Influence of copper sulphate on the water and electrolyte balance of the freshwater snail Bulinus (Bulinus) tropicus

The water and electrolyte balance of Bulinus (Bulinus) tropicus, a freshwater pulmonate, was determined when subjected to different sublethal concentrations of copper sulphate. It was found that the lethal dose (LD₅₀), which is the dose lethal to 50% of the snails, is 1,0 ppm in water of pH 8,5. Increasing dosages disturb the ionic and water balance. Haemolymph concentrations of Na ⁺ , Ca²⁺ and Cl^- decrease markedly. The rates of ion influx and efflux for Ca²⁺ , Na ⁺ , Cl^- and ³H₂0, measured With their corresponding radioisotopes, were drastically changed. The results indicate that the physiological effects of copper are not limited to particular organs or tissues but probably occur throughout the snail body. The possible effect of copper sulphate on the in- tegumental exchange mechanisms for Ca²⁺, HCO3^-, Na⁺ , K⁺ and Cl^- are discussed.