Reef Central Online Community - View Single Post - What you need to know about copper and coral

IridescentLily · 12/08/2011, 11:41 AM

Hi all,
Starting in December 2011, Reefkeeping Magazine will introduce a new 'Topic Thread'. This will be located in one of Reef Central's forum sections every month. The goal of each Topic Thread will be to share information between experienced and beginners in the hobby with emphasis on contributing interesting facts, ideas, scientific articles, and some question/answer type dialogue on the subject. Afterward, a short summary of the thread will be added to the monthly Reefkeeping Magazine home page.
This month our thread topic is Copper and will be located in The Reef Chemistry forum on Reef Central. Feel free to post, learn or share information regarding this topic written by Cliff Babcock (Highlandreefer).

What You Need To Know About Copper and Coral

For the average hobbyist this subject can get very complicated and the chemistry part can quickly go over their head. For this reason, I would like to try and bring this down to the average hobbyist’s level of understanding.

Copper can take many chemical forms in our tank water. It is important that this is understood. Basically you have the inorganic (often more toxic) and organic forms (often less toxic). It is usually the inorganic forms we are most interested in. When the toxic copper is introduced into tank water it can be grabbed by the organics in the water and can therefore become less toxic. This may occur fairly quickly. Studies have shown however the toxic copper form can act quickly on our coral. If levels are high enough, it can damage coral within hours after it is introduced.

A little history may help understand the copper level in our tanks. Dr. Craig Bingman has studied this in the past. His findings were that our tanks range between 10 ppb - 80 ppb copper. Dr. Randy Holmes-Farley tested his tank and his copper level was around 15 ppb. Bingman’s study on salt mixes years ago found they averaged around 7 ppb copper contrary to what some manufacturers claim. The copper form in salt mixes is a toxic inorganic form in most cases. Keep in mind we are talking ppb (part per billion), which is a very small amount, well below what we as hobbyists can measure. The ocean averages around 0.25 ppb total copper. This includes both the organic and inorganic forms of copper.

What levels of copper are toxic to coral?

Copper toxicity varies greatly depending on the coral species. From scientific research it can vary from 10 ppb - 100 ppb. Hmm, this is the level that many of us may find in our tanks. Why is it that our coral don’t die off from this? Most likely due to the toxic copper binding with the organics in the tank water fairly quickly once it is introduced. This is an important aspect to remember down the road when you add supplements, food & other things that contain the toxic forms of copper. Further complicating matters, scientists have found that different heavy metals combined with copper will increase its toxicity.

Ok, how can we apply this knowledge in a reef tank?

Copper is in alkalinity, calcium & magnesium supplements used in Two-Part supplements. We don’t want to add too much of these supplements at one time. This gives time for the organics in the water to attach the copper and make it less toxic. It also allows tome for the copper to bind to surfgaces like rock and sand, reducing its availability to most organisms. You want to use chemically pure supplements with the lowest levels of copper. Using deicers may be risky since we don’t know their copper level. You do not want to increase the calcium and magnesium level by more than 100 ppm using Two-Part supplements due to this type of concern about impurities.

Using Lime water will reduce the amount of copper added, since at least some of it will precipitate out to the bottom of the reservoir which should not be dosed. Kalk reactors and calcium reactors will add all the copper in the material used, so you want to use the least contaminated material as possible. If you add vinegar to your kalk water, it may increase the level of copper in the limewater.

The foods you add contain copper, checking the copper content in the foods added is called for. Keep in mind copper will build-up in the food chain. Fish that eat high copper content algae will have higher levels. Fish that eat other fish can accumulate more copper in their bodies.

Copper is a micro-nutrient. Over the counter additives containing copper should be avoided. We have enough copper in our tanks already.

Tap water and well water contain copper. If you have copper pipes, this can add a lot of copper. Use RODI water at all times when adding water to your tank, mixing supplements or mixing salt mixes. It's not worth the risk.

What are the symptoms of copper toxicity in coral?

The coral will bleach out and show signs of tissue necrosis within one to two days if enough copper is added. Many things cause tissue necrosis and bleaching in corals, so keep copper in mind if you have problems. Chronic copper poisoning can show up as polyp retention.

An article you may find interesting:

Heavy Metal Levels and Their Potential Toxic Effect on Coral (2009)

© 2009 Academic Journals Inc.

