TOXIC EFFECTS OF BOTH ZINC AND COPPER ON SIZE AND SEX OF PORTUNUS PELAGICUS (L) (CRUSTACEA: DECAPODA)

TOXIC EFFECTS OF BOTH ZINC AND COPPER ON SIZE AND

SEX OF PORTUNUS PELAGICUS (L)

(CRUSTACEA: DECAPODA)

AFAF M. HILMY, NADIA F. ABDEL-HAMID* AND K.S. GHAZALY
Department of Zoology. Faculty of Science, Alexandria University. Egypt.
* Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Alexandria. Egypt.
ABSTRACT
The toxicities of zinc and copper to Portunus pelagicus

(L.) were evaluated on an acute basis. The effects of the

metal concentrations on survival were measured

quantitatively. Mature individuals were found to be less

sensitive to both zinc and copper toxicities than ill1Tlature

ones. Copper was shown to be far more toxi ethan zi nc.

This important conclusion was obtained from the data of

the concentrations of Zn or Cu required to kill more than

50% of the organisms during 96 hours.