Lead and cadmium bioaccumulation in fowl eggs depending on different food concentrations

Cadmium and lead bioaccumulation in eggs from four groups of laying hens was studied. The birds were fed on foods containing different quantities of cadmium and lead, exceeding the official technological standards for three of the groups. Bioaccumulation was studied using two criteria: coefficient of biological intake (CBI), which is the ratio between the concentration of the chemical element in a unit of dry biomass and its fodder concentration, and Klarck of concentration /Kc/ ‐ a dynamic value which includes both the fodder and water concentrations of the elements needed for acquiring a unit of biomass. For the high cadmium and lead concentrations, dissipation of the studied elements in the egg mass was established with lower values of both CBI and Kc.     

Accumulation and elimination of cadmium and lead in juvenile milkfish during sublethal exposure

Pollution of aquatic environments by trace metals is a worldwide environmental problem. Metal pollutants are increasingly being released into the environment as a result of industrialization. In this study, the bioaccumulation of cadmium and lead in young juvenile milkfish liver (Chanos chanos) was investigated after exposure to three sublethal concentration of each pollutants (1/20, 1/10, and 1/5 LC₅₀ of 96-h LC₅₀) for acute time 12, 24, and 96 h and subchronically for 7, 14, and 21 days. Cadmium and lead accumulation in liver increased with the exposure period and concentrations of pollutant. Compared to controls, the uptake of cadmium is much higher than that of lead. Accumulation factors showed an increase with exposure time and for lead an inverse relationship between accumulation factor and exposure concentration. The elimination of the two pollutants during the 30 days depuration was investigated after 30 days depuration time. During this phase, cadmium and lead concentrations decreased.     

Roe and red deer as bioindicators of heavy metals contamination in north-western Poland

The present paper examines the degree of environmental contamination in areas covered by the Natura 2000 programme, located in north-western Poland, with selected heavy metals based on their concentration in target organs of roe and red deer. Lead, cadmium, copper, iron, and zinc concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry. Residues of lead and cadmium were found in most of the analysed samples of roe and red deer organs The concentration of cadmium in the organs of the animals studied was much higher than that of lead. The median for Pb in liver and kidneys was 0.055 and 0.092 μg/g dry weight (d.w.) in roe deer, and 0.067 and 0.081 μg/g d.w. in red deer, respectively. The median for liver and kidney cadmium was 0.770 and 6.139 μg/g d.w. in roe deer, and 0.422 and 6.365 μg/g d.w. in red deer, respectively. Our study has demonstrated that this area is laden with lead and cadmium. This is evidenced by the fact that maximum permissible levels of these elements in the organs of red and roe deer, which were used as bioindicators of environmental contamination, were exceeded.     

Effects of sublethal concentrations of permethrin on bioaccumulation of cadmium in zebra cichlid (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the synergistic and antagonistic effects of permethrin on the bioaccumulation of cadmium in zebra cichlid (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum). Zebra cichlid was exposed to various sublethal concentrations of permethrin combined with cadmium chloride for 15 days. Although at the lowest concentrations, permethrin (0.40 µg L^?1) decreased the bioconcentration potential of cadmium in fish, bioaccumulation of cadmium increased along with increasing concentrations of permethrin (0.80–1.20 µg L^?1). However, the magnitude of changes in the accumulation of cadmium in the fishes simultaneously exposed to 1.60 µg L^?1 permetrin and cadmium chloride was similar to the cadmium levels observed in fishes after exposure to the cadmium chloride alone. The results of this study suggest that the synergistic effects of permethrin on the bioaccumulation of cadmium highly depend on the concentrations of this pesticide in water.     

Contribution to the ecotoxicological study of cadmium,copper and zinc in the mussel Mytilus edulis

A regulation of internal levels of some essential metals has been observed in various animals, whereas the bioaccumulation of several non-essential metals parallels their overloads in water. In the mussel Mytilus edulis L., we have attempted to determine if such a phenomenon exists by comparing the patterns of accumulation of copper and zinc vs cadmium. With this aim, mussels collected in the Bay of Bourgneuf (France) in November 1983 were exposed to these metals for 16 d. At external levels of zinc as high as 100 gl^-1, mussels were able to maintain a normal concentration in all groups of organs for 4 d. The ability of mussels to limit the bioaccumulation of copper and zinc varied from organ to organ, and decreased with higher levels of contamination and longer periods of exposure. In contrast, at the lowest experimental concentration and the lowest period of exposure, a significant increase of cadmium in mussel tissues was generally observed. Even at the highest sub-lethal doses, the levels of copper and zinc in mussel tissues were not much higher than the natural levels (contaminated:background ratios= 2.3 to 6.1), whereas the bioaccumulation of cadmium was less well restricted (contaminated:background ratios=136 to 192). The use of mussels as a bioindicator of pollution seems doubtful for essential metals, particularly as regards short-term pollution, since the levels of these trace elements in the organisms are largely independent of their concentration in the ambient seawater.     

