Effects of copper on the sabellid polychaete, Eudistylia vancouveri: I. Concentration limits for copper accumulation

Three experiments with a sabellid polychaete (Eudistylia vancouveri) show the threshold concentration for increasing copper accumulation with time to lie between 3 and 6 micrograms/L total copper in seawater during winter conditions. The branchial crown, probably the major absorptive site, concentrated more copper than the body. Accumulation was influenced by size but not by sex. Our studies indicate that the body burden of copper will increase above natural levels in areas of industrial discharge where copper levels are above the threshold limit for accumulation.