1. Accumulation of copper and zinc by two intertidal gastropods and their potential as biological monitors
- Author
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K. Praveen Kumar and V. Uma Devi
- Subjects
biology ,Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Intertidal zone ,Zinc ,Contamination ,biology.organism_classification ,Pollution ,Copper ,Metal ,chemistry ,Tropical marine climate ,Environmental chemistry ,visual_art ,Nerita albicilla ,visual_art.visual_art_medium ,Environmental Chemistry ,Chamaeleon - Abstract
This work assessed the potential of two tropical marine intertidal gastropods Nerita chamaeleon and Nerita albicilla as indicators of heavy metal (Cu, Zn) contamination. Simultaneous exposure of the two species at different time periods (24, 48, 72 and 96 hrs.) and different concentrations of Cu and Zn provided comparative information on patterns of tissue accumulation. In both the species a highly significant relationship was observed between exposure time and concentration of heavy metals. In N. albicilla the accumulation of metals was found to be higher than in N. chamaeleon and may thus be a better biological indicator. Although accumulation of both the metals was rapid in both species, the initial metal concentrations were high in N. chamaeleon. Suitability of these two species as monitoring organisms was discussed.
- Published
- 1998
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