Bioconcentration and localization of lead in the freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus Pallas 1677 (Rotifera: Monogononta).
We studied how lead is bioconcentrated and distributed in the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus using metal histochemistry to locate lead granules, Leadmium Green® analysis to establish the route of uptake, atomic absorption to determined the bioconcentration factor (BCF), and detected the presence of microelements in the cuticle by X-ray microanalysis with scanning electron microscopy. Our results indicate: (a) the digestive system is the main route of lead uptake in the rotifer B. calyciflorus, (b) after 24-h lead is deposited in granules in the mastax and vitellarium, (c) our energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis indicates decalcification taking place in the cuticle of the rotifer after a 24-h lead exposure, and (d) we determined a BCF = 115 for lead after a 24 h exposure. However, the route of mobilization and storage of intracellular lead are still not fully understood in B. calyciflorus.
Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Departamento de Química, Avenida Universidad 940, Aguascalientes, Ags., CP 20131, Mexico. jalvaflo@hotmail.com
Jesús
J
Alvarado-Flores
Roberto
R
Rico-Martínez
Javier
J
Ventura-Juárez
Marcelo
M
Silva-Briano
Isidoro
I
Rubio-Franchini
D000818:Animals; D005618:Fresh Water; D007854:Lead / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012403:Rotifera / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D007854:Lead