THE BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF COPPER

0,45

MB

101

stron

6222

ID

University of British Columbia

1991

rok

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface 2

Abstract and Executive Summary 3

Table of Contents 5

I - The Biological Importance of Copper . 7

1.I Copper as an essential metal . 7

1.2 Biologically important uses of copper. 10

1.3 Copper and organisms 18

I.3.1 Metal levels in normal tissues . 18

1.3.2 Levels in abnormal tissues 22

1.3.3 Copper and the response of the organism. 27

1.3.4 Copper in dental amalgams 34

I.3.5 Copper in contraceptive devices. 34

1.3.6 Copper as an antifoulant 35

I.3.7 Physiological effects of copper . 36

1.3.8 The interaction of copper with organics . 41

1.3.9 The effects of copper on growth 45

1.3.10 The effect of copper on behaviour 46

I.3.11 The effects of copper on communities. 47

1.3.12 Copper in food and food chains . 48

1.3.13 Organisms as indicators of copper bioavailability 52

1.3.14 Toxicity. 55

II - Copper and Man 60

II.1 Uses of Copper . 60

II.2 Anthropogenic Copper - Nature and Effects 62

III - Copper Speciation and its Biological Importance 72

III.1 Metal Speciation 72

III.2 Copper Bioavailability 74

III.3 Organic Complexing Agents. 75

III.4 Adsorption and Adsorbing Agents 78

IV - Metal-Metal Interactions in Organisms. 81

V - Uptake and Accumulation of Copper by Organisms. 85

VI - Transport of Copper and Geochemical Changes Occurring. in Copper After Introduction into

Natural Environments