EFFECTS OF ZINC AND COPPER EXPOSURE ON GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF ARTEMIA URMIANA AND ARTEMIA FRANCISCANA

The effects of exposure to Zinc and Copper in developing from nauplius to adult stages in two species, A. urmiana and A. franciscana were studied. The growth and lifespan of the specimens under treatments also have been investigated.
During the period of the experiments, both species of Artemia were exposed by Zinc-treated groups (23, 68, 114 mg/l) and also copper-treated groups (13, 25, 38 mg/l) and compared with control group without any metal treatment. However, in treatments with Zinc and Copper concentrations, lifespan was reduced in comparison with that of the control treatments.
Results showed that Zinc and Copper have toxic effects on A. urmiana and A. franciscana. Although the resistance of both of them was high, but A. urmiana was more endure than A. franciscana. It is, suggested that the two Artemia species might have adopted a strategy to speed up growth and reproduce before metal pollution can cause death for them. Also, this study indicated that Zinc was less toxic than Copper for the two species investigated.