Effect of copper exposure and recovery period in reared Diplodus sargus

The aquaculture growth can be followed by the occurrence of more and new pathogenic agents, since the production leads to higher fish densities in confined areas more appropriate to the appearance and propagation of pathologies. Copper sulfate has been widely used in preventing and controlling fish parasites. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of copper treatments in the fish tissues (bioaccumulation and histological changes in different organs), mortality and evaluate what happens during the recovery period. White sea bream (Diplodus sargus) were exposed to copper sulfate (0.25 and 0.5 mg L⁻¹) during 60 days followed with a 75-day recovery period. The results showed that the concentration of copper in fish liver was significantly higher in the 0.5 mg L⁻¹ treatment than in the 0.25 mg L⁻¹ treatment. Conversely, copper load in the muscle did not differ significantly between treatments and control. Copper levels in muscle, and especially in liver, increased during copper exposure (up to 60 days). In summary, at higher concentrations copper sulfate treatment (0.5 mg L⁻¹) might be toxic to fish, which showed histological alterations and copper accumulation in their tissues, mainly in the liver. Nevertheless, individuals returned to their original state after a 75-day recovery period and the tested copper concentrations does not represents risk for food safety.