Terrestrial invertebrates, metal

Numerous and disparate copper criteria are proposed for protecting the health of agricultural crops, aquatic life, terrestrial invertebrates, poultry, laboratory white rats, and humans (Table 3.8) however, no copper criteria are now available for protection of avian and mammalian wildlife, and this needs to be rectified. Several of the proposed criteria do not adequately protect sensitive species of plants and animals and need to be reexamined. Other research areas that merit additional effort include biomarkers of early copper stress copper interactions with interrelated trace elements in cases of deficiency and excess copper status effects on disease resistance, cancer, mutagenicity, and birth defects mechanisms of copper tolerance or acclimatization and chemical speciation of copper, including measurement of flux rates of ionic copper from metallic copper. 

Most terrestrial invertebrates have limited access to water and feed on solid matter. As a consequence, they take up most of their nutrients by ingestion of foodstuffs that are also the vehicle for ingestion of contaminants. Many of the class a , metals that are taken up are found in membrane-bound granules in the cells of the hepatopancreas, although uncertainties remain as to the initiation of granule formation. Other metals, such as the class b metal cadmium, may be in the granule or may be bound to a metallothionein type protein. 

Posthuma L, Van Straalen NM. 1993. Heavy-metal adaptation in terrestrial invertebrates a review of occurrence, genetics, physiology and ecological consequences. Comp Biochem Physiol C 106 11-38. 

Dallinger, R. (1993) Strategies of metal detoxification in terrestrial invertebrates. In Ecotoxicol-ogy of Metals in Invertebrates. Dallinger, R. and Rainbow, P.S. (eds), pp. 245-89. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton FL. 

Hopkin, S.P. (1989) Ecophysiology of Metals in Terrestrial Invertebrates. Elsevier Applied Science, London. 

Allen HE, editor. 2002. Bioavailability of metals in terrestrial ecosystems importance of partitioning for bioavailability to invertebrates, microbes, and plants. Metals and the Environment Series. New York SETAC. 

All manner of pollutants are considered under the discipline of terrestrial ecotoxicology including pesticides, persistent organic pollutants, other organic substances, and metals and metalloids (e.g., selenium and arsenic). Naturally occurring toxins such as those produced by poisonous plants, snakes, or invertebrates generally are not included unless people intentionally apply them for pest control. For example, the pyrethroid pesticides are derived from the naturally occurring pyrethrin toxin that is found in chrysanthemum. 

Bioavailability of Metals in Terrestrial Ecosystems Importance of Partitioning for Bioavailability to Invertebrates, Microbes, and Plants Allen, editor 2001... 

Terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates exhibit similar propensity for metal accumulation. Larvae, beetles, and centipedes accumulate metals above background levels but tend to depurate them quickly (33-35). Metal... 

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