Untersuchungen zur Eignung wildlebender Wanderratten (Rattus norvegicus) als Indikatoren der Schwermetallbelastung

Depot compartments which are the primary sites of pollutant enrichment in the organism can be used as bioindicators (targets) in order to identify a burden for certain elements. Background concentrations of eleven elements in tissues and organs of wild-living rats (Rattus norvegicus) obtained from a region (Euroregion Neisse, around the trilateral border region of Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic) distinguished by low to intermediate levels of environmental contaminations are given in part I of this work. In order to identify the most important depot compartments for certain elements, a body burden method was applied. Differences of affinity due to sex and age of analyzed rats are discussed, as are the suitability of specific organs and tissues with regard to bioaccumulation measurements concerning metals. The principal depot compartments for the heavy metals Cu, Mn, Cd (in adult rats) and Tl are the liver and kidneys, whereas the elements Ni, Sr, Pb (for adult animals) and Ti are more affinitivly to bones. Co and Zn displayed a more pronounced affinity towards tissues of the bones and liver. The analysis revealed large differences in Cd and Pb distributions both among young and adult rats, and with respect to sexes. It can be concluded that the distribution of the elements investigated in this study in free-living rats agrees with that in man, except for that of Ni. The above agreement gives proof of the possibility to use depot organs of rats for bioindication which was already mentioned in part I of this work (‘Sex and age-related quantification of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti, Tl and Zn in liver, heart, lung, kidney, muscle, brain and bones and establishment of distribution patterns’).     

Organochlorines and heavy metals in the harbour seal Phoca vitulina from the German North Sea Coast

Samples of various tissues and organs from healthy, sick and dead harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) from the North German Waddensea collected during the years 1974–1976 were analysed for copper, zinc, total mercury, cadmium lead, and organochlorine pesticide residues (PCB, DDT, Lindane and Dieldrin). The investigations were carried out in order to increase our knowledge about the actual degree of heavy metal and organochlorine pesticide accumulation in these animals. The study was also directed towards a comparison of healthy and sick young seals and those found dead for a possible relation between the condition and concentration of polutants in the organs. There was great variation within all series of compounds investigated, but in general the analytical data obtained indicated that high amounts of heavy metals and organochlorine pesticides can be present even in young seals. An age-specific increase in the mercury and cadmium content in liver samples could be demonstrated. The results are compared with data published by British and Dutch authors for other North Sea regions, and with a few exceptions, no significant differences can be established: cadmium (kidney) and DDT (blubber) contents in areas off the British coast are usually higher than corresponding values for seals from the German coast. There was no clear evidence that the concentrations of any of the compounds investigated had negative effects on the health of the seals. However, possible combined effects cannot be excluded.     

Trace Metal Voltammetric Determination of Otoliths of Tench Tinca Tinca (L.): Its Possible Uses in Monitoring the Quality of Fresh Waters

New data of heavy metals in otoliths of fresh water teleosts are reported. Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) has been used for determining copper, lead, cadmium and zinc in otoliths of tench, Tinca tinca (L.). the analytical procedure followed gives data of good repeatability and with low detection limits, in a simple and inexpensive way. Tench of age ranging from 3 to 8 years were examined. Four year old fish had maximum concentrations of heavy metals, and an otolith weight adequate for experimental determinations in bulked samples. Fresh water teleosts are less mobile than marine ones, and could be used for monitoring the quality of waters suspected for pollution, and eventually verifying the influence of the environmental variations on the metal bioaccumulation.     

铅、镉联合暴露对公鸡生长早期生殖发育的影响

为研究铅、镉联合暴露对公鸡生长早期的生殖毒性,150只1日龄雄性AA(爱拨益加)肉鸡被随机分成5组:C、T1、T2、T3和T4,每组6个重复,每重复5只,分别饲喂基础日粮及基础上添加10 mg·kg-1铅+2 mg·kg-1镉、10 mg·kg-1铅+50mg·kg-1镉、100 mg·kg-1铅+2 mg·kg-1镉...     

土壤中腐殖酸对外源农用稀土生物可利用性的影响

采用盆栽实验方法，研究了腐殖酸对稀土元素在土壤-植物体系中的迁移、富集和生物可利用性的影响，结果表明，在试验土壤红壤中，稀土元素主要富集在小麦根部，加入低浓度的腐殖酸后，促进了小麦对稀土元素的吸收：而高浓度的腐殖酸则抑制小麦对稀土元素的吸收，腐殖酸浓度过高时，对小麦生长产生毒害作用，同时发现，小麦中叶绿素含量与小麦中稀土含量存在相关关系。     

Pollution characteristics of lead,zinc, arsenic,and cadmium in short-term storm water roof runoff in a suburban area

Pollution of hazardous elements in roof runoff has been a potential danger to aquatic ecosystem as documented in previous studies. In this study, concentrations of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) in roof runoff were measured for short-term rainfall events. The concentrations of the selected elements varied to a high degree during the rainfall period, and the well-known first-flush phenomenon was not observed due to the short-term rainfall patterns. Based on event mean concentrations (EMCs) and fluxes, the elemental pollution may be ranked as Zn >> Pb > As > Cd. The average levels of Pb and Zn exceeded the fourth class value and fifth class value of the environmental quality standards for surface water in China. The relative high pollution could be caused by atmospheric deposition and the erosion of crust steel appurtenance installed above the rooftop. Furthermore, elements in particulate form dominated the roof runoff pollution, and the ratios of elements in particulate form to total amounts were 0.6 (As), 0.9 (Pb), 0.7 (Cd), and 0.5 (Zn). This study cleared the pollution characteristics of hazardous elements in short-term storm water roof runoff; it was useful for the selection of best management practices.     

Baseline study on Cd,Cu and Pb concentrations in Atlantic neuston organisms

Neuston organisms were caught during two Atlantic expeditions (1982 and 1987) between 48°N and 40° S. About 1200 individuals from 19 taxa were analysed for cadmium, copper and lead. The distribution of metal concentrations was log-normal and thus best described by the median and the percentiles. Fourteen taxa with sample numbers larger than 20 were subjected to a logarithmic regression of weight vs metal concentration. The metal concentrations from populations with significant correlations were then weight-corrected: eight populations for lead, five for cadmium and four for copper. When grouped into ecological categories the pleuston organisms displayed significantly higher cadmium concentrations than the euneuston, which in turn had higher values than the pseudo-and/or facultative neuston. The relative deviation from the median was used in an averaging operation to obtain a broader spatial resolution of the neuston-bound metals, based on 16 taxa which were encountered at ten or more stations. The geographical distribution of cadmium and lead can be interpreted in light of chemical oceanographic knowledge and underlines the importance of organisms in the biogeochemical cycling of metals in the sea.     

Pb、Cd及其复合污染对紫茎泽兰生长及吸收富集特征的影响

外来植物紫茎泽兰（Eupatorium adenophorum）入侵我国西南地区并造成了严重的生态灾难,通过研究Pb、Cd及其复合污染对紫茎泽兰生长及吸收富集特征的影响,有助于从生态学角度为紫茎泽兰的综合防控提供依据。采用模拟Pb、Cd污染土壤培养法研究了不同浓度Pb、Cd及其复合污染作用下紫茎泽兰的生长响应及重金属吸收、富集和迁移特征变化。结果表明：低浓度的Pb、Cd对紫茎泽兰的生长有促进作用,高浓度则表现出一定的抑制作用,生物量,株高,根长均明显减少。紫茎泽兰体内Pb、Cd吸收量与污染土壤具有良好的相关性,随处理浓度增加明显增大,极端浓度Pb、Cd胁迫下紫茎泽兰各器官Pb、Cd积累量与对照相比显著增加,1000 mg·kg-1处理时紫茎泽兰根、茎、叶的Pb质量分数均分别高达603.69、568.31、598.85 mg·kg-1;100 mg·kg-1 Cd处理时其根、茎、叶的Pb、Cd累积量依次为165.21、93.59、152.79 mg·kg-1。说明紫茎泽兰对Pb、Cd具有较好吸收累积及转运能力,可作为重金属污染地区的一种理想的修复植物。     

