The Relationship Between Copper Speciation and Toxicity for Larvae of the Blue Mussel Mytilus edulis: Regulatory Implications and Determination of Water Effect Ratios
Abstract
Copper toxicity to larvae of the blue mussel Mytilus edulis was quantified in chemically defined media to determine the relationship between concentrations of the free aquo Cu2+ ion and toxicity. The objective was to generate robust relationships to predict the effects of water chemistry on the toxic effects of copper and assess their ecological and regulatory implications. We found a robust relationship exists, suggesting that this species, a key organism in the regulatory enforcement community, is affected primarily by free Cu ions. This validates current assumptions behind the adoption of site-specific criteria derived from testing. However, the concentrations of free Cu ions required to observe chronic toxic effects (10-9M) are much higher than found in most harbors. Titration data in the literature suggest that dissolved concentrations of Cu in US harbors would have to be much higher before the survival of this organism was threatened. This is significant because an exhaustive study of Cu toxicity to invertebrates carried out in the 1970s found that Mytilus larvae were among the most sensitive species. It seems likely that concerns about Cu toxicity to marine planktonic invertebrates may be overstated. Caution must be exercised when extending these conclusions to benthic organisms, to which more refractory forms of Cu are probably bioavailable.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 07, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA437664
Entities
People
- James W. Moffett
Organizations
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution