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Effect of Hydrogen Sulphide on Bullia (Gastropoda)

Abstract

THE toxicity of hydrogen sulphide to mammals and certain other vertebrate animals is well known, and it is generally considered that the lethal effects of this substance are due in part to direct combination with the animal's hæmoglobin, leading to the formation of choleglobin and sulphæmoglobin, as well as to the inhibition of several enzyme systems associated with heavy metals. Invertebrate animals do not appear to have been investigated in this respect, excepting only Arenicola marina, the hæmoglobin of which does not combine with hydrogen sulphide but is a very active catalyst of sulphide oxidation1. By means of this, and possibly other, mechanisms, the worm is able to tolerate high concentrations of sulphide for lengthy periods.

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References

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BROWN, A. Effect of Hydrogen Sulphide on Bullia (Gastropoda). Nature 203, 205–206 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1038/203205a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/203205a0

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