The Effects of High Concentration Copper Pulses on Mortality and Settlement of the Acorn Barnacle, ​Balanus glandula

Abstract

Historically, most research on the effects of pollutants on acorn barnacles has centered around eliminating them from an area. They are among the most severe of marine foulants, and among the most difficult to keep from ship hulls. Copper paint or plating is the most common method for preventing barnacle recruitment on deep water vessels, but this can cause waters around ships and ports to have periodic spikes in copper concentration with unknown effects. In addition, sewage outfalls and runoff along coastline can result in already elevated levels, exacerbating the effects. Acorn barnacles are generally able to cope with high copper concentrations. In order to copper tolerance in the cypris larvae of a common acorn barnacle, 81 Balanus glandula l​ arvae were collected off the west side of San Juan Island, WA, and placed in copper solutions similar in concentration to levels during copper spikes, and allowed to sit for 36 hours. All experimental larvae died without settling.