ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS FOR TOLERANCE AND EXPLOITATION OF POISONOUS SULFIDE

Many aquatic animal species can survive sulfide exposure to some exten t through oxidation of the sulfide, which results mainly in thiosulfat e. In several species, sulfide oxidation is localized in the mitochond ria and is accompanied by ATP synthesis. In addition, blood-based and intracellular compounds can augment sulfide oxidation. The formation o f thiosulfate requires oxygen, which results in an increase in oxygen consumption of some species. If not all sulfide is detoxified, cytochr ome c oxidase is inhibited. Under these conditions, a sulfide-dependen t anaerobic energy metabolism commences.