Copper-binding proteins in liver of bluegills exposed to increased soluble copper under field and laboratory conditions.

Livers from bluegills exposed to increased soluble copper (Cu) under field and laboratory conditions were analyzed to determine the concentration and distribution of Cu in metalloproteins of different molecular size. Analyses were performed on bluegills collected from the impoundment of the H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant (Florence, SC) near the effluent discharge from the power plant, near the water intake to the cooling system, and from a control pond as well as on bluegills exposed under controlled laboratory conditions. Metalloproteins were separated into low molecular weight (LMW), intermediate molecular weight (IMW), and high molecular weight (HMW) fractions by using high-performance liquid chromatography. In the field-exposed bluegills, Cu concentrations in the LMW, IMW, and HMW fractions were highest in bluegills from the discharge site and lowest in those from the control pond. In the laboratory-exposed bluegills, Cu concentrations in the fractions increased with exposure concentration and time. Concentrations of Cu in the LMW protein fraction and pellet of bluegills exposed to 160 micrograms Cu/L appeared to plateau with long exposure times, whereas those in the HMW fraction continued to increase. Bluegills maintained in 80 micrograms Cu/L water at pH 5.5 accumulated lower concentrations of Cu in the LMW and pellet fractions and higher amounts in the HMW than in those maintained in 80 micrograms Cu/L at pH 7.0. Mortality was dependent on exposure concentration and duration and was higher in bluegills maintained in water at pH 5.5 than at pH 7.0.