Uptake of Copper, Cadmium and their Mixture in Artemia Sp. under Controlled Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

The uptake of metal s and median lethal concentration( LC50) of Artemia sp. exposed to Cu, Cd and their mixture in static tests for a definite period of exposure was determined . The LC50 of copper was at 1000mg/L and for cadmium at 5OOmg/L. The 100% Mortality occurred at 2000mg/L in case of mixture and the 100% molarity at 5000mg/L in all cases, probably due to different mode of action of both metals. After prolonged exposure the LC50 values decreased proportionally with the exposure period. The uptake amount of metals was found gradually increased with expose concentration as well as period of exposure. The accumulated amounts were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS).