title: Toxicity and the fractional distribution of trace metals accumulated from contaminated sediments by the clam Scrobicularia plana exposed in the laboratory and the field.
abstract: The relationship between the subcellular distribution of accumulated toxic metals into five operational fractions (subsequently combined into presumed detoxified and non-detoxified components) and toxicity in the clam Scrobicularia plana was investigated under different laboratory exposures. Clams were exposed to metal contaminated media (water and diet) and analysed for the partitioning of accumulated As, Cu and Zn into subcellular fractions. In general, metallothionein-like proteins, metal-rich granules and cellular debris in different proportions acted as main storage sites of accumulated metals in the clam soft tissues for these three metals. No significant differences were noted in the accumulation rates of As, Cu and Zn of groups of individuals with or without apparent signs of toxicity after up to 30 days of exposure to naturally contaminated sediment mixtures. There was, however, an increased proportional accumulation of Cu in the non-detoxified fraction with increased Cu accumulation rate in the clams, suggesting that the Cu uptake rate from contaminated sediments exceeded the combined rates of elimination and detoxification of Cu, with the subsequent likelihood for toxic effects in the clams.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom. Electronic address: judit.kalman@uca.es.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kalman
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical-Chemistry, University of Cadiz, Poligono Industrial Rio San Pedro s/n, 11,510 Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonnail-Miguel
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Science, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Bury
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Rainbow
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000378:metabolism*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008668:Metallothionein
keywords: Arsenic; Bioaccumulation; Copper; Subcellular partitioning; Toxicity; Zinc