Influence of 96h sub-lethal copper exposure on aerobic scope and recovery from exhaustive exercise in killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus)

Production of industrial effluents have led to increased copper (Cu) pollution of aquatic ecosystems, impacting the physiology of aquatic vertebrates. Past work has shown that Cu exerts its toxicity by disruption ion regulation and/ or increasing oxidative stress. However, it remains unclear how Cu may influence aerobic metabolism and hypoxia tolerance, two possible targets of its toxicity. To address this issue, we exposed freshwater …