Uptake from Sea Water and Clearance of 14C-p,p′-DDT by the Marine Copepod Calanus finmarchicus

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Abstract
It is impossible to measure the uptake rate of p,p''-DDT by copepods from sea water directly since uptake and depuration occur simultaneously. Copepods lost p,p''-DDT exponentially in flowing sea water with a rate constant of kj = 0.048/day; dC/dt = -kjC. Five experiments were performed to obtain uptake rates with DDT concentrations ranging from 32.5-1337 pptr [parts per trillion] in sea water. Copepod uptake of p,p''-DDT from sea water is amply described by a single-compartment model, dC/dt = ki (.mu./.alpha.) W - kjC, which accounts for influx and efflux of DDT. Calculated influx rate constants, ki, varied between 1.5 and 2.7 .times. 103/day. These results enable prediction of DDT levels in nonfeeding copepods if the concentration of DDT in sea water is known.