Metamorphosis to Postlarvae of Penaeus chinensis Osbeck by Removal of Heavy Metals from Rearing Systems with Polymeric Absorbent

The effect of removing heavy metal ions (copper, zinc, lead, and cadmium) with a polymeric heavy metal absorbent (PHMA) on metamorphosis of Penueus chinensis Osbeck was investigated. There was a significant ( P < 0.05) reduction in metamorphosis of protozoea to mysis at concentrations more than 31.0 μg/L copper, 38.3 μg/L zinc, 32.5 μg/L lead, and 30.3 μg/L cadmium, in the absence of PHMA. At concentrations more than 61.0 μg /L copper, 68.3 μg/L zinc, 62.5 μg/L lead, and 60.3 μg/L cadmium there was a significant ( P < 0.01) interaction between the absence and the presence of PHMA for metamorphosis of mysis to postlarvae. At concentrations of 12.3 μg/L copper, 45.8 μg/L zinc, 106.2 μg/L lead, and 200.2 μg/L cadmium, the metamorphosis of protozoea to mysis was blocked, but it was 51.4% in the presence of PHMA. At concentrations of 252.3 μg/L copper, 335.8 μ/L zinc, 806.2 μg/L lead and 300.2 μg/L cadmium, the metamorphosis of mysis to postlarvae was stopped, but it was 51.0% in the presence of PHMA. The toxicity of copper, zinc, lead, and cadmium to P. chinensis was reduced with PHMA.