EFFECTS OF COPPER ON AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS - A REVIEW

Abstract

Impact of metal pollution has become alarming with the increasing industrialization. Copper is the most extensively used metal among other heavy metals. Copper and its alloys are being used almost in every industrial activity and also in our daily life. Copper as a micro-nutrient is essential for all living organisms at lower concentration for their optimal growth and development. But, copper in excess amount than required becomes toxic and the impact is more severe to the aquatic environment. In comparison to freshwater fishes and invertebrate, aquatic plants are equally or less sensitive to copper. Surface water systems should be managed and protected from pollution for the protection of fishes, invertebrates and to ensure aquatic plant survivability. Metal uptake rates will vary according to the organisms and the metal forms in the aquatic systems. The mechanisms of copper toxicity and storage are diverse as they vary with organisms and mode of uptake. Slightly elevated copper level in natural waters may cause sublethal effects in aquatic organisms such as histological or morphological changes in tissues, suppression of growth and development, poor swimming performance, change in bio-chemistry, change in behavior and change in reproduction. This paper mainly concentrates on recent development in the study of toxic metal (copper) species in the aquatic environment and its availability to the aquatic organisms and plants.