Field assessment of effects of timing and frequency of copper pulses on settlement of sessile marine invertebrates

Abstract

CuSO4-treated plaster blocks were used to create localised concentrations of copper significantly above ambient levels. Between October 1996 and March 1997 we used this system to manipulate the timing and frequency of transient copper-pollution events close to settlement plates. We assessed the impacts on the development of assemblages of sessile marine invertebrates that occur on hard substrates at Breakwater Pier in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia. Barnacle densities were reduced by up to one-third, while serpulid polychaetes were insensitive. Assemblages at different stages of development were differentially sensitive to short-term pulses. Reductions in sponge and scyphozoan polyp densi..