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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #88836
Title: EFFECTS OF COPPER ON SODIUM (NA+) ION FLUXES IN CHANNEL CATFISH (ICTALURUSPUNCTATUS) DURING EXPOSURE TO SUBLETHAL OR 96 HR LC50 CONCENTRATIONS OF COPPER SULFATE.

Author
item Hobbs, Melissa
item Griffin, Billy
item GRIPPO, RICHARD - AR STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Net Na fluxes were determined in juvenile channel catfish exposed to 1.7 mg/L or 4.3 mg/L copper sulfate by monitoring the change in Na content of the experimental water over a 24 hour period. The sub-lethal exposure of 1.7 mg/L copper sulfate was derived from a formula that uses alkalinity for calculating the application rate of copper sulfate for use as an algicide or parasisicide in fish culture ponds. Copper sulfate at 4.3 mg/L is the 96 h LC for juvenile channel catfish in the well water used in this study. Exposure to 1.7 mg/L copper sulfate resulted in a significant increase in Na+ in the water indicatiing a significant negative net flux, in comparison to what occurred in control groups. Exposure to 4.3 mg/L copper sulfate also resulted in a significant increase in Na in the water although less than what occurred during exposure to 1.7 mg/L copper sulfate. Sodium loss is a known mechanism of copper toxicity. Until a safer formula to predict an effective application rate for copper sulfate in culture ponds is derived, the apparent risk of copper toxicity should be considered when management of algae or parasites is required.