RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COPPER COMPLEXING CAPACITY OF SEA-WATER AND COPPER TOXICITY IN SHRIMP ZOEAE

Mortality of larval coon-stripe shrimp, P. danae, was related to labile Cu and the Cu complexing capacity of sea water, as measured by differential pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV). In nominal treatments of control, 5 and 10 .mu.g/l Cu which contained less than 1.0 .mu.g/l ASV labile Cu, zoeal development was usually complete. In treatments of 20 and 50 .mu.g/l Cu which contained more than 7.0 .mu.g/l ASV labile Cu, most larvae died while in the 1st zoeal stage. ASV labile Cu was related to the Cu complexing capacity of sea water. Copper toxicity at less than 1.0 .mu.g/l ASV labile Cu is indicated by moulting delay and apparent Cu accumulation in zoea of the 5 and 10 .mu.g/l Cu nominal treatments.