Heavy Metal Levels and Their Potential Toxic Effect on Coral
Galaxeafascicularis from Java Sea, Indonesia
http://docsdrive.com/pdfs/academicjo...009/96-102.pdf

A. Sabdono
Department of Marine Science, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia

Abstract:

Specific aims of the study were to quantify heavy metal concentration in the coral
tissue and to determine the toxic effect of metal on coral Galaxea fascicularis. The
concentration of heavy metals in the coral tissues were assessed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) technique. Various oceanographic parameters were also measured on sampling sites. Controlled tolerance experiment testing copper were performed on coral organism. Series of exposures at different range concentrations (0.025, 0.050, 0.075 and 0.100 mg L-1 Cu) were conducted for 96 h LCso . Results indicated that low variation existed among some oceanographic parameter in depth. Higher concentrations ofPb and Fe were detected in coral tissues. Short duration (24 h) laboratory assay demonstrated dramatic effects (tissue bleaching and death) on coral at copper concentrations (0.1 mg L-1 Cu). The LCSO _96 was determined to be 0.032 mg L-1 Cu (II). The present experimental results demonstrated that heavy metals can have deleterious effect on coral animal, at relatively low concentrations and for brief exposures.

CONCLUSION

Variations of Zn, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Cr concentrations in tissues of the scleractinian coral G. fascicularis were measured to provide information for designing bio-assay surveys involving this coral. Inter-colony variations were measured using single portions (tissue) from different colonies of a coral community. The application of tissues for heavy-metal bio-assays is compromised by consistent inter-colony variation. Comparisons with earlier studies show that G. fascicularis to be the more sensitive to heavy metal toxicity, however this organism could survive in higher
concentrations for longer periods of time than the other coral species. The finding of this study suggest that the metal concentrations in coral tissue might be sensitive to differences in environmental metal load. Future study will need to establish study for quantitatively assessing both the acute and chronic toxic influence of heavy metals on coral physiology from polluted and non-polluted sampling sites.

