The effects of Anabaena spiroides (Cyanophyceae) exopolysaccharide on copper toxicity to Simocephalus serrulatus (Cladocera, Daphnidae)

• Published in: Freshwater biology Vol. 50; no. 9; pp. 1560 - 1567
• Main Authors: NOGUEIRA, PATRÍCIA F. M., MELÃO, MARIA DA G. G., LOMBARDI, ANA T., VIEIRA, ARMANDO A. H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.09.2005; Blackwell Science; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: algal exopolysaccharide; Anabaena spiroides; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Cladocera; copper; Crustacea; Cyanophyceae; Daphnidae; Fresh water ecosystems; Freshwater; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Invertebrates; Simocephalus serrulatus; Synecology; toxicity; Anabaena spiroides; Ecotoxicology; Toxicity; Algae; Cladocera; algal exopolysaccharide; Heavy metal; Crustacea; Freshwater environment; Hydrobiology; Simocephalus serrulatus; Arthropoda; Cyanobacteria; Bacteria; Invertebrata; Copper; Branchiopoda; Thallophyta
• ISSN: 0046-5070; 1365-2427
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2427.2005.01406.x

Summary 1. This work investigated the consumption of a microalgal (Anabaena spiroides) exopolysaccharide by the cladoceran Simocephalus serrulatus (Cladocera, Daphnidae) and its effect on copper toxicity. 2. Total organic carbon concentration was used to quantify the microalgal exopolysaccharide. Both copper‐complexed exopolysaccharides and copper‐free exopolysaccharides were taken up by S. serrulatus. 3. A reduction of free copper ions was obtained in the presence of A. spiroides exopolysaccharide. Copper toxicity (EC50) and zooplankton concentrations were inversely correlated to exopolysaccharide concentration in experimental media. 4. An increase of free copper ions in experimental media was obtained after exopolysaccharide consumption, suggesting that S. serrulatus excreted copper to the surrounding environment.