Hemolymph oxyhemocyanin and protein levels and acid-base balance in the tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon exposed to copper sulfate

Abstract

Subadult tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon (30.15 +/- 2.19 g) were exposed individually in sea water of 2-5 parts per thousand to 0 (control), 1.11, 4.76, 10.06 and 19.09 mg/L copper for 24 h. Hemolymph pH, PO2 (partial oxygen pressure), PCO2 (partial carbon dioxide pressure), HCO3-, oxyhemocyanin and protein levels were determined. Hemolymph PO, increased, whereas hemolymph pH, PCO2, HCO3-, oxyhemocyanin, protein and the ratio of oxyhemocyanin/protein levels decreased with increasing concentrations of ambient copper in the range of 1.11 to 19.09 mg/L. It is concluded that P. monodon following 24-h exposure to ambient copper as low as 4.76 m/L shows a reduction of oxyhemocyanin, protein, and the ratio of oxyhemocyanin to protein, and develops metabolic acidosis in the hemolymph.