Effects of Hematological Parameters and Plasma Components of Starry Flounder, Platichthys stellatus, by Waterborne Copper Exposure

Starry flounder (<i>Platichthys stellatus</i>) (weight 96.42 ± 19.17 g, length 20.65 ± 1.04 cm) were exposed to waterborne copper at 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 mg Cu²⁺/L for 96 h. The lethal concentration 50 (LC₅₀) of the <i>P. stellatus</i> exposed to waterborne copper was 15.644 mg Cu²⁺/L. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and RBC count were significantly decreased by waterborne copper exposure. MCV (mean corpuscular volume) (µL) and MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) (%) were also significantly decreased. The inorganic components, plasma calcium, and plasma magnesium were significantly increased. The organic components, such as plasma glucose, were significantly increased. In enzymatic components, the AST and ALT were also significantly increased by copper exposure. The results of this study indicate that exposure to copper may have effects on the survival rates and hematological parameters of the <i>P. stellatus</i>.