TOXICITY OF COPPER TO EARLY LIFE STAGES OF COMMON CARP (CYPRINUS CARPIO L.)

The embryos of Cyprinus carpio L. were exposed from fertilization for 2 h, 24 h or about 80 h (until hatching) to 0.03, 0.05, 0.1 or 0.2 mg/dm(3) of Cu. The development of each embryo was individually observed. Body malformations of newly hatched larvae were registered using camera and computer image analysis system, and evaluated in the photographs. Mortality in 24 hours from fertilization, hatching success (percentage of hatched larvae), and hatch quality (percentage of deformed larvae) were also evaluated. Body malformations were classified. Feeding activity of larvae exposed during embryonic period to various copper concentrations was evaluated using test of capture of Artemia sp. nauplii. In exposure over entire embryonic development period 0.03 mg/dm3 of Cu was the minimum concentration that caused a significant increase in percentage of deformed larvae, and significantly reduced larval feeding activity compared to the control. Body malformations included: spinal curvatures, yolk sac and skull malformations, heart edema and body shortening. The minimum Cu concentration significantly reducing egg swelling, embryo survival in 24 hours post fertilization and hatching success was 0.1 mg/dm3. Percentage of body malformations and feeding activity of larvae were the endpoints most sensitive to Cu exposure during embryonic period.