Chronic exposure of coho salmon to sublethal concentrations of copper.--I. Effect on growth, on accumulation and distribution of copper, and on copper tolerance

Abstract

1. Coho salmon, exposed to sublethal levels of aqueous copper (1/4 and 1/2 LC50), lost appetite and ceased growing or showed decreased rates of growth. 2. Recovery of appetite and growth rate was faster in fish exposed to 1/4 of the LC50 than in those exposed to 1/2 of the LC50. 3. Copper levels were elevated in liver gill and kidney of exposed fish with the liver tissue accumulating a much larger amount of the metal than any other tissue. 4. The concentration of liver copper became constant at about the time that growth rate recovered. 5. The exposed fish exhibited much higher resistance to elevated aqueous copper levels than did the controls. 6. The results suggest that coho salmon may become acclimated to higher levels of copper and that acclimated fish are more tolerant to copper than control animals.