Previous aquaria-based experiments have shown dissolution and leaching of metals, especially copper (Cu), from the simulated sediment plumes generated during mining activities resulting in a pronounced increase of Cu contamination in the surrounding seawater. Metals are bioavailable to corals with food, through ingestion (particulate phase) and through tissue-facilitated transport (passive diffusion). With corals being particularly vulnerable to metal contamination, resuspension of metal-bearing sediments during mining activities represents an important ecological threat. This study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of acute copper exposure (LC50;96 h) on the survival of the cold-water octocoral Dentomuricea aff. meteor. The experimental design was divided in two stages. In stage one, a Cu range-finding toxicity test was performed using Cu dilutions in filtered seawater with concentrations of 0 (control); 60; 150; 250; 450; 600 μg/L. Coral mortality was investigated visually based on the percent surface area of tissue changing from natural yellow colour to black colour indicative of tissue necrosis and death. In stage two, we used the results obtained in the range-finding experiment, to define sub-lethal Cu exposure treatments and exposed D. meteor to Cu concentration of 0 (control); 50; 100; 150; 200; 250 μg/L for 96 h. The corals physical conditions were inspected daily and seawater conditions recorded. Corals were considered dead when all of their tissue turned black. The LC50 value was calculated with regression analysis following Probits methodology. Our results indicate that Cu LC50;96 h for the octocoral D. meteor is 137 μg/L.
Keywords: Cold-water corals; Copper; Deep-sea mining; Dentomuricea meteor; Gorgonian; LC(50).
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