Differences in Cd elimination from Mytilus californianus and Mytilus trossulus soft tissues

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2001-01, Vol.112 (2), p.201-207
• Main Authors: Lares, M.L., Orians, K.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Bivalvia - physiology; Cadmium - pharmacokinetics; Cd elimination; Cd exposure; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on protozoa and invertebrates; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants - pharmacokinetics; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Mussels; Mytilus californianus; Mytilus trossulus; Reference Values
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/S0269-7491(00)00117-2

Mytilus californianus releases Cd more rapidly than Mytilus trossulus which affects interpretation of results from field monitoring studies for Cd, using species of Mytilus. Field results have shown that Mytilus californianus is able to release its Cd concentrations significantly in just a few days. The existing paradigm states that Cd elimination from Mytilus soft tissues is a very slow process. This discrepancy was investigated in the laboratory, testing the effect of two Cd levels (10 and 1 μg l −1) on its release from Mytilus trossulus and M. californianus soft tissues. After exposure to 10 μg l −1, both species showed a significant uptake with no elimination after several days of depuration. After exposure to 1 μg l −1, the responses were different. No significant Cd uptake was seen in M. trossulus while in M. californianus uptake was significant but returned to the background level after just 1 day of depuration. This response of M. californianus is consistent with that reported from field studies. These results are important for environmental monitoring programs since M. californianus has been used as equivalent to other Mytilus species in the assessment of Cd pollution.