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.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Patel, S., and Spencer, C. P., J. Mar. Biol. Assoc., U.K., 43 (1), 167 (1963).
Bruce, J. R., J. Mar. Biol. Assoc., U.K., 15 (2), 553 (1928).
Galliher, E. W., J. Sed. Petrol., 111, 51 (1933).
Perkins, E. J., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (12), 10, 25 (1957).
Brown, A. C., Z. Morph. Okol. Tiere, 49, 629 (1961).
Millard, N. A. H., and Scott, K. M. F., Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., 34, 279 (1953).
Brown, A. C., Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., 35 (5), 463 (1959).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BROWN, A. Effect of Hydrogen Sulphide on Bullia (Gastropoda). Nature 203, 205–206 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1038/203205a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/203205a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.