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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Ref ID : 6080

I. Brkovic-Popovic and M. Popovic; Effects of heavy metals on survival and respiration rate of Tubificid worms: Part II - Effects on respiration rate. Environmental Pollution 13:93-98, 1977

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An investigation of the relationship between the concentration of some heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, Zn, Cr and Ni) and respiration rate of tubificid worms is described. The results showed that the direction of the change, caused by various metals, does not have to be the same and depends upon the range of tested concentrations. In six hour experiments cadmium, mercury and copper, at concentrations which are lethal during 24 and 48 hr exposure, have a visible depressive effect on the respiration rate. Copper has a depressive effect on the respiration rate of tubificid worms at very low concentrations: on the other hand, cadmium and mercury increase oxygen consumption at concentrations that are lower than the acute lethal range. Zinc, nickel and chromium, at concentrations which are lethal during short exposures, considerably increase the respiration rate of tubificids above the control values. In the range of concentrations under 48-hr LC50 the respiration rate does not differ significantly from the control.