EFFECTS OF CADMIUM AND ZINC ON OXYGEN UPTAKE IN THE WHELKBULLIA DIGITALIS(DILLWYN)

Abstract
Solutions of CdCl2 and ZnCl2 affected O2 intake of B. digitalis at 15.degree. C, the sensitivity to Cd being .apprx. 10-fold greater. Zn concentrations > 1 ppm resulted in a lowering of O2 consumption, uptake being reduced by .apprx. 40% at 2 ppm. Cd increased respiration at 0.1-0.7 ppm, there being an increase of 30% at 0.5 ppm; > 0.6 ppm Cd, O2 uptake decreased rapidly and was 20% below normal at 0.75 and down 38% at 1 ppm. Altering the temperature within 10-20.degree. C had little effect on the responses, while the length of the exposure period had a greater effect. Low concentrations of Zn did not alter the responses of Cd but at higher concentrations of Zn the effect was additive.

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