Physicochemical characteristics and distribution of some metals in the ecosystem of Lake Nasser,Egypt

To know the interrelationship between some metals in different ecosystem components (water, sediment, aquatic plant and fish), many samples from these components were collected from four bights at the Nasser Lake, Egypt, and analyzed for Fe, Mn, Zn, Ca, Mg, Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, Cu and Cr using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Different distribution factors (bioaccumulation factor – BF, discrimination factor – DF and enrichment factor – EF) were applied on the results of analysis. Data showed that the relatively high concentration of measured metals in water samples are derived from fish farms, and discharge of tourism and trade ships. Applying single leaching sequential technique on sediment samples, using different extracting solutions, revealed a strong ability of trace metals to adsorb on or co-precipitate with amorphous Fe/Mn oxides. High concentrations of Fe, Mn, Co and Ni were measured in the intestine while high Cd and Cr concentrations were recorded in the stomach in both Tilapia (nilotica and galilea). Tilapia galilea accumulated high Pb, Cu and Zn concentrations in their stomach, while in nilotica high concentrations of Pb, Cu and Zn were measured in the intestine, liver and muscles, respectively. Myriophyllum spicatum (an aquatic plant) in the lake recorded high concentrations of Fe, Mn and Zn. Bioaccumulation factors of studied elements in the different bights components indicate that the elevated concentration of measured elements in the aquatic plant and Tilapia (nilotica and galilea) are derived from water, reflecting the increase of human activities in Nasser Lake in recent years. However, the present study concluded that all the elements studied were still below the natural back-ground levels, except Zn and Cu.     

Anreicherung atmosphärischer Depositionen von Metallen und Stickstoff in Moosen Mecklenburg-Vorpommerns von 1990 bis 2005

