Copper and the Mussel Mytilus edulis

Abstract

Copper is a beneficial trace element required by all marine organisms, yet is one of the most poisonous of heavy metals when present in excess. Copper is essential for the proper action of several enzymes (e.g., cytocrome oxidase, lysine oxidase and tyrosinase) and appears to function by forming strong complexes with proteins. In some molluscs copper is especially important because it is responsible for the oxygen binding haemolymph pigment haemocyanin. The mussel Mytilus edulis L. possesses no such pigment, but copper is still a necessary constituent of Mytilus haemolymph proteins. The known deleterious effects of excess copper are also largely associated with proteins; enzyme activities and electron transport reactions may be interfered with, while membrane permeabilities and cell division can also be affected.