The effect of temperature and salinity on copper body-burden and copper toxicity to Hediste (Nereis) diversicolor.

Temperature from 12 to 22°C and salinity from 30.5 to 7.6‰ increased accumulation of copper in Hediste diversicolor. Copper accumulated ranged from 85.83 to 217.14 μg g(-1). Sediments reduced accumulation of copper under temperature-salinity combinations. Accumulated copper ranged from 90.19 to 153.26 μg g(-1).However, mortality of the worms was not solely dependent upon copper body-burden. It ranged from 34 to 45% and from 38 to 80% in the presence of sediment. A combination of osmoregulatory and thermal stresses increased the toxic effect of copper to the worms.