Copper Toxicity in Busycon canaliculatum L

(1) The effects of high concs of Cu in seawater upon B.canaliculatum were followed histologically, by determination of tissue Cu conc, and by tracing uptake with radioactively labeled Cu (Super(64)Cu). (2) Whelks showed a high resistance to ionic Cu, with a tolerance limit between 200-500 {mu}g/l at normal habitat temps for the exposure periods used (54-77 days). (3) At lethal concs, Ca was accumulated at the gill and osphradium; and these tissues also showed progressive histopathologic change, consisting of swelling of the gill filaments, amebocytic infiltration of the connective tissue, and necrosis and sloughing of the mucosa.