean rocky shores, was monitored using a non-invasive technique, during 6 h exposure to copper solutions (0.1 and 0.5 ppm), and after return to copper-free conditions. At 0.1 ppm no significant variation of heart rate was observed in the three species with respect to control conditions, while after 3 h at 0.5 ppm a consistent bradycardia was evident in P. caerulea and P. aspera, but not in P. rustica. After 6 h at 0.5 ppm most of the specimens of the three species were acardic but still reactive to mechanical stimulation. Tests on the resumption of cardiac activity after 6 h exposure to 0.5 ppm showed that even after a prolonged cessation of cardiac activity, limpets quickly resumed heartbeating once returned to clean seawater. However, recovery of heartbeating was faster in the mid- and high-shore species (P. caerulea and P. rustica, respectively) than in the lower-shore P. aspera. Moreover, the cardiac pattern upon recovery was definitely bradycardic in P. aspera, while the other two species showed a significant overshooting in heartbeating rate. Measurement of body burdens of copper showed that P. rustica and P. caerulea were faster in removing the excess of copper than the lower-shore P. aspera. In conclusion, this study showed that taxonomically close and syntopic species having a different zonal distribution exhibit different cardiac responses to waterborne copper and stresses the importance of comparative studies on physiological responses of organisms to metal pollution.     

Bioindication potential of carbonic anhydrase activity in anemones and corals

Activity levels of carbonic anhydrase (CA) were assessed in anemones Condylactis gigantea and Stichodactyla helianthus with laboratory exposures to copper, nickel, lead, and vanadium, and also in animals collected from polluted vs pristine field sites. CA activity was found to be decreased with increase in metal concentration and also in animals collected from the polluted field site. Preliminary assessments to adapt the CA assay for use in the widespread coral Montastraea cavernosa show decreased CA activity in specimens from the polluted field site and provide an avenue for future research aimed at more thoroughly describing coral CA activity for potential application in bioindication.     

Influence of Decarbonisation and Phosphate Dosage on Copper Corrosion in Drinking Water Systems

The effect of softening/decarbonisation and dosage of orthophosphate on copper corrosion was studied in pipe rigs according to the German standard DIN 50931, part 1. A literature study with regard to the effects of phosphate dosing on copper corrosion has shown that on the one hand and in most of the cases a dosage of phosphate led to lower copper concentrations. On the other hand phosphate aggravated the copper corrosion in some cases. The mechanisms are not yet clear and the influence of phosphate on the corrosion of copper remains a question to be answered. Using standardised on‐site corrosion tests (DIN 50931‐1) with virgin copper pipes softening/decarbonisation has decreased the copper concentration. Two effects of phosphate on copper corrosion were noticed: Phosphate dosing decreased the copper oxidation and resulted in lower copper concentration in water. Likewise phosphate hindered the precipitation of cupric ions, which prolonged the existence of copper in water and resulted in a higher copper concentration. As a consequence, dosing phosphate can decrease or increase the copper corrosion, this depends on which effect is dominating.