Copper in the Ocean Environment

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...v_Fp5eR8UMDbrw

12/08/2011, 11:41 AM	#1
IridescentLily Editor-Reefkeeping mag Join Date: May 2008 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 3,858 Blog Entries: 5	What you need to know about copper and coral Hi all, Starting in December 2011, Reefkeeping Magazine will introduce a new 'Topic Thread'. This will be located in one of Reef Central's forum sections every month. The goal of each Topic Thread will be to share information between experienced and beginners in the hobby with emphasis on contributing interesting facts, ideas, scientific articles, and some question/answer type dialogue on the subject. Afterward, a short summary of the thread will be added to the monthly Reefkeeping Magazine home page. This month our thread topic is Copper and will be located in The Reef Chemistry forum on Reef Central. Feel free to post, learn or share information regarding this topic written by Cliff Babcock (Highlandreefer). What You Need To Know About Copper and Coral For the average hobbyist this subject can get very complicated and the chemistry part can quickly go over their head. For this reason, I would like to try and bring this down to the average hobbyist’s level of understanding. Copper can take many chemical forms in our tank water. It is important that this is understood. Basically you have the inorganic (often more toxic) and organic forms (often less toxic). It is usually the inorganic forms we are most interested in. When the toxic copper is introduced into tank water it can be grabbed by the organics in the water and can therefore become less toxic. This may occur fairly quickly. Studies have shown however the toxic copper form can act quickly on our coral. If levels are high enough, it can damage coral within hours after it is introduced. A little history may help understand the copper level in our tanks. Dr. Craig Bingman has studied this in the past. His findings were that our tanks range between 10 ppb - 80 ppb copper. Dr. Randy Holmes-Farley tested his tank and his copper level was around 15 ppb. Bingman’s study on salt mixes years ago found they averaged around 7 ppb copper contrary to what some manufacturers claim. The copper form in salt mixes is a toxic inorganic form in most cases. Keep in mind we are talking ppb (part per billion), which is a very small amount, well below what we as hobbyists can measure. The ocean averages around 0.25 ppb total copper. This includes both the organic and inorganic forms of copper. What levels of copper are toxic to coral? Copper toxicity varies greatly depending on the coral species. From scientific research it can vary from 10 ppb - 100 ppb. Hmm, this is the level that many of us may find in our tanks. Why is it that our coral don’t die off from this? Most likely due to the toxic copper binding with the organics in the tank water fairly quickly once it is introduced. This is an important aspect to remember down the road when you add supplements, food & other things that contain the toxic forms of copper. Further complicating matters, scientists have found that different heavy metals combined with copper will increase its toxicity. Ok, how can we apply this knowledge in a reef tank? Copper is in alkalinity, calcium & magnesium supplements used in Two-Part supplements. We don’t want to add too much of these supplements at one time. This gives time for the organics in the water to attach the copper and make it less toxic. It also allows tome for the copper to bind to surfgaces like rock and sand, reducing its availability to most organisms. You want to use chemically pure supplements with the lowest levels of copper. Using deicers may be risky since we don’t know their copper level. You do not want to increase the calcium and magnesium level by more than 100 ppm using Two-Part supplements due to this type of concern about impurities. Using Lime water will reduce the amount of copper added, since at least some of it will precipitate out to the bottom of the reservoir which should not be dosed. Kalk reactors and calcium reactors will add all the copper in the material used, so you want to use the least contaminated material as possible. If you add vinegar to your kalk water, it may increase the level of copper in the limewater. The foods you add contain copper, checking the copper content in the foods added is called for. Keep in mind copper will build-up in the food chain. Fish that eat high copper content algae will have higher levels. Fish that eat other fish can accumulate more copper in their bodies. Copper is a micro-nutrient. Over the counter additives containing copper should be avoided. We have enough copper in our tanks already. Tap water and well water contain copper. If you have copper pipes, this can add a lot of copper. Use RODI water at all times when adding water to your tank, mixing supplements or mixing salt mixes. It's not worth the risk. What are the symptoms of copper toxicity in coral? The coral will bleach out and show signs of tissue necrosis within one to two days if enough copper is added. Many things cause tissue necrosis and bleaching in corals, so keep copper in mind if you have problems. Chronic copper poisoning can show up as polyp retention. An article you may find interesting: Heavy Metal Levels and Their Potential Toxic Effect on Coral (2009) © 2009 Academic Journals Inc. Heavy Metal Levels and Their Potential Toxic Effect on Coral Galaxeafascicularis from Java Sea, Indonesia http://docsdrive.com/pdfs/academicjo...009/96-102.pdf A. Sabdono Department of Marine Science, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia Abstract: Specific aims of the study were to quantify heavy metal concentration in the coral tissue and to determine the toxic effect of metal on coral Galaxea fascicularis. The concentration of heavy metals in the coral tissues were assessed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) technique. Various oceanographic parameters were also measured on sampling sites. Controlled tolerance experiment testing copper were performed on coral organism. Series of exposures at different range concentrations (0.025, 0.050, 0.075 and 0.100 mg L-1 Cu) were conducted for 96 h LCso . Results indicated that low variation existed among some oceanographic parameter in depth. Higher concentrations ofPb and Fe were detected in coral tissues. Short duration (24 h) laboratory assay demonstrated dramatic effects (tissue bleaching and death) on coral at copper concentrations (0.1 mg L-1 Cu). The LCSO _96 was determined to be 0.032 mg L-1 Cu (II). The present experimental results demonstrated that heavy metals can have deleterious effect on coral animal, at relatively low concentrations and for brief exposures. CONCLUSION Variations of Zn, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Cr concentrations in tissues of the scleractinian coral G. fascicularis were measured to provide information for designing bio-assay surveys involving this coral. Inter-colony variations were measured using single portions (tissue) from different colonies of a coral community. The application of tissues for heavy-metal bio-assays is compromised by consistent inter-colony variation. Comparisons with earlier studies show that G. fascicularis to be the more sensitive to heavy metal toxicity, however this organism could survive in higher concentrations for longer periods of time than the other coral species. The finding of this study suggest that the metal concentrations in coral tissue might be sensitive to differences in environmental metal load. Future study will need to establish study for quantitatively assessing both the acute and chronic toxic influence of heavy metals on coral physiology from polluted and non-polluted sampling sites. Copper in the Ocean Environment http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...v_Fp5eR8UMDbrw __________________ ~April Editor-Reefkeeping Magazine Last edited by Dino; 12/08/2011 at 05:45 PM.