Copper accumulation and transport in a marine food chain composed ofPlatymonas subcordiformis, brachionus plicatilis andPenaeus monodon

Accumulation, transport and toxicity of Cu in the food chain consisting ofPlatymonas subcordiformis, Brachionus plicatilis andPenaeus monodon were studied. Effects of Cu on the growth of organisms in the food chain were investigated and the inhibiting effect concentration (EC₅₀) of Cu was then determined according to the dynamics of the relative number of cells or total individuals of organisms, expressed in percentages with reference to the controlled system, under different culture conditions. On the basis of the variations in accumulation and percentages of accumulation of Cu in the biological phase, the relationship between the accumulation of Cu in organisms and its toxicity was analyzed and the main approach for determining the transport of Cu in the food chain was then discussed. Project 3880644 supported by NSFC.