Haemolymph phosphatase activity levels in two fresh-water gastropods exposed to copper

Fifty specimens each of Lymnaea acuminata f. rufescens and Indoplanorbis exustus were exposed to sublethal concentrations of 0.010, 0.015 and 0.020 ppm copper. These values were decided from 96 h LC50 studies. Controls were maintained in clean waters. Acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase were determined by spectrophotometry in the haemolymph of the snails after 2-48 h exposure. Cooper ions caused hypersynthesis of lysosomal enzymes but not always of both phosphatases simultaneously. Copper could inhibit the activities of both enzymes and these activities were indicators of stress. Detailed results are provided.