Background, aim and scope Since 1990 the UN ECE Heavy Metals in Mosses Surveys provide data inventories of the atmospheric heavy metal bioaccumulation across Europe. In the survey 2005 the nitrogen accumulation was measured for the first time in most of the participating countries. In Germany, the surveys were conducted in close cooperation of the relevant authorities of both the Federal Republic and the sixteen states. Therefore, statistical evaluations of the moss survey data with regard to the whole German territory and single federal states are of interest. This article concentrates on Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, dealing with the mapping of the spatiotemporal trends of metal accumulation from 1990 to 2005, the spatial patterns of nitrogen accumulation in 2005, and the spatial variability of bioaccumulation due to characteristics of the sampling sites and their surroundings. Materials and methods The bioaccumulation of up to 40 trace elements in mosses was determined according to a Europe-wide harmonised methodology. The according experimental protocol regulates the selection of sampling sites and moss species, the chemical analysis and quality control and the classification of the measured values for mapping spatial patterns. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania all sampling sites were described with regard to topographical and ecological characteristics and several criteria to be fulfilled according to the guideline. Together with the measurements this metadata was combined with other information regarding land use in the surroundings of the sampling sites in the WebGIS MossMet. The spatial structure of the metal bioaccumulation was analysed and modelled by variogram analyses and then mapped by applying different kriging techniques. Furthermore, multi metal indices (MMI) were derived for both the sampling sites and raster maps with help of percentile statistics: The MMI_1990–2005 was calculated for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Ti, V and Zn. The statistical association of the metal bioaccumulation, site specific characteristics as well as information on land use and emissions was analysed by bivariate nonparametric correlation analysis, contingency tables and Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID). Results The results of the quality controlled chemical analyses show a significant decrease of the metal bioaccumulation in Germany from 1990 to 2000 for all elements. However, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania the concentrations of Cr and Zn are even significantly higher than those found in 1990. From 2000 to 2005?a further non-significant increase can be stated for As, Cu, Ni and Ti. The concentrations of Cd and Pb decreased significantly throughout all four surveys. The MMI illustrates the temporal trend of the metal bioaccumulation as a whole: After a significant decrease from 1990 to 2000 it increased significantly till 2005. The N concentration in mosses in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania reaches from 1.3 to 2.3?% in dry mass and is negatively correlated with the forest ratio in the surroundings of the moss sampling sites and to the same degree positively correlated with the area ratio of agricultural land uses. Except for Cd, Pb and Sb all metal concentrations in the mosses are negatively correlated with the forest ratio around the sampling sites. With the exception of Cr all metal concentrations are further negatively correlated with the precipitation sums of the accumulation periods. Only the Cu and Zn concentrations show no or rather a negative correlation with the tree height whereas all other elements exhibit positive correlations. Furthermore, all elements except Cr are significantly associated to the sampled moss species, the growth pattern and the frequency of occurrence of the mosses at the respective sampling sites. Exemplified for Cu multivariate correlations were furthermore detected by CHAID. It could be shown that the frequency of the mosses, the sampled moss species, the distance to motorways and the distance to the Baltic Sea are the statistically most significant boundary conditions of the Cu concentrations in the mosses sampled in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in 2005. No correlations were found between the modelled total depositions and the concentrations of Cd, Hg and Pb in the mosses at p < 0.1. For Pb in 1995?r is 0.52 at p = 0.012, for the other surveys no correlations at p < 0.05 could be found. Discussion The increase of the Cr bioaccumulation from 2000 till 2005 is particularly pronounced in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. This trend is confirmed with regional differences in the national average as well as in other participating countries like in Switzerland. Deposition measurements did not register this trend. In contrast to the UNECE area, the federal territory and several federal states no correlations were found between the modelled total depositions and the metal concentrations in the mosses. Conclusions The fact that no correlations were found between the modelled total depositions and the element concentrations in the mosses may be caused by the low spatial resolution (50?×?50?km) of the EMEP data. The moss surveys contribute to the heavy metal and the multi-component-model of CLRTAP because they prove on different spatial scales how air pollution control influences the accumulation of emitted substances in environmental subjects of protection like vegetation. In contrast to deposition measurement networks the moss monitoring identified a trend reversal in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: The continuous decrease of the metal bioaccumulation in mosses from 1990 till 2000 has changed to an increase of several metals between 2000 and 2005. This increase is significant for Cr and Zn. Recommendations and perspectives The spatial resolution of the EMEP deposition data should be enhanced based on the Europe-wide regression relationship between the element concentrations in the deposition and in the mosses. For regional studies the existing but so far not useable deposition measurement data of the federal states should be made available. It should further be investigated what caused the increase of the Cr concentrations above the level of 1990 – perhaps emissions or biogenic effects as a consequence of simultaneously increased nitrogen loads? The Heavy Metals in Mosses Surveys are a positive example for environmental monitoring activities reaching across three spatial and administrative levels: regional (e.?g. federal state or natural landscape), nation wide (e.?g. Germany) and continental (e.?g. Europe). In Germany the harmonised and quality controlled moss data are made available via a WebGIS portal. Therefore the moss data may easily be accessed for environmental monitoring purposes and the control of environmental political actions. Hence, the continuous task of environmental monitoring can be met and carried on in the future. It should further be considered to expand the moss monitoring on the survey of persistent organic pollutants and apply it in human-biomonitoring. This would facilitate the acquisition of indoor and outdoor pollution with the same receptor.     

Metal interaction during accumulation by the mussel Mytilus edulis planulatus

Mytilus edulis planulatus (Lamarck) were collected from Howden, South-east Tasmania in autumn 1981. Interaction effects of cadmium, copper and zinc during accumulation by mussels exposed for ten days to all three metals simultaneously were examined in a series of experiments in which each metal was tested at three concentrations. In general, interaction effects were most evident at the highest concentrations tested (20 g l^-1 Cd; 20 g l^-1 Cu; 200 g l^-1 Zn) and led to a reduction in the accumulation of cadmium and an increase in that of copper and zinc. More specifically, high levels of zinc caused a decrease in cadmium uptake and an increase in copper accumulation. The presence of copper resulted in depressed cadmium accumulation while zinc accumulation increased. Cadmium tended to enhance zinc accumulation, but copper accumulation was only affected to any great extent when zinc was also present.     

