Evaluation of the variegated scallop Chlamys varia as a biomonitor of temporal trends of Cd, Cu, and Zn in the field.
This study assesses the potential of the scallop Chlamys varia as a biomonitor of metal contamination in the field. Cd, Cu, and Zn concentrations were determined in the soft tissues and organs of individuals from the French Atlantic coast sampled over a 1 year period and covering a wide range of size. All metals were selectively distributed among the different body compartments considered, and their concentrations were influenced by the size of the specimens or the sampling-season. The present work shows the importance of considering the body compartment, the sampling period and the size in studies aiming at using this scallop as a biomonitor species. Among tissues, the digestive gland and kidneys exhibited the highest metal concentrations whatever the season or the size. The digestive gland contained 65 and 48% of the whole Cd and Cu body burdens, respectively, and kidneys accounted for 85% of the Zn load. Those tissues are therefore particularly recommended for use in biomonitoring programs.
Bustamante
Paco
P
Laboratoire de Biologie et Environnement Marins, FRE 2727 du CNRS, Université de La Rochelle, 22 Avenue Michel Crépeau, F-17042 La Rochelle, France. pbustama@univ-lr.fr
Miramand
Pierre
P
D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000737:chemistry*; D001822:Body Burden; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D004064:Digestive System / Q000737:chemistry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D007668:Kidney / Q000737:chemistry; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D011174:Portugal; D012621:Seasons; D012623:Seawater; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002104:Cadmium; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc