EXPERIMENTAL METHODS 
Apparatus 
All atomic absorption analyses were made using a Perkin-Elmer atomic 
absorption unit (Model 360) coupled to a Perkin-Elmer heated graphite 
atomizer (Model No. HGA-2100). The weight measurements of the worms 
were made with a Perkin-Elmer microbalance (Auto balance Model No. 
AD-2Z). Freeze-drying of the worms was accomplished using a Virtis (Model 
No. 10-145MR-BA) lyophilizer. Low temperature ashing of the samples was 
done with a L.F.E. (Model LTA-505) low temperature asher. 
Reagents and Materials 
Ultrex HNO^ was used throughout the analytical elution and dissolution 
procedures. Copper standards were made up from a stock solution of ALPHA 
atomic absorption standard copper. All 2/5 dram polyethylene snap-cap vials 
were acid washed in concentrated HNO^ for two days, soaked in demineralized 
water for two days, and finally rinsed five times with copious quantities of 
demineralized water. The vials were allowed to air dry in a class-100 clean 
bench. 
Procedure 
The 61 polychaete specimens used in this study were raised in the 
laboratory. Complete details of the methods to raise the worms are given by 
Pesch and Morgan (2). Live polychaete samples were removed from the 
seawater tanks with the aid of a nylon brush and rinsed in control seawater for 
approximately one minute, and then placed in precleaned polyethylene vials 
(1.2 ml capacity) fitted with snap-caps. The samples were frozen and then 
freeze-dried for 24 hours. The freeze-dried worms were then weighed. The 
average weight was 8.7 ± 4.7 mg. One ml of 5 percent HNO^ was added to the 
worms in their respective vials. The sample vials were capped and allowed to 
stand at room temperature for two days. The worms were then transferred 
from the first extraction vial (A) to precleaned tared vials (B) with the aid of a 
teflon fiber. The tared vials (B) containing the wet acid leached worms were 
again weighed. One ml of 5 percent HNO^ was added to the B vials. The (B) 
vials were capped and allowed to stand at room temperature for two days. The 
worms were again transferred to pretared vials (C) and weighed wet. The 
worms were then freeze-dried and weighed again. During these transfer steps 
care was taken so that the worms did not disintegrate. The insoluble worm 
carcasses were then destroyed by low temperature ashing. The freeze-dried 
worms were inserted into teflon beakers (10 ml capacity) and ashed for 24 
hours at the following conditions: 0 o flow 50 cc/min; and RF power of 50 
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