深圳市农林土壤重金属累积现状及风险评价研究（Heavy Metal Accumulation Characters and Risk Assessment in the Soil of Agriculture and Forest of Shenzhen Area）

为探讨深圳市农林土壤重金属的污染现状,系统采集了深圳市菜地、果园、林地和荒地4种土地利用的52个土壤样品,测定了Cu、Pb、Cd、Zn、Cr、Ni6种重金属的全量,对深圳市农林土壤重金属20余年来的累积状况进行了分析并进行了初步的风险评价.结果发现,深圳农林土壤均存在不同程度的重金属累积,总体而言,Cu、Pb、Zn、Cr和Ni的累积较轻,Zn的最大含量尚未超过其80年代末背景值的最大值;Cd的累积最为严重,其最大含量已为背景最大值的16倍.以GB15618-1995为标准,对深圳农林土壤的重金属风险进行评价后发现,Cu的污染最轻,仅20%的菜地土壤超过国家一级标准,Pb50%超过国家一级标准,但尚未超过二级标准;Zn、Cr和Ni均有一定比例的样点超过二级标准,最少4%,最高50%,但未有超过三级标准的样点;Cd的风险最大,不仅有大量超过一、二级标准的样点,而且超过三级标准的样点也占有一定的比例(菜地、果园、林地和荒地土壤中Cd含量超过三级标准的比例分别为10%、23%、29%和50%).深圳农林土壤中的Cd污染应该引起相关部门的重视.     

Source and Distribution of Heavy Metals in Food†

Diet is the major route of exposure to contaminants, therefore food monitoring programs are essential to estimate the degree of human risk. We present a study undertaken in Austria dealing with the total uptake of mercury, cadmium, arsenic and lead. The dates were calculated from diet as well as from commercial food. Higher contaminated foodstuffs are registered and a comparison was made between body burden of babies and adults on the basis of bodyweight. It was pointed out, that cooked or washed food ready to eat has a lower burden of lead and cadmium than non prepared food due to household processing, which may decontaminate food to some extent’ Arsenic content was not reduced, because it is bound chemically and not primarily deposited on the surface of food such as in the case of lead. It was mentioned that the type of compound plays an important role in the assessment of action of those elements on humans.

Their biological activity is not necessarily related to their concentration in food. As in the case of selenium and chromium one has to take into consideration that there is a narrow range between benefit and harm, toxicity, and minor supply.

Therefore we conclude, that due to interactions of elements, their different biological activity and due to the difference of compounds present in food, we have to relativate the terms toxicity and essentiality. Then we can get a more profound insight into the problems of trace elements in food.     

An assessment of copper,zinc and cadmium contamination and their ecotoxicological effects in O. mediterranea Costa, 1853 (Amphipoda,Talitridae)

This study was conducted to compare metals bioaccumulation in the Talitrid O. mediterranea collected from the banks of Bizerte lagoon. Individuals were exposed to a series of contaminated soil with different concentrations of cadmium, copper, and zinc. Biological and physiological responses were highlighted. Body metals concentrations were measured in the talitrid using flame atomic emission spectrometry. Results showed that after the second week, the mortality increased especially with cadmium exposure, and a mass gain was obtained between weeks for copper and zinc. Furthermore, the concentration factor indicated that O. mediterranea could be considered as a macroconcentrator of copper and zinc. Histopathological analysis showed that the different metals concentrations induced significant changes in the morphology and in the ultrastructural organisation of hepatopancreatic cells. Significant alterations obtained after metals exposure were the increase in the number of the majority cell organelles. Also, heavy metals were present in the form of numerous granules with different size in the cell surface. Furthermore, metals exposure affected the brush border causing the disruption of microvilli filament. Through these results, O. mediterranea could be a good indicator providing measurable responses. It could be an attractive candidate for the biochemical study of heavy metals toxicity in coastal ecosystems.     

Accumulation of cadmium by larvae and adults of an Hawaiian bivalve,Isognomon californicum,during chronic exposure

Larvae and adults of an Hawaiian bivalve, Isognomon californicum, were exposed to sublethal, environmentally realistic concentrations of cadmium (2 and 20 ppb) for 28 d, and the accumulation of cadmium was evaluated. The concentrations of cadmium were expressed in terms of total cadmium (tissue and shell concentrations combined) and tissue cadmium. The accumulation rates of larvae were one to two orders of magnitude greater than adult rates. This study suggests that the faster uptake rates of larvae may explain why larvae are more sensitive than adults. Furthermore, the magnitude of differences between larval and adult accumulation rates may be related to metabolic rate. When larvae and adults were exposed to cadmium for only 14 d, followed by a 14 d depuration period, a substantial loss of cadmium was observed during the depuration period. Possible accumulation mechanisms and their similarity between larvae and adults are discussed.