Copper is an essential nutrient at low concentrations, but is toxic to aquatic organisms at higher concentrations. In addition to acute effects such as mortality, chronic exposure to copper can lead to adverse effects on survival, growth, reproduction as well as alterations of brain function, enzyme activity, blood chemistry, and metabolism.
This swamp is also the home of the legendary Honey Island Swamp monster, which has from time to time been known as the Tainted Keitre. Honey Island Swamp is located on the Pearl River wildlife management area and managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
In 1990, populations of African honey bees had saturated South and Central America and begun to move into the USA. As of 2012, African honey bees had been found in the southernmost USA: Texas, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, and Florida. The spread of African bees in the U.S. continues, albeit at a much slower rate than what occurred throughout South and Central America.