The effect of copper and zinc on the shell growth of Mytilus edulis measured by a laser diffraction technique

Abstract
The effects of copper and zinc on the daily shell growth of Mytilus edulis have been measured with a laser diffraction measuring technique accurate to 3 µm. The results show that within three days 10 ppb added copper has a significant inhibitory effect on shell growth. Longer term experiments have been undertaken which show that the effects of 10 ppb added copper become more severe as exposure time increases. Recovery of near normal shell growth does occur on transfer to clean sea water even after a 14 day exposure to this concentration. The effects of zinc on shell growth are less severe. Transferring animals from their natural environment to the laboratory causes a measurable disturbance of shell growth for up to a week.

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